Nourishing the Next Generation

Adolescence marks a phase of steady physical development and mental shaping.

- SHRUTI SHARMA

From height gain and muscle growth to emotional fluctuations and academic demands, this period brings wide-ranging biological shifts. Nutrition directly influences these changes.

A balanced diet supports energy, clarity, and stable health in a way no external intervention can substitute. Food habits formed between the ages of 10 and 19 tend to continue into adult life. For this reason alone, what pre-teens and teens consume should be viewed with a long-term focus. The purpose is not strict control, but consistency, adequacy, and access to the right variety of foods.

UNDERSTANDING NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Adolescents need more calories, but where those calories come from makes a difference. Carbohydrates are the main energy source and work best when they come from whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and legumes. These help avoid energy crashes during the school day or after physical activity.

Protein is required for the development of muscle mass and for repair. This comes from pulses, dairy, eggs, fish, or lean meat. Fats, though often misunderstood, remain essential, especially those from nuts, seeds, oils, and fish.