Just seeing the term junk in junk food, we know its not good for us, but how come when we were at an early age, we didnt really care whether were putting junk into our mouths?
Teenage years is the transition from being a child to adulthood, so there is also that thin line of doing what you want to do versus what your parents tell you. Adolescents think that there is some level of freedom to think on your own in between that transition. As parents, we always want the best for our kids at this early stage and inculcate discipline in school, whatever work is being done, among others with more hopefully applied to self. But we cant deny the fact that as parents, we also have a soft heart for all the likings of our own child, sometimes missing the line between whats good and whats bad. We consider the latter as not so good rather than just plainly bad. This is where in some instances, we become a little lenient when it comes to food and what type of food we allow our children to have.
A little junk food could not hurt me or my child. A can of soda, a bag of chips while watching TV just could not really cause any serious long term problems. Its true that it wont cause any serious problems as early as now, but once this becomes a habit, whether daily or more than once a week, this can cause some serious health issues that the teenager may come across as they go to school until they graduate and mature.
Watching TV or when theyre focused on some computer game or video while eating is not advisable. This is because teenagers will definitely become sedentary as they do this, lose track of the time, more so how much they consume/ eat while in front of the TV screen. They lack the physical activity needed daily, would not care how much salt or sugar is in the bag of chips or is in the soda can, and all they would care for is that they are enjoying themselves for the time being. Theyre too young to worry about these things healthy or not and yet have some level of liberty and maturity to do what they want and can.
Its still our call as parents to discipline at this early stage on what has to be in the pantry or not, and how much time should be used in front of the TV or the computer. Lets go for better food selections at home, less of the processed food and more of the fruits and vegetables. We can also equip ourselves with better awareness by taking some
courses on nutrition as well for ourselves, our family and even as a source of good income. This will not only contribute to better health of your teenagers, but will also develop better family bonding and relationships at home.
