Any teenage diet plan can pose a potential health risk, especially in people who have certain medical conditions. It’s imperative, therefore, to seek medical advice before starting such a plan. In most cases, doctors will advise against teenage dieting because it usually is not necessary.

Teens are at a vulnerable stage and take peer pressure very seriously. They worry about their appearance which can cause those who do not have a weight problem to take drastic measures. Skipping meals is not the answer.

The best teenage diet plan provides the proper nutrients that are needed to build healthy bones and maintain overall good health from the inside out. Your doctor can advise you on the best plan for your specific needs.

If you eat junk foods constantly you will not receive the benefits of a good teenage diet plan. Instead, they will be at risk of developing weight-related health problems that include diabetes and heart disease.

Keep in mind that being a little heavy is common in people your age. Most people will lose that excess weight naturally as they grow. Also, everyone is different. What might be a good weight for someone else might not be right for you. You have to consider your bone size, your height, and what is a normal weight for your family.

You can always benefit from eating nutritious meals and avoiding junk food, which contains very little nutrition. Here’s a good teenage diet plan you can follow to reduce your weight if you are overweight.

One important element of a good teenage diet plan is exercise. Sometimes, this is enough. It helps your body to digest the food that you eat. It builds muscle which naturally burns calories. Exercise uses energy that would otherwise turn into fat.

We’ve already talked about avoiding fast foods and any high carbohydrate and sugar-based foods such as candy bars, potato chips and sodas. They have limited to no nutritional value. When eaten, these foods quickly turn to unhealthy fat which can block your blood vessels and arteries.

It’s best to create your teenage diet plan with your doctor’s or parent’s help, especially if you are extra heavy. Refer to healthy eating books and magazines for advice and ideas. Preparing a diet plan that gets results is not that difficult.

Fruits and vegetables: Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables to ensure you get natural minerals. Certain vegetables, like asparagus, will help you to lose weight. Carry small quantities of fruits and vegetables for snacks.

Lean meats: Lean meat can actually help you to lose weight because it takes more energy to digest than other foods. Avoid eating a lot of red meat because it contains more fat than other meats and is harder to digest. Choose chicken or fish instead. Eat a small amount every day.

Milk and cheese: These two foods provide much needed calcium. Skim milk has less fat than 100% milk but with all the goodness. Cheese is another food that can actually help you to lose weight because it boosts your metabolism.

Water: Water is essential, especially when you’re exercising. It’s about the only food you can eat that is guaranteed non-fattening.

Rather than eating three large meals a day, switch to 4-6 smaller meals a day. This will keep your body’s metabolism working and prevent the food from turning to fat.

Remember that the best teenage diet plan involves eating less more often, and getting lots of exercise.

Rooibos Tea – The Healthy Drink
Nettie Mae

Rooibos, or Red Bush Tea as it is also known, is not a true tea but an herb which is indigenous to the Cederburg area of South Africa. Due to its widely publicized health benefits it has grown into a billion dollar export industry since the mid twentieth century.

The tea has no caffeine and only half the tannin of ordinary tea. Apart from being refreshing to drink, in place of ordinary tea and coffee, it has the advantage of containing minerals and powerful antioxidants. Having no oxalic acid it also does not irritate the kidneys.

Japanese scientists, doing studies in the 1960’s, discovered Rooibos contains a powerful antioxidant similar to SOD which is thought to retard aging and quercetin (Q10) which is believed to have potent anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, Rooibos is also found to contain aspalathin which counteracts the atherosclerotic processes that result in heart disease. For these reasons, the Japanese promote it as an Anti-Aging Tea and import large quantities of the tea.

Research done in France found that hair lotion containing Rooibos promoted faster hair growth with improvement in the hair condition and caused no allergic reactions.

In South Africa research found that the polyphenol content in Rooibos is similar to green tea. Polyphenols help protect the body from damage by free radicals.

Rooibos has been found to be helpful with general health problems. It relieves digestive problems, nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and constipation. Having a calming effect it helps with irritability, insomnia and depression.

Both pre-natal and breast feeding Mothers can use it to supplement their intake of manganese, calcium and fluoride by drinking Rooibos therefore promote strong teeth and healthy bones in their babies. Rooibos, when applied at every diaper change, can relieve diaper rash and, when drank by the baby, relieves colic.

Preparation of Rooibos is the same as ordinary tea. First warm the tea pot with boiling water and then place one teaspoon of tea or tea bag per cup required in the pot. Pour over boiling water and let infuse for a few minutes. The longer it is left before drinking the more antioxidants the tea will contain. Can be served plain, with hot or cold milk or lemon. It can be lightly sweetened with honey or sugar or just left without any sweetening. Rooibos also makes a wonderful ice tea.

In South Africa Rooibos Tea is often used in day to day cooking as not only does it add important minerals and antioxidants to the diet and help digestion, it also enhances the flavors of the cooking. Just replace the water in a recipe with the tea.

Next time you are in your health shop or in a department store stocking specialty teas, why not pick up a packet and try it out?
About the Author

Sick and tired of being Sick and Tired, Nettie Mae quit her 3rd shift factory job. To see what keeps her going, visit http://www.frutavida4u.com/nettiemae/.