Get Smart: A Teen's Quest for Nutrition

Introduction: More and more, teenagers are spending time away from their families. Whether they are at work, at school, or hanging out with their friends, most teens can be seen as very busy people.

With such an on-the-go lifestyle, fewer teenagers make it home for meals and must make their own choices about food. Such independence is a welcome change; however, there are teens who often do not make the best food choices away from home.

Here are a few questions about nutrition that challenge teens today:

• What are the basic food groups?
• What foods go in each category?
  
• What is the difference between good and bad fats?
  
• What portion size is the right for each food?
• How can they make sense of food labels?
• What are the right foods to eat before exercising or playing sports?
  
• How do teens know what fast food choices are healthy?
  
• How do they know about portion sizes?
  
• Why is soda so bad for you?
  
• What are empty calories?
  
• What are Go, Slow, and Whoa foods?
  
• What is the difference between grains and whole grains?
• Why is breakfast so important?

At the completion of this quest, teens will have the knowledge to choose healthier alternatives when it comes to meals that fit their busy lifestyles.