| I thought my days of feeding teens were over. | | | | vegetables into recipes. |
| But after my daughter and former son-in-law died | | | | Before I buy cereal I check the fiber content. I |
| in separate car crashes in 2007 I became a GRG | | | | also look for products that contain whole grains. |
| -- grandparent raising grandchildren. Suddenly I | | | | When I plan a meal I think about the fat content |
| was cooking for teens again. It was a hard | | | | and cook with olive oil. The twins are not |
| adjustment and the first thing I had to do was | | | | interested in desserts so we rarely eat them. |
| cook more food. | | | | Teens also need to eat enough calcium. Elizabeth |
| Every other day I go to the grocery store. I am | | | | M. Ward, MS, RD writes about this need in her |
| there so often that many staff members know | | | | WebMD article, "Feeding Your Teenagers: Parents |
| my name. My goal is to feed my grandkids | | | | can Help Teens Learn to Make Healthy Food |
| delicious, nutritious and balanced meals, a goal | | | | Choices." According to Ward, "calcium needs are |
| supported by many dietitians and medical | | | | higher than ever during the teen years." I buy |
| institutions. | | | | calcium-fortified frozen orange juice and keep a |
| Mayo Clinic, in a website article, "Nutrition for Kids: | | | | supply of light yogurt (the twin's favorite snack) |
| Guidelines for a Healthy Diet," lists teen calorie | | | | on hand. |
| needs. Girls who are 15-18 years old require 1,800 | | | | The Rhode Island Department of Health discusses |
| to 2,400 calories per day, depending on their | | | | the importance of nutrition and physical activity in |
| physical activity. Boys who are 15-18 years old | | | | a website article, "Tips on Raising Your Pre-Teens |
| require 2,200 to 3,200 calories per day, depending | | | | and Teens." Regular physical activity and good |
| on their physical activity. My grandchildren were 15 | | | | nutrition go hand in hand, the article notes. The |
| 1/2 when they moved in with my husband and | | | | same is true of senior citizens. We need to stay |
| me. Because my granddaughter was in | | | | physically active and monitor our nutrition. |
| gymnastics (she has graduated now), she ate as | | | | Feeding teens can have a beneficial affect on |
| much as her twin brother. | | | | seniors' health. Like teens, we need to eat at least |
| Teens need to eat enough fiber. Girls need 26 | | | | five servings of fruits and veggies a day, eat |
| grams per day and boys need 38 grams. To | | | | enough fiber, eat enough calcium, include whole |
| increase the twin's fiber intake I try to serve two | | | | grains in our diet, limit fatty foods and sweets. |
| fruits for breakfast, such as orange juice and | | | | But we have to watch our serving sizes. Seniors |
| strawberries. Dinner always includes a vegetable | | | | have lower calorie needs than teens and we |
| and a salad. I always have a jar of unsweetened | | | | cannot eat as much as they do. Darn it! |
| applesauce on hand. When I can, I sneak extra | | | | |