I’m giving a talk tomorrow morning to a group of high school students. It is a PE class, and these are mostly seniors who need to meet their requirements to graduate. I’d love to get them excited about health and their nutrition.
My two goals, for them or anyone, is to help them make conscious choices and to tune in to how their choices make them feel.
A good teen example might be an energy drink. If they drink it because it is there, all their friends are drinking them or because they always have one in the morning, then it is not a conscious choice. It’s an automatic response.
If they have the energy drink because they are feeling tired that morning, then it is a conscious choice. In my mind it is still not a very good choice, and that is why it is important to tune in to how it makes them feel.
I’ve never had one myself, but I imagine that it would give them a rush of edgy energy. Lots of jittery energy, and then a crash. (Studies show that the high levels of caffeine in energy drinks can be both addictive and toxic.)
An even better way to get energy is to have a good breakfast. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein foods provide ongoing energy that feels good inside of us and keeps us going.
And ultimately, that seems like the reason that eating well matters. It is true that eating well keeps us healthy for longer and reduces our risk for most diseases. Still, it is easier to stay motivated when you can see benefits now.
Which is the beauty of eating well – we do get benefits now. Pay attention, and you’ll notice that when you don’t make healthy food choices that you don’t feel as good, especially over time.
I’ve worked with teens that skip breakfast, and possibly lunch, do sports, and then are exhausted by evening. There is a good reason – they are running on low fuel! Regular meals and healthy choices will up their energy considerably.
Healthy eating matters because it gives us energy now. It keeps us feeling alert, energetic and like we can fully enjoy the day. Life is more fun when we feel good.
Find more nutrition information and my monthly newsletter on my website: http://healthyhabitscoach.com . Eat Sustainably!
