The Magic Combination 

I’m sure we all wish that the healthy foods could also be the tasty ones. But they can be. The biggest barrier to get over is thinking that “healthy” only means steamed broccoli and tasteless chicken breasts. There’s a way to eat really well and enjoy it; you might even forget that fast food is a thing after you read the meal suggestions we provide towards the end of this article. 

But first: here are some basic healthy food guidelines for teens. ChooseMyPlate.org, the government’s approved nutritional advice, recommends that teens should get their foods from these sources: 

1. Grains: Whole grains—like whole-wheat bread and brown rice—provide B vitamins, minerals, and fiber to help you feel fuller longer and concentrate better
2. Vegetables: Veggies—peppers, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions—are chock full of so many vitamins and fiber essential for growth. (Put them on a veggie pizza!)
3. Milk: Teenagers need the calcium, protein, and vitamin D in milk for strong bones, teeth, and muscles. Yes, low-fat chocolate milk counts here!
4. Protein: Protein doesn’t necessarily mean a bacon cheeseburger. You can get protein and iron from a variety of foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, peas, eggs, nuts, and seeds.
5. Fruit: Chock full of Vitamin A, C, and fiber, it’s probably not hard to say yes to yummy fruits like pineapples, apples, and berries. Better yet, make a fruit smoothie with a cup of your favorite fruit, milk, and a tablespoon of peanut butter. 

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