Carbs (technically carbohydrates but it's not like the ohydrates part is important):
Carbs are the fuel for your body and provide you with much needed energy (so before the big saturday party make sure to eat a big bowl of pasta). There are 2 kinds of carbs: simple and complex. Simple carbs are sugars give you quick energy and are found in almost everything. Complex carbs are starch and are found in pastas and grains as well as potatoes and corn. Complex carbs take longer to digest and give a lesser more gradual supply of energy. A lot of people think carbs make you fat but as long as you burn off as many carbs as you eat your golden. Carbs are continuously burned by the body to keep you running through the day but that burning process is increased through excercise. Unused carbs are stored in your body in fat cells and saved to burn off later. Teens need around 1500 to 1800 calories a day and about 600-1000 should come from carbohydrates. There are 4 calories per 1 gram of carbohydrates so around 150 to 300 grams of carbs a day for the average teen (not counting the atheletes who need like waaaaaaaaaaaaay more to stay energized).
Fat (Ewww! like "Super-Size Me!"):
No matter what...even if you're a super model in training...fats are important. *gasp* NORMAL teens need about 2 to 4 servings per day (those who aren't intense and don't work out every 5 minutes *cough cough* you know who you are...) They're important because (ummm... hmm... oh I got one) they store energy for your body (so when you get stuck on a foodless island you won't die...of hunger...as quickly...well, on the bright side you might become a cast member of "Lost"). Another reason they're important is for your hormone system (don't freak out guys). These hormones help fend off invading bacteria, replace dead cells (I see dead people...or cells), control weight, temperature, blood. They also help keep you warm (so when you try to swim off that foodless island in that freezing water...make sure you're fat-tank is full).
1 Serving:
-6 almonds
-10 peanuts
-2 Tbsps cream cheese
-1 tsp oil, margarine, mayonnaise, or butter
-1 Tbsp salad dressing
***IMPORTANT***No cows were used in the making of these servings!!! Yay! (except for that cream cheese and buttery whatnot...oh well, we're only wannabe vegetarians...)
Protein:
*Okay so for normal people, who can't figure out how the heck to work the metric system, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to get your weight in kilograms (kg for those who can't spell).*
Age 15 to 18: 40 to 50 grams a day. You need protein to grow and to maintain your muscles (so if you don't want to be short and wimpy for the rest of your life you need protein). Protein also make up molecules called amino acids and there are nine essential acids that your body cannot make and so needs to take in. For almost vegitarians dairy, poultry, and seafood products are the key protein sources along with beans.
We know its tempting because cow is such a good source of protein but put the burger down and walk over to KFC to get a different protein source. Teens can just as easily get protein from chicken or fish as from cow plus its healthier to do cows and yourself a favor and be an almost vegitarian.
Carbs are the fuel for your body and provide you with much needed energy (so before the big saturday party make sure to eat a big bowl of pasta). There are 2 kinds of carbs: simple and complex. Simple carbs are sugars give you quick energy and are found in almost everything. Complex carbs are starch and are found in pastas and grains as well as potatoes and corn. Complex carbs take longer to digest and give a lesser more gradual supply of energy. A lot of people think carbs make you fat but as long as you burn off as many carbs as you eat your golden. Carbs are continuously burned by the body to keep you running through the day but that burning process is increased through excercise. Unused carbs are stored in your body in fat cells and saved to burn off later. Teens need around 1500 to 1800 calories a day and about 600-1000 should come from carbohydrates. There are 4 calories per 1 gram of carbohydrates so around 150 to 300 grams of carbs a day for the average teen (not counting the atheletes who need like waaaaaaaaaaaaay more to stay energized).
Fat (Ewww! like "Super-Size Me!"):
No matter what...even if you're a super model in training...fats are important. *gasp* NORMAL teens need about 2 to 4 servings per day (those who aren't intense and don't work out every 5 minutes *cough cough* you know who you are...) They're important because (ummm... hmm... oh I got one) they store energy for your body (so when you get stuck on a foodless island you won't die...of hunger...as quickly...well, on the bright side you might become a cast member of "Lost"). Another reason they're important is for your hormone system (don't freak out guys). These hormones help fend off invading bacteria, replace dead cells (I see dead people...or cells), control weight, temperature, blood. They also help keep you warm (so when you try to swim off that foodless island in that freezing water...make sure you're fat-tank is full).
1 Serving:
-6 almonds
-10 peanuts
-2 Tbsps cream cheese
-1 tsp oil, margarine, mayonnaise, or butter
-1 Tbsp salad dressing
***IMPORTANT***No cows were used in the making of these servings!!! Yay! (except for that cream cheese and buttery whatnot...oh well, we're only wannabe vegetarians...)
Protein:
*Okay so for normal people, who can't figure out how the heck to work the metric system, divide your weight in pounds by 2.2 to get your weight in kilograms (kg for those who can't spell).*
Age 15 to 18: 40 to 50 grams a day. You need protein to grow and to maintain your muscles (so if you don't want to be short and wimpy for the rest of your life you need protein). Protein also make up molecules called amino acids and there are nine essential acids that your body cannot make and so needs to take in. For almost vegitarians dairy, poultry, and seafood products are the key protein sources along with beans.
We know its tempting because cow is such a good source of protein but put the burger down and walk over to KFC to get a different protein source. Teens can just as easily get protein from chicken or fish as from cow plus its healthier to do cows and yourself a favor and be an almost vegitarian.
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