5 Methods Teenagers Can Get Extra Fruits and Greens Into Their Diets

Buying organic foods, which tend to cost more than traditional foods, is not strictly necessary, he added.

In 2012, the AAP published a clinical report that found that diets high in organic, dairy and meat products could reduce exposure to pesticides and potentially drug-resistant bacteria. However, there is no evidence that organic foods offer more nutritional benefits than conventional foods.

“What is most important is that children eat healthily, rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat or fat-free dairy products, whether they are conventional or organic,” one of the report’s lead authors said in a press release at the time.

You can also save money by buying fruits and vegetables in bulk. For example, a 3-pound bag of organic gala apples at Whole Foods in Brooklyn costs $ 4.99. If you were to buy the same amount of apples individually it would cost about $ 7.50.

Vanessa Rissetto, a registered nutritionist and acting director of the Diet Internship program at New York University, also suggested other money-saving tips: Sharing a community-supported farm membership with another family can be cheaper than owning one to buy. Or you can buy fruits and vegetables from companies that offer “ugly” organic products at high discounts.

Even if your child is not attending school in person, check to see if school lunches are still available that must include fruits and vegetables, said Diane Harris, a senior health scientist at the CDC and one of the study’s authors.

Keeping plenty of easily accessible fruit and vegetable options in your home can increase the chances of your teen choosing nutritious foods to nibble on, the experts say.

“Teens tend to be hungry and often search for food in the kitchen and pantry,” said Dr. Natalie D. Muth, a pediatrician and nutritionist in Carlsbad, California, snacking on them. This works especially when there aren’t many other processed snacks readily available. “

Comments are closed.