In adolescence, it can be challenging to live with the changes happening to the body. A teen may feel upset by changes in weight, height, or shape. Teen body image is important, so developing a positive body image is the key to getting through these changes healthily. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we know that healthy eating habits are just a part of the equation for teens who may struggle with disordered eating. We’re here to help keep them on track. Please contact 866.300.5275 to speak to the experts at Foothills at Red Oak Recovery to learn about the treatment options available.
What Are Good Ways to Promote Healthy Eating Habits?
There are many ways to promote healthy teen eating habits. One of them is to make sure you support healthy eating at home. A teen who only has access to junk food may have a much harder time adapting to a healthy meal than one who has always eaten various foods.
At home, try to serve meals with various foods, such as some fruit, vegetables, meat, starches, and grains. Encourage your teen to drink water instead of sweetened drinks and sodas.
Beyond eating healthier in your household, you can do a few other things to promote healthy eating. They include:
- Avoiding eating out
- Talking to your child about good nutrition, the food pyramid, and how the body processes different nutrients or ingredients in the foods you eat today
- Cutting back on sweets in your household
Eating better is just one aspect of helping teens who need disordered eating treatment or to develop better body images. A positive teen body image also comes from promoting healthy appearances.
How Can You Promote a Healthy Body Image at Home?
A great way to promote a healthy body image is by making sure your teen gets plenty of praise. If they are overweight or out of shape, encourage changes in eating or adding exercise, but don’t mock them or what they look like ideally. They should be accepted and loved as they are, and then you can support them on their journey to healthier eating and activities.
Be Cautious of Social Media
Parents should be cautious about allowing their teens on social media, especially using groups that focus on calorie restriction or “thinspiration.” Both of these groups can be highly negative and lead to a negative body image if your teen doesn’t fit a group’s idea of what looks good or healthy.
For example, many thinspiration posts are actually from people who struggle with disordered eating or focus on calorie restriction. There are posts and videos about eating only a few grains of rice or drinking only water for days on end. This content isn’t setting a positive example for teens, who are, at this age, at their most impressionable in terms of body image.
At home, parents should promote body positivity. Encourage your child to be happy with who they are, but if they want to change, then support them in making positive changes to better their health.
Contact Foothills at Red Oak Recovery Today
If your child or a teen you know is struggling with disordered eating or a co-occurring disorder and needs support, then it’s time to look into disordered eating treatment. Adolescence is a difficult time to maintain a positive body image, but it is possible. At Foothills at Red Oak Recovery, we have a program for male teens dealing with eating disorders and other issues. Our programs allow teens to learn healthy ways to manage their health and wellness. Contact us today at 866.300.5275 to speak with one of our counselors about getting support for disordered eating or other body image-related issues.
