by Annie M Manzi

Created on: November 04, 2008   Last Updated: November 05, 2008

Teenagers are the perfect snack eating machines munching their way through anything that tastes good to them. However what tastes good to them is not necessarily healthy for them. Teens love to eat junk food; foods that are high in fat, sugar, salt and calories and empty in nutrition. The trick to getting them to snack on healthy wholesome foods is to have nutritious, easy to grab and eat foods readily available at all times.

One of the reasons junk food is so popular, is that it is prepackaged and doesn't need much if any preparation to eat. Making healthy food more accesble is a key component to getting teens to eat it. That and not stocking the house with junk food to tempt them with. If both healthy and junk foods are readily available, most teens will choose the junk food to eat. It is important that parents be good role models and snack wisely and in a healthy manner too.

When stocking up on snack foods it is best to stay away from simple carbohydrates that are loaded with sugars or foods that are made with processed carbohydrates such as any type of breads made solely with white wheat. Avoid high fat foods especially those made with trans fats and ones that are loaded with salt. Provide complex carbohydrates such as whole-grain breads, cereals and fruits, and protein rich foods such as nuts, nut butters, and dairy products.

Without a doubt you should keep nutritious fresh fruits and vegetables on hand that are washed and ready to pick up and eat or go. Vegetables can be pre-cut to make it easier for teens to grab and eat. Any fruit or vegetable that a teen likes is good to eat. A teen can eat as many plain vegetables as they want and get that "crunch" factor that they crave. The following make great snacking food that your teen is likely to enjoy and they can eaten plain or with a favorite low calorie dressing or dip:

* Fruits such as seedless grapes, pineapple chunks in a can with its own juice or fresh pineapple, fresh or canned peaches (or nectarines), fresh or canned pears, strawberries, other berries that are fresh or frozen, and oranges, tangerines or Clementine's or canned mandarin oranges.

* Dried fruit; dates, figs, pineapple, mango, cranberries, raisins, and blueberries, mangoes and bananas, and apples

* Vegetables such as carrot sticks or baby carrots, celery, cucumbers or zucchini sticks, broccoli, cauliflower, grape tomatoes, green, yellow, orange or red peppers, and uncooked or blanched fresh green beans

THE FOLLOWING ARE MORE FOODS THAT ARE HEALTHY

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