Healthy living
Healthy living doesn’t mean giving up all your favourite foods and becoming a gym freak – it’s all about keeping your mind and body working properly. Use this section to find out more...
Healthy eating
Eating disorders
Healthy exercise
Healthy eating
Eating healthily has a positive effect on your physical and mental health. Think of food as fuel for your body. You need to put in the right sorts of fuel in the right amounts to get the best performance from your body and mind.
What should I eat?
As a teenager, your body experiences rapid growth. Ideally, your diet should include foods that are rich in protein (for growth), vitamins (for health), calcium (for strong bones and teeth) and carbohydrates (for energy).
No single food provides all the things that your body needs to stay healthy and function properly - so the best diet is a varied and balanced one.
For more information on healthy eating, visit:
www.connexions-direct.com
www.eatwell.gov.uk/agesandstages/teens/
www.5aday.nhs.uk
www.bbc.co.uk/health/healthy_living
Eating disorders
A healthy diet is about getting a good balance so your mind and body are working well and you’re enjoying life - it’s not about being perfect.
Some people worry too much about their weight or use their eating habits as a way of dealing with stress and unhappiness. It can be easy to cross the line from sensible eating to having an eating disorder.
What is an eating disorder?
The most common forms of eating disorders in young people are:
- anorexia
- bulimia nervosa
- over eating
Here are some clues about what to look for in terms of an eating disorder:
- frequently skipping meals
- eating only low calorie food
- dramatic gains / losses of weight
- large amounts of food going missing from the house
- exercising obsessively
If you think you (or someone you know) may have an eating disorder – then it’s important to get help. Contact a Connexions Personal Adviser in school / college or at your local Connexions Centre, or get in touch with an Adviser (between 8am and 2am) via Connexions Direct.
For more information on eating disorders, visit:
www.connexions-direct.com
www.thesite.org/healthandwellbeing
www.b-eat.co.uk - To talk to an adviser, phone the Youthline on 0845 634 7650 (Monday to Friday 4.30pm - 6.30pm and Saturdays 1pm to 4.30pm) or e-mail talkback@edauk.com, or text 07 977 493 345
Healthy exercise
Regular exercise is important for your general health, your bone development, your circulation and your posture. It also increases your energy levels.
There are lots of ways you can take exercise – try to find something you enjoy such as dancing, skateboarding, swimming, trampolining. mountain biking – or a mixture of lots of different activities! Even walking is good for you (whether round the park or round the shops…) so try to walk as much as you can on a regular basis. Why not check out the Freetime section of this website.
If you haven’t exercised for ages you need to take it slowly at first and build up to a level that will keep you fit. Once you’re fit, it’s still important not to overdo it.
Your bones, joints and tendons are still growing and developing in your teens, and excessive workouts and weight training can cause permanent damage.
For more information on exercise, ideas on how you can build up your fitness levels and different activities you can try, visit:
Connexions Direct
BBC Health Site
BBC Extreme Sports
Direct.gov
English Federation for Disability Sport
The Site
