Food for high schoolers

[amyloo]

My co-worker's kids are in junior high and high school, and quite overweight. He's trying to change the family's eating habits, and asked for my input since he sees me eating healthily all the time.
How would it be best for school age kids to plan meals, clean food being a given? Should they try to have a small snack in between classes? Or just breakfast, lunch, then snack and dinner? I was thinking that they could take almonds to eat mid morning, and maybe a homemade protein bar mid afternoon. They are both in sports. They are active, just have really bad eating habits.

[fitness926]

well my sister is in high school and super busy with school, dance (20+hrs a week) and a part time job. She asked me to help her eat clean

this is what she loves
m1: 1 protein shake w/ fruit blended, (on her drive to school)
m2: 1 mozz stick w/ 1/4 c. nuts (between classes)
m3: lunch (varies) usually, 1 salmon pack (like the tuna packs), fruit, celery with natty pb, sometimes she'll cook brown rice the night before and then heat it up in the mirco wave at school. she sometimes brings grilled chicken salads and asks one of her friends to get her cottage cheese in the salad bar line
m4: grilled chicken sandwich on Ezekial bread, or sf yogurt and fruit or veggies-driving to one of many activities after school
m5: left over dinner that my parents had (usually very healthy-my fam eats really well) protein, veggies, fruit

she's 17 and very active, doesn't lift b/c of ballet, but has sooo much more energy now that she eats better

her diet before was terrible however she was still underweight and eating prob 3000 cals a day! go figure

[Mandy]

Well, my question lies in whether the kids are okay with changing their eating habits or whether they would oppose it. I know that in High School I was a little overweight, but not too much and I would not change my eating habits at the time. I wish I had now that I think of it, but nothing was going to make me change eating a fruit rollup and a can of some juice that I forget the name. I'd get home and gorge myself.

I'm thinking that if they would oppose it, it's a losing battle during school hours, but even changes at home will help immensely.

[PinkGlitter86]

I agree w/Mandy in that small changes at home will lead to change in mindset, if not at this point in their life, then down the road.

I would just recommend keeping healthy, clean food in the house, not allowing junk to be brought in, preparing clean, portion-controlled meals. Kids are going to do whatever they want when not in the control of the parents, so I think your co-worker should just focus on what he can change at the moment. :)

[amyloo]

Mandy, that's a good point. I'm not sure how motivated they truly are. He's motivated for them but only because he wants them to get sports scholarships. And honestly, I have my doubts that many changes will be made on the home front. I'm going to offer up the clean foods list and see how that goes over.