The Chicago Reporter

    What’s more important for you to listen to, your wallet or your body?

    We all face this question everyday, and usually you listen to your wallet since it’s in charge of what is available to you that day. All day, everyday you run from class to class just waiting for lunch and then you have to decide, which way are you going to go? Are you going to buy lunch off campus since you have that kind of privilege? Are you going to just get lunch in the cafeteria (which isn’t as inexpensive as you wish)? Or are you going to skip lunch all together and wait until you get home? Now, I know none of these options really sound very appealing, but many teens don’t have the choice because they don’t think ahead. However, when you think ahead you should consider these little fun facts. They speak for themselves!

• The daily recommended count of calories is 2,200 for girls and somewhere around 2,500 to 2,800 for guys and when you eat over that amount your body then translates the extra calories to fat, creating an increase in obesity.
• In several research studies, eating large amounts of junk food is linked to behavior disorders in kids and teens.
• Junk food and type 2 diabetes are also commonly paired together, because in research studies the high quantity of sugar, if eaten regularly, can cause diabetes.
• Also, as teens get older the negative effects of eating junk food follows you and can cause heart problems.

    Now, if you’re not ready to accept that junk food is never a friend, then maybe the mayor from “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” can ...

   

    Now, maybe I’m over-exaggerating, but the sooner you understand that junk food isn’t a friend then I may be able to help you prevent from becoming as fat as the mayor. All you need to do is relax and try some tasty treats that are inexpensive and nutritious. Here are a couple:

    Food allergy-friendly (For my fellow hypo-allergic teens)

• Soy yogurt (or regular yogurt which ever you prefer!)
• Strawberry and banana smoothie
• Nutrigrain bars (I love strawberry and apple cinnamon)
• Fruits (I love peaches, kiwi, strawberry, watermelon, and nectarine)
• Veggies (I like broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, and asparagus)

    For the general public

• Celery with peanut butter and raisins
• Homemade trail mix (easy to make with granola, oats, peanuts, walnuts, raisins, and just a few chocolate chips)
• Yogurt mixed with granola
• Walnuts, cashews, and other nuts (nuts, in general, have tons of calories that are great for snacking)

    So these snacks will help you get started, but before you know it you’ll make your own healthy snacks and you’re free to post your recipes on the comment board. And for help try these tips for when you’re eating out.

• Don’t get soda, try tea, water, lemonade (better than soda), milk, or a smoothie
• Avoid chicken nuggets; they have the leftover parts of the chicken in them
• Say “no” to fries and get fresh veggies or don’t get a side at all.

    Okay, well, that’s all I have to say today but always remember that a habit is easy to start and hard to break. So take it one step at a time!

--Franchesca