| Nutrition comes primarily from what a person eats and | | | | becoming overly hungry between meals that can lead |
| drinks. Some people supplement their nutrition by taking | | | | to over eating at mealtime. |
| vitamins. Autistic teenagers, as well as teenagers | | | | Protein is supplied by meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, |
| without autism, need healthy nutrition and a level of | | | | eggs and nuts. When cooking meat it is best to either |
| exercise that is very important to meet the demands | | | | bake, broil, or grill. This decreases the fat content. |
| of their growing body. | | | | Vegetables supply the body with vitamin A and C, and |
| The best nutritional plan for everyone is to eat a | | | | minerals like iron and magnesium, also fiber. Be sure to |
| healthy variety of foods at the proper portion | | | | have good color variety, light ad dark green, yellow, |
| throughout the day. The amount of food a person | | | | red, orange, white and purple. |
| needs will vary depending on their level of activity. An | | | | Fruits provide vitamin A and C and potassium. Avoid |
| active person, such as an autistic young teenage adult, | | | | canned with HEAVY SYRUP because of the high |
| requires a higher caloric intake to meet the demands | | | | sugar content. Again, have a variety of colors, red, |
| of their body using up that energy faster. A less active | | | | yellow, green, purple, orange, blue. |
| person, needs proper nutrition in smaller amounts. This | | | | Grains provide energy in the form of complex |
| will decrease the risk of these extra calories being | | | | carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals and fiber. This can be |
| stored in their body as fat. | | | | found in breads, cereals, rice, pasta and nuts. |
| Many young boys have a period of time when their | | | | During the daytime PAY ATTENTION TO THE |
| body rapidly grows. During this time the teen may | | | | SERVING SIZE on the labels. This is a good guide. It is |
| have an endless appetite. Boys have a growth spurt | | | | also helpful to eat the majority of your foods earlier in |
| beginning at ages 12 to 13. This growth peaks around | | | | the day rather than late at night. During the daytime |
| age 14 and usually ends at about age 19. During this | | | | we are more active and the use of calories for the |
| time their hormones change, and their muscles, bones | | | | energy needed throughout the day seem to wear off |
| and even their brain continues to grow. It is not | | | | sooner than at night. |
| uncommon for a teenage boy to gain between 37 and | | | | Autistic young adults may take certain medications to |
| 40 pounds during these years. Some of this weight | | | | help their brain function the best it can, this adds the |
| varies depending on how tall or muscular they | | | | challenge of maintaining a proper weight. The |
| become. | | | | medications tend to add weight so it is best to help |
| The food should be a good balance of vitamins and | | | | them with a healthy nutritional plan and regular |
| minerals. Their bones need a good source of calcium. | | | | exercise. It may be an excellent idea to discuss with |
| Most people get their calcium from drinking low fat milk | | | | your physician or experts in this field. |
| (1 or 2%), through orange juice with added calcium, and | | | | Exercise on a regular basis is important to everyone. It |
| low fat cheeses (mozzarella string cheese is a | | | | not only helps with weight control, but also keeps our |
| favorite for many.) Dairy products not only provide | | | | bodies flexible. Exercise provides strength to our |
| calcium they are also a good source of protein. Milk is | | | | muscles/bones, helps us calm down and think clearer, |
| a good source of vitamin D. | | | | breathe better and in general feel good. This applies to |
| Snacking is important to maintain the energy supple the | | | | autistic teenagers as well. |
| body needs. This also helps prevent the teen from | | | | |