Do you believe kids should be taking a lot of care to their diets?

I'm a teen and although I try to eat healthy (I eat whole grain bread in my daily sandwich for lunch at school, eat a banana everyday and an apple as well whenever possible, I take a multivitamin and drink enough milk, occasionally I eat lentils, beans, and curry made from milk because I'm Indian), sometimes I wonder if there are more important things in life besides obsessing about health. I realize that youth only comes ONCE and sometimes it depresses me that I don't eat candy anymore and nor do I drink sodas (sodas I don't really care for, though). I don't want to be forty years old and regret not having fun as a kid. Even now, I think about how carefree I used to be as a child and wonder if I'm sucking the fun out of my teenage years by being so health-conscious. I know it's not a bad thing and I won't remove any of the healthy stuff, but do you think I should try to enjoy and drink chocolate milk sometimes or eat a Reese's each day or something...before it's too late?

It's all about portion control. I think it's great that you care about your health at a young age because as you get older, it is a lot harder to lose weight. Plus there are so many health problems that are related to obesity. I don't think there is anything wrong with enjoying things like candy, soda, ect., but you're young and if you want to have a long, healthy life, then eat those things in moderation and stay active.

yes, you should enjoy the tasty things in life too...don't cut it all out completely...

Of course..throw some chocolate in there for moderation. But you sound like you are on a great path to healthiness. Don't end up throwing that away, you will appreciate that more in your latter years more so than regretting not eating crap food.

Sounds to me that you've got it together in your diet.
I Cr 13;8a

Yes I do because this is the stage where kids should grow up.If anything wrong happens, this may affect our future health. Even though you are very health conscious, find time to enjoy your childhood. Eating candies and the like is okay as long as it's not too much. You should regulate your intake of junkfood and sweets. Continue eating healthy food...

Your off to a good life and I wish i am as healthy as you. Just stay away from a lot of bad foods and get closer to good ones. Try fish, its tasty and perfectly healthy. Its O.K to drink soda every once in a while and I don't recommend having junk food more the 1 once per two weeks. Your child life is where it all starts. Your going to be very healthy some day if you stay on this track and live a lot longer then others. Oh and stay away from to much Trans fat. I wish i were as healthy as you. If your depressed from lack of candy and soda that means you were and probably are addicted. Try drinking a lot juices with not as much sugar then other drinks and have lots of water everyday. It helps get rid of your addiction and I am just as tired as you probably are of hearing "drink so much water per day" but it really works and you'll feel a lot better. Chocolate milk wont hurt much. Just make sure theres no sugar. Same with a Reese's but don't live off of it. Hope everything turns out O.K.

being healthy is all about balance not about restriction. being a kid/teen is not an excuse to consume a lot of candy just because a person is young, that is how bad habits get started. the majority of overweight teens grow up to be overweight adults.

as a teen (im one too) we need to work out pretty often, and eat right, because our bodies are changing and its easier to gain weight at this point, plus u need nutrients to grow. BUT ur right, u can't be strict all the time. don't let loose, but let urself have that candy bar everyonce in a while, if ur out with ur friends, eat unhealthy....just have self-control. u get what im saying? u can't eat junk food all the time, u'd be as big as a house and malnourished. at the same time, quench that sweet tooth. u've got to maintain a good balance, mostly nutritious food, but some nice delicious junk food.
its really odd, one of my closest friends is Indian and she loves Reeses too! :)

Yes, I think people need to be aware of how and what they are eating but as a life style and not as an obsession.
Try this site for ideas on eating healthfully and staying fit. I use it, it's FREE. If you do sign up, Please tell them Honeybea sent you. Thanks!

Yea, I hear ya.

Personally, I like pastries, pie, and milkshakes much more than candy and soda, but whatever you like works.

I remember the excuse I used to actually indulge very clearly: the top of the pyramid in oils and sugars says "use sparingly" not "use with caution". It's not going to kill you to eat something sweet or snack on some treats occasionally.

Thing is if you make it a regular indulgence, whatever you're eating loses its.... distinction. It's not because you develop a tolerance to it or because you get addicted. It's because you're mind doesn't go through the whole anticipation period of preparing to cherish that special flavor.

Yes, you should indulge, but don't do it on a cycle or regular basis. The whole idea is to easily enjoy yourself rather than to work at pleasing yourself (nevermind how you'll fall out of shape by constantly snacking).

Bon Appetit!

I think the mistake is to equate food with fun. Food is essential to sustain life, why is it fun?. Try to think of other ways to have fun, eat to live, dont live to eat.