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Daily dietary guidelines for children 14-18 years

Teenagers need a wide variety of healthy foods from the 5 food groups. How much food teenagers need depends on body size and activity levels.

Teenagers aged 14-18 years should aim for 2 serves of fruit; 5-5½ serves of vegies; 3½ serves of dairy; 7 serves of grains; and 2½ serves of lean meats, eggs, nuts, seeds or legumes.

Teens need 6-8 cups (1.6-1.9 L) of fluid a day and extra on hot or humid days or if they sweat a lot. Water is the best drink for teens. They can also have milk.

Teens should avoid soft drinks, fruit juices, flavoured milk or water, sports drinks, energy drinks, tea and coffee. Teens aged under 18 years shouldn’t drink alcohol.

Food groups: daily serves of fruit, vegetables, cereals and grains

Fruit: 1 serve = 1 medium apple, banana, orange or pear; or 2 small plums, kiwi fruits or apricots; or 1 cup diced or canned fruit (no added sugar). Offer 2 serves a day.

Vegetables: 1 serve = ½ a medium potato (or sweet potato or corn); or ½ cup cooked vegies (like broccoli, spinach, carrots, pumpkin); or 1 cup green leafy or raw salad vegies; or ½ cup cooked, dried or canned beans, legumes or lentils. Offer 5-5½ serves a day.

Cereal and grains: 1 serve = 1 slice of bread; or ½ cup cooked rice, pasta, noodles, quinoa or polenta; or ½ cup porridge; or ⅔ cup wheat cereal flakes; or ¼ cup muesli; or 1 crumpet or small English muffin. Wholegrain is best. Offer 7 serves a day.

Food groups: daily serves of dairy, protein and healthy fats

Dairy: 1 serve = 1 cup (250 ml) pasteurised cow’s milk; or 1 cup dairy alternative like soy or rice milk with at least 100 mg of added calcium per 100 ml; or 2 slices cheese; or ¾ cup (200 gm) yoghurt; or ½ cup ricotta cheese. Choose mostly reduced-fat dairy. Offer 3½ serves a day.

Meat, fish, poultry, eggs, nuts, seeds, legumes: 1 serve = 65 gm cooked lean beef, lamb, veal or pork (weekly max. 455 gm); 80 gm cooked lean chicken or turkey; or 100 gm cooked fish fillet; or 170 gm cooked tofu; or 2 large eggs; or 1 cup cooked lentils, chickpeas or canned beans; or 30 gm (1½ tablespoons) peanuts, cashews, sunflower seeds or sesame seeds. Offer 2½ serves a day.

Healthy fats: you can include 2 serves of unsaturated fat in cooking, baking, pastes or dressings. 1 serve = 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 gm) of oil like olive, canola and rice bran oil or margarine made from these oils; 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 gm) of nut or seed pastes; or 1 tablespoon (20 gm) of avocado.

Avoid foods like cakes, biscuits, chips, lollies, processed meats, and fried or takeaway foods. They’re high in saturated fat, sugar and salt.

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