As your teenager gets older, they are likely to develop more independence and accumulate pocket money. This will allow children to make choices about the foods they eat and when they eat. This may result in children eating more highly processed foods due to their low costs, popularity and availability. Processed foods are often high in salt, sugar or saturated fats and lack key nutritional value. 

To limit this intake for your teenager, you can:

• role model healthy food purchasing and choices
• avoid using highly processed foods or takeaway as a reward
• encourage healthy choices
• educate your child on how to have a balanced, nutritious diet. See Nutrition for more information.

Online influences, unrealistic beauty standards, or negative body image could lead teenagers to consider starting diets or limiting their food intake. Diets or restricting certain food groups without medical advice may lead to nutrient deficiencies that can negatively impact your teenager's overall health and wellbeing. 

See Lifestyle diets for more information.

Consumption of energy drinks has become increasingly popular among teenagers. However, the biggest concern for this population group surrounds the level of sugar and caffeine within products. Children under 14 are not advised to consume caffeine. For teenagers aged 14 to 17, intake should be 100mg of caffeine or below. 

See Energy drinks and caffeine levels for more information.

Tap water is recommended as the best drink of choice and is essential for hydration. Active children should be encouraged to drink regularly to make sure they do not feel thirsty. Children should be encouraged to keep a water bottle with them and to drink during activities such as sports as well as in the classroom.

Children aged 9 to 13 years are recommended to have 6 cups, or 1.5 litres of water per day.

Children aged 14 to 18 years are recommended to have 7+ cups, or 1.8 litres of water per day.