The school cafeteria is open before school for breakfast
The school cafeteria is open periods 4 - 8 for lunch
Vending machines are available throughout the day
They are located outside of both gyms and an additional vending machine has been placed in the music hall wing
What if a student can't purchase food during the day?
Students are able to bring lunch from home
Students should bring additional snacks with them to have available throughout the day; especially if they are involved in extra-curricular activities
Importance of Healthy Eating for Teens by ADAM CLOE Last Updated: Nov 04, 2015
Adolescence is a time of growth for children, for both physical and mental development. A healthy diet is essential for teenagers because of their heightened nutritional needs, but also because the foods they eat as teenagers can impact their health when they reach adulthood. Healthy eating also promotes good food habits to last a lifetime.
Calories Teenagers need to consume more calories because their bodies are growing rapidly. According to HealthyChildren.org, adolescents need more calories each day than at any other point in their lives. In general, teenage boys need to consume 2,800 calories each day and teenage girls need to consume 2,200 calories per day. These caloric needs are even higher for teens who play sports or are otherwise very physically active.
Nutrients Teenagers should eat foods in the right proportions. Approximately 50 to 60 percent of the calories should come from carbohydrates, HealthyChildren.org notes, with the majority of these coming from complex carbohydrates. Fat should make up less than 30 percent of a teenager's calories. These guidelines will also ensure that teenagers get enough protein, which is notable because teenagers consume, on average, twice as much protein as they need, HealthyChildren.org reports.
Vitamins and Minerals Vitamins and minerals are also critical for teenagers because they are needed to help the body make new tissues and function properly. Teenagers should eat a variety of foods, especially fruits and vegetables, to make sure that they get all of the vitamins they need. Milk is a healthier choice than sodas for most teenagers because it provides calcium and vitamins A and D and helps with making new bone during growth spurts. Unless your teenager has been diagnosed with a vitamin deficiency, it is better to get vitamins from food rather than supplements because these foods provide fiber and other important nutrients needed for proper growth, KidsHealth.org.