There are many important nutrients for the adolescent to grow and develop during puberty, but several critical nutrients stand out. Let’s dive into these key nutritional needs of adolescents. 

Did you know the gap between the U.S. dietary recommendations and what young people actually eat is greatest during adolescence?

Adolescence is a time of significant body transformation, but dietary habits also change as children grow older. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, teenagers eat half the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables by the time they enter late adolescence. 

Meanwhile, the appetite of the teenager soars, adolescent girls start their period, and lean muscle mass increases in boys. 

Kids require a balanced diet with enough calories and key nutrients to support the physical changes that happen, especially during the teenage years when nutritional requirements rise to meet the needs of a major growth spurt and puberty.

Let’s dive in and review the energy and nutritional requirements of adolescents.

Kids require a balanced diet with enough calories and key nutrients for growth and healthy development, especially during adolescence when nutritional needs rise to meet the needs of a major growth spurt and puberty.

So let’s dive into the energy and nutritional requirements of adolescence.

How Many Calories Should a Teenager Eat?

Teenagers experience major growth spurts as they go through puberty and approach full maturity.

Adolescent boys experience an increase in muscle mass. This increase in muscle means they need more energy (calories) to fuel their faster metabolism. A growth spurt in boys usually happens between 9 and 14 years old, about two years later than girls. 

Girls need fewer calories than boys because they have less muscle mass (and more body fat). They stop growing and reach full maturity earlier.

Moderately active teenage boys need between 2,200 and 2,800 calories a day, according to the DGA, and moderately active teenage girls need approximately 2,000 calories a day. 

Of course, there’s nuance here. Energy requirements vary depending on physical activity level, gender, and weight. For example, boys who are more active may need more calories than less active boys. The same is true for girls.

To cover the adolescent with a big appetite, allow teens to eat when they’re hungry, encourage them to consider their hunger signals and feelings of fullness, and eat a nutrient-rich diet most of the time.

Keep easy snacks around the house for teens to grab when hungry. Healthy snacks are one way to make sure teens get a variety of nutrients and enough energy to stay healthy.

Let’s look at the key nutrients necessary for rapid growth and development.

How Many Carbohydrates Do Teens Need?

The body and the brain use carbohydrates for energy. Teens require at least 130 g of carbohydrate per day, and likely more, or about 45 – 65% of their recommended total energy intake.

Whole grains, vegetables, fruits and dairy products are good, nutrient-rich sources of complex carbohydrates.

Active teens and athletes typically need a healthy diet with more carbs to fuel their bodies and keep their energy levels up.

How Much Protein Should a Teenager Eat?

Protein plays a major role in muscle development and repair.

During puberty and the adolescent growth spurt, boys and girls gain weight as they grow taller and develop. Additionally, because boys put on a significant amount of lean muscle mass, the amount of protein they need is higher than girls.

Teenage girls need about 1/2 gram of protein per pound of body weight each day. The same goes for boys. 

Going overboard on protein isn’t helpful, because the body takes the excess protein, changes it to energy, which in most cases means fat.

Meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk and cheese are well-known protein sources. However, many animal proteins are also high in saturated fats. 

Choose lean cuts of meat to cut down on saturated fats. Nuts, legumes, beans and soybeans are also excellent sources of plant-based proteins.

How Much Fat is Healthy for Teens?

The body and brain need fat to function optimally. 

Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble vitamins that need dietary fat to be absorbed by the body.

The recommendation for teen boys and girls is to keep their fat intake between 25 – 35% of recommended total daily calories.

Ideally, teens should limit saturated fat and trans-fat, which increase “bad” cholesterol and causes a build-up in the arteries.

Offering sources of omega-3 fatty acids fight inflammation and support healthy brain development.

Foods such as flax seeds, chia seeds, salmon, walnuts, and canola oil are sources of omega-3.

Three Important Nutrients for Teenagers

Calcium, iron, and vitamin D are essential for strong bones, muscle growth, and optimal brain functioning during the peak periods of growth in teens. These are some of the most important nutrition needs during adolescence.

Iron

The requirements for iron in teenage boys and girls are higher, especially for young athletes. 

Girls have higher iron needs because of their regular menstrual flow and this remains high as girls grow into adulthood. Some teen girls will experience iron deficiency and need an iron supplement to correct it. 

Boys have higher iron needs as they develop lean body mass. When boys reach adulthood, their iron requirement drops back down to pre-adolescent levels.

Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) are the average daily intake required to meet the nutrient requirements for most healthy people.

The iron RDA for boys is:

• 9-13 years::     8 mg/daily
• 14-18 years:    11 mg/daily

The iron RDA for girls is:

• 9-13 years:     8 mg/daily
• 14-18 years:    15 mg/daily

Iron is found in various foods, and most teens can get what they need from a healthy, balanced diet.

Some of the best sources of iron include:

• Lean meats and seafood
• Fortified cereals and grains
• Lentils
• Nuts
• Beans
• Raisins
• Tofu
• Whole wheat spaghetti
• Eggs
• Spinach 
• Broccoli

Calcium

Adolescence is a critical time for bone growth, so it’s no surprise that calcium requirements are highest during puberty. Adequate calcium intake is important for all teens.

For 9-18 years, the calcium RDA is 1,300 mg per day.

Dairy foods such as milk, yogurt, and cheese are the richest sources of calcium, but many non-dairy foods contain calcium, too.

Calcium-rich food includes:

• Yogurt
• Cheese
• Milk
• Orange juice fortified with calcium
• Tofu made with calcium sulfate
• Soybeans
• Canned salmon
• Fortified breakfast cereals
• Kale, spinach, turnips, Bok choy, and broccoli
• Beans
• Chia seeds

*Cow’s milk alternatives don’t have the same nutrients as cow’s milk. So, teenagers who avoid dairy because of milk allergies or follow a vegan diet need to take extra care to include more calcium from other sources.

Vitamin D

Both calcium and vitamin D are required for bone development and growth. 

While vitamin D requirements are the same for teens and adults, the absorption of vitamin D is greater during puberty to support significant bone growth. 

For 9-18 years, the vitamin D RDA is 15 mcg (600 IU) per day.

Vitamin D is a hormone that’s activated in the body with the help of sunlight. So the best way for teens to get enough vitamin D is by doing activities outside!

Vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon, and teens may need to take a vitamin D supplement.

Few foods are natural sources of vitamin D. Most foods that do contain vitamin D have been fortified. These are some of the best sources of this important nutrient for teens.

• Trout, salmon, tuna, and mackerel
• Mushrooms
• Eggs
• Fortified milk
• Fortified soy, oat and almond milk
• Fortified cereals
• Cheddar cheese
• Mushrooms

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85+ Healthy Snacks for Teens!

Final Thoughts About the Nutritional Needs for Adolescence

A balanced diet with adequate carbohydrates, protein, plant fats, vitamins, and minerals is essential for growth and development during the teen years.

Teens are always on the go and eating out with friends. This can make it tough to make sure they get all the essential nutrients they need. But with a little planning, it’s possible. The good news is there are plenty of nutritious foods and healthy snacks teens can enjoy. 

Are you concerned that your teen isn’t getting enough of the right nutrients?

Resources

• Check out some of our nutrition classes and guidebooks designed to help you nourish your child, inside and out.

• Delayed Puberty: Should You Worry about the Late Bloomer?

• The Most Common Reasons a Girl Gains Weight 

• Zinc for Kids