Adult Diets Aren’t for You--Instead, Eat Better and Exercise

These days, it seems everybody is on a diet. Losing weight is the No. 1 New Year’s resolution for many adults. And we’ve all seen the many advertisements on television and elsewhere urging us to drop some pounds, get skinny and so on.

No wonder a lot of kids are thinking about going on a diet. When it comes to losing weight, however, the rules are different for kids than for adults. Your mom and dad may drink special shakes or eat only high-protein foods--but that doesn’t mean you should too.

Most weight-loss diets for adults are not good for younger people because kids are still growing and have different nutritional needs, says Shauna A. Montgomery, a dietitian who works with kids at UCLA.

Rather than dieting, Montgomery suggests, kids should get more exercise and eat healthier food. She also advises that kids “learn to respond to hunger”--often, kids overeat because they are bored or stressed out, not because they are hungry.

So before you inhale that big bag of chips, ask yourself if you really need to eat the whole thing. Maybe an apple and string cheese would satisfy your hunger instead. Some doctors also believe that watching too much TV gets kids into the habit of unhealthy snacking.

Another tip: Drink water instead of soda. “You can actually drink yourself fat,” says Montgomery, pointing out that several sweetened sodas every day “will add up.” (And most health experts don’t like kids to drink a lot of diet sodas, either, because of the chemicals they contain.)

If you think you have a serious weight problem, talk with your parents about going to the doctor. A medical professional can suggest safe ways to cut calories for someone your age. Your doctor may want you to meet with a nutritionist or dietitian, who can help you and your parents plan ways for you to eat healthier.

And remember, your weight is only one part of who you are. Instead of worrying about getting thin, try to focus on being as healthy as possible.

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Kids and other readers can reach Emily Dwass by e-mail at emilydwass@yahoo.com