Why It's Important For the Average Teenager to Eat Healthily

Short Term Benefits
     Eating healthily makes your mood, skin and appearance, and energy level better.
      Always eat breakfast to improve your energy level, and mood. Skipping a meal causes people to feel tired, and grumpy, so eat regularly, and also have protein with each meal. Protein will make the food "stay in your stomach longer" so you will feel full, and be able to focus for longer, rather than eating just carbohydrates. 
     Your skin, and appearance is also affected by which foods you eat. For example, vitamin C is essential for healthy skin and hair. Calcium, and Vitamin D help to build stronger bones, and whole grains, fish, and fruits are good for your heart.
  Long Term Benefits
     In the long run, eating healthily can reduce risk of high blood pressure, certain cancers, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. 
      One can prevent the likely hood of developing high blood pressure by getting enough potassium, and not eating too much sodium. It is also important to maintain a healthy weight, which can be done by eating balanced meals without excess amounts of fats. High blood pressure can lead to heart disease and diabetes, so to reduce the risks of all of these health problems, start by eating healthily. 
     Eating healthily can reduce the risk of certain cancers like bowel, breast, mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreatic, and kidney cancers. This can be done mainly by eating a variety of fresh fruits, and vegetables, and cutting down on red meats, and processed foods. 
      To reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity, make sure that meats are grilled, rather than fried, eat whole grain breads, and cereals, and leaner meats like chicken, and turkey. In addition to eating balanced, and varied meals, make sure that the foods are good quality, and get an adequate amount of antioxidants. 

Bibliography
Pictures:

1. World Teenagers. Photograph. The Guardian. 2013. Accessed May 3, 2013. http://www.guardian.co.uk/ 

     news/datablog/2011/feb/25/unicef-world-children-adolescents. 

Information:  

1. Guardian News and Media. "Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Cancer Risk." The Guardian. Last modified 2013. 

     Accessed May 4, 2013. http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2009/feb/26/cancer-healthy-eating. 

2.  Sofial. "Nutrition Guide for Teenagers." Livestrong.com. Last modified 2013. Accessed April 19,      2013. http://www.livestrong.com/article/307522-nutrition-guide-for-teenagers/. 

3. American Diabetes Association. "Healthy Eating." American Diabetes Association. Last modified 2013.      Accessed May 4, 2013. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/prevention/checkup-america/      healthy-eating.html. 

4.  Biali, Susan. "How Food Can Improve Your Mood." Psycology Today. Last modified 2013. Accessed May 4,      2013. http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/prescriptions-life/200907/      how-food-can-improve-your-mood-delicious-ways-prevent-depression. 

5.  Cable News Network. "What You Eat Can Improve Your Health, Mind, and Appearance." CNN Health. Last      modified 2009. Accessed May 4, 2013. http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/08/cl.body.boosters/.