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Foods That Can Fool You

Respecting your body is as much about keeping bad things out of it as it is

about putting good things in. Junk food doesn’t help you grow in a healthy way,

and it sometimes leaves you feeling tired or can lead to stomach aches. Some

junk foods are obvious: candy, cakes, ice cream, and fried foods (such as chips

and French fries). But the ones that can fool you are usually drinks!

Soda, vitamin-enriched water, and sports drinks are usually packed with sugars,

artificial flavorings, and fake colors. They add calories to your body without

bringing any nutrition. Unless you are an elite athlete, you don’t need a sports

drink after a game—water is better. Some of these drinks also have caffeine,

a chemical that can keep you up at night or interrupt your sleep, potentially

making you moody and slowing your growth.

Even though you might know which foods aren’t good for you, cravings still

creep up. The best rule is to keep junk foods to a minimum. This means that

if you have already eaten something junky, you should be done with treats for

the day. And when you choose a food that you know isn’t great for you, eat a

reasonable amount and don’t overdo it!

In addition to junk food, it’s also important to stay away from cigarettes, alcohol,

and drugs. Each can hurt your body in different ways and can make you think

unclearly or act foolishly. If your doctor gives you a prescription medicine, it is

meant for you and only you—don’t ever offer your medicine to someone else,

and don’t take someone else’s medicine yourself.

When in Doubt, Keep It Out!

When you walk through the grocery store or pharmacy, you will see lots of

different vitamins and supplements promising all sorts of results. The bottle

may say, “Take this and lose weight!” or “Build strong muscles!” Or the label may

have a picture of a person who looks the way you would like to look. Don’t

believe everything that is advertised! Many of these products won’t do what

they say they will. Even worse, some are dangerous to a growing, changing body

like yours. Talk to your parents and a doctor about what supplements are safe

and healthy for your body. And when in doubt, keep it out!