Teenage comes with many physical and emotional changes in a kid’s life. Both girls and boys experience different kinds of changes. Like girls, boys also go through some major changes during puberty. Puberty is also known as adolescence. In boys puberty starts between 11- 14 years of age. This is the time when you can see the maximum amount of growth in weight and height in kids. There are several changes that may occur at the same time. Your kids may grow some inches suddenly which was followed by a very slow growth from the past few months. Each boy goes through these changes at their own pace. It is important to understand that these changes will be seen differently in each teen. All these physical maturations are result of hormonal changes in kid’s body. Taking care of diet can help to balance hormones in a male child or boy.

Physical changes

Body size

Body size of boys starts increasing. You may observe that legs, arms, hands, feet are growing faster than the rest of the body. This sometimes makes a teen feel awkward but, frequent growth spurts are absolutely common in boys as they enters puberty phase.

Breast growth

The upper body muscles begin to develop. Some boys may experience swelling in the breast area. The reason for this is only hormonal changes. It is a temporary condition which is common in teenage boys. Encourage him to start some regular exercises. It will help in growth.

Voice change

As a boy enters puberty phase, his voice may change. If you feel that your boy’s voice is cracking, he is going through the natural effects of male puberty. His voice will become deeper in some days.

Hair growth

Boys get hair growth around genital area. They will also start having hairs on face (Beard and mustache), under their arms, and on legs. Boys generally love this change as they considered facial hairs as sign of manhood.

Acne

The most common issue is Acne. Almost all teenagers weather boys or girls face break out with pimples from time to time. It is caused as glands in the skin start producing natural oils called sebum. This happens because of increase in puberty hormones in male or boys. This extra sebum clog the skin pores which results in acne.  

Body odor

It is considered as one of the earliest sign of puberty. Boys begin to sweat profusely because of hormonal changes. Sweat itself has no smell. It is just odorless salty water. But the sweat glands located under the arms in the groin produce sebum which get mixed with sweat and make the kids stink.

testicles and scrotum

As the body grows, some changes can be seen in their testicles and scrotum too. It is a natural process just as girls get their periods. The body is getting ready for the process of reproduction.

Emotional Changes

Anxiety

It is natural for a kid to feel anxiety or excitement about the changes that he is experiencing. These changes may push him to worry or wonder if this is normal. Though on having mustache and muscles he feels happy as these are the signs of becoming a man.

Reserved

It is now past that your son shares all the things that happened during the day with you. As he enters puberty phase you find him quite reserved. You may often hear “Nothing” as an answer to most of your questions. He may not like to watch TV and loves to stay in his room only. But, you need to make your relationship stronger at this point of time. Try to have regular talks with him.

Mood swings:

He may become moody at times. It is absolutely normal. The reason behind these mood swings are only change in hormones in male or boys that affects the brain too. Let him handle these mood swings. But, never leave them alone. Always offer or ask if they need help.

Romantic Interest:

Your kid can tell you that he likes someone, or develop a crush at school. These romantic interests can bring lots of ups and downs in your kid’s life. These feelings will lead the kids to develop a deeper capacity to care. But, you have to know every minor development which is happening in kid’s life as everything is new for them and the chances of getting misled are high.

Important nutrients for teenagers

Protein

Adolescent needs a balanced meal with adequate amounts of protein during puberty as protein helps in growth and repair of muscles and tissues. It also generates enzymes and hormones in male. Protein rich diets help them to feel energetic throughout the day. Nuts, seeds, chicken, eggs, fish and cheese are a few high protein foods. (Top nuts and seeds for protein)

Carbohydrates

They are the biggest source of energy for teenagers. Almost 60% of energy (calories) for the day must come from carbohydrate foods. They provide instant energy and keep the kids on their toes. Fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, whole grains and sugar are rich in carbohydrates. (Food for immunity?)

Dietary Fat

Fat should make up no more than 30% of the diet. A teenager who indulges in a fat-heavy diet is going to put on weight, even if he or she is active. Dietary fat contains varying proportions of three types:

• Monounsaturated fat is the healthiest kind of fat and is found in olives, olive oil, peanuts, peanut, peanut butter, cashews, walnuts, walnut oil and canola oil.
• Polyunsaturated fat is found in corn oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, soybean oil, cottonseed oil, and sesame-seed oil.
• Saturated fat is the most cholesterol laden of the three and is found in meat and dairy products like beef, pork, lamb, butter, cheese, cream, egg yolks, coconut oil, and palm oil. (Natural sources of saturated fats?)

Iron

Iron is essential for teens as they go through rapid growth spurts. Both girls and boys need it, especially for girls as they lose more of it once menstruation starts. To provide their body with sufficient amount of mineral teenage male may need to consume more iron. Foods rich in iron such as meat, fish, poultry, green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds should be given to teenagers on a daily basis.(How iron deficiency affects children?)

Calcium and Vitamin D

Adolescent needs calcium to build strong bones which can help them later in life. Deficiency of calcium can increase the risk of developing osteoporosis (a condition in which bones become weak and can easily break). Consumption of vitamin D is equally important as it helps in absorption of calcium. Calcium rich foods include low-fat milk, other dairy foods and dark green vegetables, along with fortified foods like fortified juice and cereal. (Why calcium and vitamin D are important?)

Vitamins: Vitamins are water-soluble or fat-soluble. Leafy vegetables, animal products, nuts & seeds, vegetable oils, dairy foods are rich in fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K ). Whereas nuts & seeds, fruits, vegetables, grains, milk and dairy foods are high in water-soluble vitamins (vitamin C, the B vitamins). (What foods have which vitamins?) 

Minerals: Minerals include calcium, iron, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, chloride and Sulphur are found in nuts, seeds, shellfish, chicken, eggs, beans, cocoa, avocados, berries, yogurt and cheese. (Why calcium?)

Hormone balancing foods

Manjishtha:

Manjishtha is a powerful blood cleanser. It detoxes and purifies the blood. Apart from that, it aids in the removal of blood flow obstructions and promotes great blood circulation. This aids in the treatment of acne. This herb also helps to lift your spirits, leaving you peaceful and relaxed. It elevates your mood by increasing Dopamine levels in your blood (a neurotransmitter that regulates brain activity). Manjishtha’s anti-stress and nootropic properties aid to keep your mind at ease.

Turmeric:

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory qualities are well-known. Furthermore, it aids in the management of hormone imbalances by regulating estrogen metabolism. It provides excellent liver support. Curcumin, the main ingredient in turmeric, has been found in studies to help the liver detoxify. This improves the liver’s ability to flush out harmful poisons that cause hormone imbalances. It is quite important. Curcumin has also been shown to help with puberty initiation in the event of delayed puberty in a few trials.

Neem:

Neem offers a variety of medical characteristics and benefits in addition to balancing hormones in male and female. It is a powerful antioxidant that aids in the cleansing of the blood. This herb is an excellent hormonal acne treatment as well as a potent healer. It treats acne-prone skin that has been plagued by several ailments since adolescence. Neem also possesses anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antibacterial qualities, which aid in the treatment of hormonal acne.

Nuts:

For your hormones to function properly, the right amount of good fat is essential for balancing hormones in male as it thrive on fat production. Nuts such as peanut, cashew, and almonds are good sources of the same. Almonds have great estrogenic activity. Therefore, it impacts our endocrine system and regulates our major body glands. Whereas, cashews and peanuts have healthy phytoestrogens.

Seeds:

Sunflower, pumpkin, and melon seeds are excellent sources of healthy fats. Vitamin E, antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, potassium, and vitamin K are all abundant in them. These aid in the body’s estrogen and progesterone levels being balanced. Not only that, but they’re beneficial to your overall health because they aid digestion, cell growth, and keep your nervous system in good shape.

Recipe for Quinoa Peas Meal

Let’s try to make every food tasty and nutritious with herbs and nuts.

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Foods and Remedies by a Nutrition Expert

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