Adolescence as defined by World Health Organisation, is the tender age between 10years -19 years. This is the most important phase of an individual’s life. It is the period of rapid physical growth, and right nutrition is the dominant factor for their physical development.
To avoid growth retardation, parents need to put prime focus on the nutritional requirements and health conditions of the young adults. Insufficient nutrition can severely affect the growth years of adolescents. It can slow their growth in terms of height, weight & intellect, and can result in malnutrition and ill health of the adolescence.
The health requirements of young adults vary depending upon their gender, age group, place of dwelling and the climate conditions.
Eating the right food with correct nutrition makes a balanced diet. Sometimes, young adults are body conscious. To make sure that an adolescent gets the right nutrition, food selection is important. They are easily influenced by their peers and various media tools that highlight a particular body type as may be beautiful or ugly. Thus effecting their self-esteem and eating behaviour. In an attempt to achieve a specific body shape it is common among adolescents to skip meals; which they think accelerates weight loss.I in most cases, fast food or junk food outlets are their favourite hangouts. They ignore the obvious facts that such eatables are low in nutrition and quite high on calories. A correctly balanced nutritious diet accelerates their full growth potential. It also helps in their proper sexual maturation. Nutritious meals are the sources of protein, vitamins, calcium, and other dietary requirements of the body. Nutritional food establishes healthy eating habits for a lifetime and prevents any type of deficiency or deficiency related ailments.
An ideal balanced diet for a young person spans across five groups of food. They should consume the following:
• Fruits & Vegetables
• Milk & Dairy Products
• Cereals, Pulses, Grains and Nuts
• Meat, fish, poultry and eggs
• Selection of food low in salt, fat and sugar provides better nutrition
Many adolescents who study in residential schools often fail to consume the right amount of nutritious food due to the lack of their favourable cuisines or cooking methods. SAI International Residential School is among the top CBSE residential schools, which facilitates the students of class VI to class X. The campus is situated in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The infrastructure and facilities are developed with the sole intention of nurturing future citizens for a better society. The Cafeteria has the following features:
• It is spacious and well-ventilated
• Professionally equipped kitchen with trained chefs.
• Scrumptious, well balanced and nutritious diet.
• Stringent sanitation maintained.
• Preparation with fresh ingredients.
• Feedback taken regularly to plan menu.
• Menu for the week updated on the website.
• Complete meals with breakfast, mid-morning snacks, lunch, evening snacks, dinner and health drinks.
Healthy eating nourishes the minds and bodies of the young adults. Absolute care is taken while preparing a meal for the students, be it breakfast, lunch, dinner or snacks. Professional catering services teamed up with strict supervision of expert nutritionist and dietician prepare the best meals to meet the dietary needs of the adolescents. To ensure palatable food is served every time, feedback of students and teachers are regularly taken and implemented.SIRS has its prime focus on providing fresh and nutritious food to the students at regular intervals of the day.