Social Teen Skipping Meals
My 17 yr-old daughter won't eat breakfast - she never has - and I'm sure she's skipping other meals as well.
I don't think she has a problem with food, as when she eats, she eats well but she often comes in from college and rushes out without having an evening meal.
Nutritionist Vardit Kohn advises:
Your daughter sounds like a normal teenager and I shouldn’t worry too much. Skipping meals is not ideal but it is a common occurrence with teenagers who have a busy social life. I could write an essay on the importance of having a good breakfast but the fact that she has never had breakfast means that it will be extremely difficult to change her habits overnight.
If you can, try encouraging her to at least take something in the way of a cereal bar, piece of toast or piece of fruit that she can either have on the way to college or in between classes. This way at least she will be having something in the morning.
With regards to her evening meal I think this could be an area where you could be stricter. I always consider this meal to be a good time when the whole family can sit down with each other and discuss their days. As with most things in life, the key here is compromise and I am sure there will be days when your daughter wants to go out. In these cases I think it is important that she lets you know in advance so whoever is cooking knows that she will not need to be catered for.
To conclude, I do not feel there is too much to worry about nutritionally here but perhaps a behavioural expert may be able to give you further advice and help.
