The Care and Keeping of You 2. Cara Natterson

Чтение книги онлайн.

      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!

      Your New Look

      As your body matures, get ready to grow in different

      directions.

      Figure Facts

      You may start to notice new curves where you never had

      them—particularly around your thighs, hips, waist, and

      breasts. Your body may look bigger than it used to, or

      your pants may feel tighter in some places. All of these

      changes are normal. But curves aren’t required! It’s com-

      mon for your body to begin to look more like the bodies

      of other women in your family. So if your mom is long,

      lean, and less curvy, you might shape up the same СКАЧАТЬ