I do not know who to go to for teen heath

Question
Hi, I am a 15 year old girl who is 5'3", and I weigh anywhere from 95-100lbs. I eat a lot of nuts, nut butters, pizza (often a large thin crust for dinner), pasta (often with a big slice of cheesecake), chips, and sweets (the only fried foods I would eat are tots, french fries, and onion rings). I also eat some cheese, fruits, and a few vegetables (broccoli, corn and potatoes). I do not starve myself whatsoeer, and I do not get scared if I eat a cupcake right after eating a meal, like breakfast. I participate in low-leel yoga, along with some squats, push-ups, and sit-ups. My question though is, do I need to gain weight? I feel healthy, neer weak or dizzy. I would be so grateful if you could help me, and I will provide any additional info if needed. Thank you.

Answer
Dear Tiffani
Thank you for contacting allexperts.com. I hope that I can assist you with your question.

It is very difficult to answer your question since I do not know you personally.  A person's bone structure often determines how much weight they should or should not carry.  If you have a small frame, then certainly, your weight is not too low.  However, if you are a person with a large frame then you are probably underweight.  If you can put your dominant hand (right or left) around the wrist of the non-dominant arm, and the fingers and thumb touch, you probably have a small frame.  In which case, your weight is fine.

Now then.  You did not ask, but since I am a certified nutritional consultant, I would be remiss in my duties if I did not take a minute or two to address your diet.  If you were to ask for a recommendation, I would suggest that you cease eating fried foods (of any kind) and concentrate on whole, natural, unprocessed fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts and seeds; preferably raw and preferably organic.

Since you are young you are unaware that your diet is potentially very harmful and as you get older will result in a wealth of possible medical issues.  Not the least of which is obesity and diabetes. Aside from the nuts, nut butters, fruits and very few vegetables you eat, the rest is pretty much garbage.  I strongly discourage people from consuming dairy products.

Your body is young and strong, but as you age you must give it the nutrients that it needs to repair cellular damage.  This damage occurs on a daily basis and will result in cumulative damage through the years.  Many people find that when they get older there is just one medical problem after another.  This occurs not because we age.  It occurs because for 30 or 40 or 50 years we have not been providing our body with what it needs to repair the damage.  It finally catches up with us.

Please consider improving your diet so that when you are older you do not experience these unfortunate problems.

As for your exercising, it sounds like you are doing well.  If you find that you feel light-headed, you might consider eating some plant-based protein or a snack of complex carbs prior to working out (my personal favorite is steel cut oats).  

Best of luck

Tasha

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