QuestionHello, I have been wondering about how my daily diet will effect my growth, and in looking around online I have not been able to find any information which can be applied to my specific situation. I thought perhaps an expert such as yourself could give me a hand. I am 17 years old, and since I was 15 I have had rather unconventional eating habits. For a time I ate very little day to day, such as a bowl of pretzels or a meal replacement for the missed nutrition. This was mostly because I just wasn't ever hungry from worries and a like. Recently however I have been eating only a very select group of fruits and vegetables because they are the only ones I like. The fruits are cantaloupe, apples, strawberries and pineapple, and the vegetables are carrots, broccoli, lettuce, cherry tomatoes and sometimes celery. I do however eat them in a fairly large quantity. I don't weigh very much at all, but that's to be expected I suppose, and hasn't effected my health so that doesn't worry me. I am worried that in only eating these fruits and vegetables I may be missing something I need. I asked my doctor and he said it was ok, but I didn't get into much detail and he seemed pretty quick to dismiss it as worry. I do take a multivitamin and I will admit I do have things like coffee and espresso now and then although I've heard that these won't effect growth even though caffeine is no good for me. Right now I'm somewhere between 5 foot 6 and five foot 8, my Mom is 5 feet and my dad is 6 foot 2. So my question is based on my situation, will my growth be effected by what I eat, or am I on track with my height? Does eating even affect height? I have heard many conflicting things. Any information, thoughts or opinions you could give me would be greatly appreciated as this is an issue that has been weighing on my mind. I thank you and feel privileged that I have the chance to ask a real expert.
AnswerHi Jeff,
I appreciate your confidence in my abilities, but regrettably, I believe you should consult a qualified nutritionalist about your questions/ My expertise is mostly in advising anorexics about the long term affects of malnutrition.
The very best of luck,
Terence A. Russell
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