It has been said that a healthy diet can make a huge difference in a person’s life. At Elevations RTC, many teenagers are coming in with some issue that is holding them back. While it might not directly be related to food and being in better shape overall, there are many benefits to following a strict diet to get a person back on track.
In fact, Elevations RTC has focused over the last few years on putting together a rather good eating situation for students who want to turn the corner and start making better food choices. From participating in support groups to learning how to grow food and create meals with those options, the entire process is laid out for those wanting to learn the most.
Why Healthy Eating Matters
Countless studies have shown that nutrition can help teenagers dealing with any sort of issue they are going through. Even if it is not directly linked in some capacity, healthier eating helps with mental health, energy levels, body image, and so much more.
People often look at food as a way to cope with certain emotions. Instead of dealing with them or getting past a specific situation, it is easier to eat comfort food that might not be the healthiest. Elevations RTC works with students to get away from relying on these snacks, which can instantly impact how the person looks and feels.
Energy levels can also change significantly with the help of healthy eating. Eating a diet full of sugar seems like giving some teenagers a lot of energy, and it does for short spurts. However, there is always that sugar crash after, and in the long run, junk food will zap any person’s energy throughout the day.
Finally, not every student at Elevations RTC comes in with body image issues, but it weighs on a lot of students out there. They look in the mirror and do not like what they see, but they do not know how to fix that issue properly. The best way to go about it is to start making small nutrition changes, exercising, and sticking with what works. Feeling better about the body can help with so many other issues that a teenager might be facing. That type of added confidence starts to permeate throughout life in general.
A Set-Up for Success
Elevations RTC offers a perfect combination of set times for meals, nutritious options that remain exciting, and a team-like atmosphere for ultimate support. It takes a little bit of time for teenagers to adjust to living on campus initially, but in just a few short weeks, some solid habits can be created to really put a focus on nutrition.
So many teenagers have not had the opportunity to eat on a consistent schedule in their life. In fact, some are not always 100% how much they will be able to eat on a daily basis. This might not seem like a huge deal from the outside, but it can help with portion control, as well as helping the body process food properly. Students do not go hungry while they are on campus, as they still get three full meals, but they do not eat past a certain time.
Those meals can only provide value if they are balanced and nutritious. Our dietary staff make sure that students get a variety of meal options to reduce the chance of food feeling monotonous. At the same time, students get a chance to sample a number of healthy options in an attempt to develop a taste for some good choices. Yes, there are even some opportunities to indulge a little, as a super strict diet will not be the best for teenagers. It is fine to let loose once in a while, and the menu reflects that.
Community support is the defining factor Elevation RTC brings to the table compared to other residential treatment centers out there. Having groups directly impact how others can begin to turn the corner really makes a difference overall. There will be good times and bad times when trying to follow a new strict diet, and with plenty of other teenagers going through the same problems, community support helps.
In groups dedicated to healthy eating and improved nutrition, students get the opportunity to learn how to be as self-sufficient as possible. While this skill might not seem necessary while on campus, it certainly can be beneficial down the road. Growing healthy foods and even preparing go-to dishes can fight off any temptation of opting for something full of poor nutrients.
Meaningful Changes Start with a Great Diet
The entire staff at Elevations RTC believes that a quality diet can have a huge impact across the board for so many growing individuals. Examples throughout history at the residential treatment center prove that to be the case. Many teenagers in the past have enrolled feeling less than stellar about their day-to-day life.
A change in diet might not fix everything by itself, but it is a huge contributor for those really wanting to turn the corner. In a roundabout way, the diet can help reach academic, athletic, and even social goals while on campus. With luck, students will also walk away from campus having a few favorite healthy meals that they can count on to stay healthy once they return to being on their own.
