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During the teenage years, as we transition from childhood to adulthood, it is important to eat well to support this phase of rapid growth and development.
This is an exciting time as we mature to make our own decisions about what we eat.
Research conducted in 2023 shows only 4% of teens are meeting Department of Health recommendations for milk, yogurt & cheese. On average, teenagers are having 1.9 servings a day, however the Department of Health recommends 5 for this age group. A serving is 200ml milk, 125g yogurt or 25g cheese.
Learn more in the Dairy specific analysis of the National Teens Survey II from our Research page.
A balanced diet ensures that we obtain enough energy and nutrients to help maintain the normal functioning and optimal health of our bodies; to assist with growth and repair; and to help fight and prevent against infection and disease.
To the right, find some key nutrients, a selection of the normal functions they contribute to and examples of food sources:
Our energy and nutrient needs vary depending on unique factors such as gender, age, body size, growth phase and physical activity levels. In general, however, a balanced diet will ensure you are getting what you need.
The Department of Health’s Food Pyramid provides guidance on daily servings from each food group, with a variety of foods from the bottom four shelves recommended for a good range of vitamins and minerals.
To find out the role of dairy as part of a balanced diet, you can download our free ‘Nutrition & You’ booklet.
