Teen-time is a phase when physical and psychological modulations are underway at a very rapid pace. Teenagers require a healthy, balanced diet in order to get them through all the schoolwork, emotional ups and downs and everything else that is part of being a teenager.

Unhealthy eating habits like having junk foods, fast foods and skipping meals aggravate acne, may result in constipation and cause skin problems as well.

The most common problem that a teenager faces is acne. This is because of fluctuating hormone levels and inherited genes.

You can avoid the occurrence of acne by drinking lots of water, having karela as a vegetable. Avoid too much caffeine, sugary products and white flour products like bread, pizza etc.

Oily skin is very common in teenagers due to hormonal shifts of adolescence.

Avoid skincare products that leave your skin feeling taut and dehydrated. They cause the upper layers of the skin to shrink. This restricts oil flow through the pores leading to blockages and breakouts.

Keep your skin very clean. Limit washing your face to two or three times a day. Too much washing will stimulate your skin to produce more oil.

If having oily skin, you must take a diet rich in proteins but restricted in sugar, fluids and salt. Take plenty of green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits. Avoid having too much sugar, chocolates and junk food.

Dark circle is a problem which is basically genetic in nature but can also be caused because of dehydration or lack of sleep.

To avoid dark circles, you should only have fruits, coconut water, raw vegetable juices and soups for a day. This will also help in detoxifying the body.

Many teenagers, despite the young age, feel tired and lethargic most of the time. The reason is that they are eating foods which are too high in the glycemic index - a measure of the effects of carbohydrates on blood glucose levels.

The best solution to avoid lethargic nature is to eat foods with low sugar index food like whole grain products, dals (pulses), paneer, chicken, fish, vegetables and salads.

Constipation may be due to various physiological and psychological conditions. Most people experience constipation that may be due to dietary changes, but this is temporary and corrects by itself.

The best answer to the constipation is to have lot of water and fibre rich foods like whole wheat, prunes, apricots etc.

It is a very common problem especially during exams because of stress. Consumption of alcohol, highly spicy foodstuffs and irregular food habits predispose to gastric acidity.

Avoiding stress and modification of lifestyle may prove very helpful in treatment of acidity and ulcers, particularly in those with a nervous and emotional disposition and people involved in high-stress jobs.

The more you nurture your health now the better it will be for future. Therefore it is advisable that teenagers should do exercise regularly and take plenty of rest.