Food Consumption Among American Teens American teens eat many different types of food. Some teenagers today are starting to pay attention to health warnings about what they put into their bodies. Those who don't will greatly hinder their well-being in the future. There are so many food choices that can be made every day. Lack of time due to homework, sports participation and social life can compromise healthy eating. This, however, is not necessary. There are many foods at our disposal. Speaking from experience, college students (first year) can be placed into a couple of dietary categories. Some adolescents stereotypically represent what one might consider normal. These students usually simply take the food that suits them. Teens eat what looks appetizing when they feel hungry. This young segment of the population is completely unaware of the fat, sodium and calorie content of the materials they put into their mouths. There are many foods that the casual consumer will automatically get. Major consumer items include sweetened colas, candy bars, and chips. Fried foods such as burgers and French fries, as well as Mexican foods, are particularly popular delicacies. Pizza is also an important component of this food group. A second class of eaters is at the opposite extreme from the occasional consumer. These students, the "health nuts," have been paying attention to what their mothers have been trying to get their children to eat since infancy. In the long run, these students will be better off than casual consumers. In their later years, healthy consumers will have fewer myocardial infarctions (heart attacks) and their arteries will be much less likely to become clogged. Bagels, fruit and salad (with little to no oily dressings) are favorite foods for this healthy group. A third class of adolescents may include students who eat a combination of nutritious and unhealthy foods. These teens may eat poorly at one meal and then turn around and eat sensibly the next. Mood plays a big role in what these students choose to eat. Because life is so busy for everyone in the 90s, our diets, including those of teenagers, have rapidly deteriorated.