Adolescent Food Guidelines Released by Food Safety Authority of Ireland
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland published its first scientific report outlining food-based dietary recommendations for adolescents aged nine to eighteen living in Ireland. Nutritional needs during this developmental stage vary considerably depending on age, sex, body size, physical activity, and the timing of puberty, according to the official guidance released on 12 October 2026.
Scientific Basis for Growth and Development Needs
Adolescence marks a dramatic transition from childhood to adulthood that requires very high nutrient intakes to ensure individuals reach their full potential in height and cognitive function, rte.ie reported. Dr Mary Flynn, Chief Specialist in Public Health Nutrition at the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, stated on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that adolescence can begin around age eight for girls and age ten for boys. Dr Flynn noted that teenagers have the largest food needs of any human demographic as they approach adult size.
The recommendations account for distinct biological changes between sexes during the ten-year adolescent period. Dr Flynn explained that approximately forty percent of bone mineral content is laid down during this decade as sex hormones surge. Testosterone builds muscle mass and shifts fat stores internally in boys, while oestrogen promotes fat storage on hips and thighs in girls for the first time.
Flexible Guidance for Active and Sedentary Teens
The Scientific Committee designed the recommendations to offer flexibility across different physical activity levels and maturational timings. Dr Flynn highlighted that dietary intake data from the National Children’s Food Survey II spanning 2017 to 2018 and the National Teens’ Food Survey II spanning 2019 to 2020 informed the four-day food intake patterns developed for the report. The guidance accommodates both sedentary adolescents and those who are highly active.
rte.ie reported that nutritionists are observing active teenagers who maintain low carbohydrate intakes due to a fixation on protein foods. Dr Flynn warned that adolescents who participate in weekly sports, weekend matches, and gym sessions without adequate carbohydrate intake risk ending up with injuries. Carbohydrates provide the fastest form of calories for that age group, whereas relying solely on protein requires a larger metabolic pathway.
Supplement Guidance and Nutritional Labelling
Adolescents and their caregivers should utilize nutrition labelling when selecting products such as breakfast cereals and yogurts to identify healthier choices, according to the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. The agency recommends that all adolescents continue taking a vitamin D food supplement, with the exact amount dependent on age, ethnicity, and time of year. Furthermore, all women of childbearing age, including adolescents who can become pregnant, should take a four hundred microgram folic acid supplement daily.
