What Happens During Puberty?

Puberty is a time when teenagers go through a lot of changes in their bodies and inside because of big hormonal shifts.

Listen to Understand Puberty: External and Internal Changes

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

In this episode, I talk about boredom eating in teenagers and ways to stop it.

I explain the role of hormone dopamine in beating boredom with food. 

I teach teens how to identify true hunger versus boredom. 

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

In this episode, I discuss how many calories teenagers need based on their activity levels. I provide general guidelines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the American Academy of Pediatrics. 

I emphasize choosing healthy foods over strict calorie counting and explain the ideal breakdown of carbs, fats, and proteins. I also advise caution with restrictive diets like keto for teens. 

Parents are urged to consult a dietitian for personalized advice and focus on making small, manageable changes.

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/teen/nutrition/Pages/A-Teenagers-Nutritional-Needs.aspx

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:55 Welcome and Episode Overview

01:02 Caloric Needs for Teens

04:08 General Dietary Guidelines

06:22 Healthy Eating Tips

07:39 Understanding Carbohydrates

08:56 Caution on Restrictive Diets

10:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

11:12 Invitation to the Lift Program

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

In this podcast episode I answer common questions about protein requirements for teenagers, detailing recommended intake based on age and activity level as per the American Academy of Pediatrics. I discuss various protein sources, favoring whole foods over protein powders, and highlights the importance of protein for growth, muscle development, hormone production, and satiety. 

Learn how to calculate your protein needs and plan meals accordingly.


01:10 Understanding Protein Needs for Teens

01:44 Calculating Protein Requirements

04:31 Sources of Protein

10:40 Importance of Protein for Teenagers

15:25 Conclusion and Next Steps

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

In this episode I discuss strategies to achieve healthy habits in 2025.

00:59 Setting Goals for a Healthier 2025

02:41 Focusing on One Goal at a Time

05:26 Identifying and Replacing Triggers

09:05 Building Consistent Healthy Habits

11:50 Teenagers and Habit Formation

13:13 Dealing with Setbacks

17:20 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

17:47 Invitation to the Lift Program

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

Can teaching teens to cook be the key to a healthier lifestyle? In this episode, I discuss how a 10-week experiential cooking and nutrition program significantly boosted cooking skills and vegetable consumption among school students. 

Learn how these essential skills, from reading recipes to safely using kitchen tools, can set the foundation for lifelong healthy eating habits. 

Manuscript: 
An Experiential Cooking and Nutrition Education Program Increases Cooking Self-Efficacy and Vegetable Consumption in Children in Grades 3–8  by Elizabeth Jarpe-Ratner et al

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

Could understanding your body's natural changes during puberty help you love yourself more? Imagine reducing the urge for cosmetic surgery just by tweaking your mindset! 

A study from South Korea implemented a school curriculum focused on teaching teens to appreciate their bodies. By educating them on normal bodily changes, the effects of hormones, and the pitfalls of social media, they boosted their body satisfaction and self-esteem.

Title of manuscript:
BodyThink program-based body image education improves Korean adolescents’ attitudes toward cosmetic surgery: randomized controlled trial. 
Sung et al. BMC Nursing (2023) 22:481

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

Ever wondered why teenagers seem perpetually hungry despite having high levels of the "thin" hormone leptin? Discover the complex interplay between hormones and appetite during puberty in today's episode of the Lifestyle and Weight Loss for Teens podcast. I talk about the thin hormone "leptin"—its role in signaling fullness, how its levels fluctuate differently in boys and girls during puberty, and the curious phenomenon of leptin resistance that leaves many teens struggling with increased appetites.

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

As a mother, I know how tempting it is to let your teenager catch up on sleep over the weekend, but I've learned through research that this habit may be influencing their eating behaviors in ways we never expected.

Tune in to learn more about the  complex relationship between poor sleep, hormonal changes, and cravings that challenge the common notion of 'catching up' on sleep.

Associations ofWeekday and Weekend Sleep with Children’s Reported Eating in the Absence of Hunger. Nutrients 2019, 11, 1658; doi:10.3390/nu11071658

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter

Ever wonder if teenage habits can shape adult health?

That family debate about whether marijuana contributes to weight issues just got a whole lot more interesting.

Tune in to learn more about the findings of a pivotal study published in the Addict Behavior Journal, which tracked over 5,000 adolescents into early adulthood.

Association between Adolescent Substance Use and Obesity in Young Adulthood: A Group-based Dual Trajectory Analysis

David Y.C. Huanga, H. Isabella Lanzab, and M. Douglas Anglinc

I’m Dr. Jenny Gourgari—pediatric endocrinologist, certified in obesity medicine and a health coach. 
After helping hundreds of teens struggling with their weight and hormones, I’ve created a whole new path by doing what most programs miss: balance puberty hormones naturally and create habits that actually last.

Here's what makes this different:
✅ No dieting. No calorie counting. No shame.
✅ No more food fights between parents and teens.
✅ No weight obsession—just healthy habits
✅ Real science behind how puberty hormones affect weight
✅ A safe, supportive approach that prevents eating disorders

Because when teens understand their hormones and get the right support, they don’t just lose weight—they gain strength, energy, confidence, and freedom!

📲 Subscribe to my newsletter for weekly emails packed with easy tips, clinical insights, and practical tools

🎁 Grab your FREE high-protein recipe guide with 30 meals teens will love.
Links
30 Healthy Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/recipes

Smoothies Recipes for teens
lifestyleforteens.com/smoothies

Subscribe to my newsletter
lifestyleforteens.com/newsletter