The Link Between Smelly Teens & What They Eat

Why Your Son’s Diet Might Be the Culprit!

14 MARCH 2025, WRITTEN BY JACKIE BARON

Ah, the joys of parenting a teen boy. One minute, they’re your sweet little kid, and the next—BAM!—they walk past you and it’s like getting hit by a brick wall of stink. 🥴 You check—yes, they showered (kind of). Yes, they used deodorant (probably). But somehow, they still smell like a locker room that’s been marinating in mystery odours for weeks.

Here’s the thing, parents—what your son eats CAN play a role in how he smells. Yep, diet and body odour are BFFs, and if your teen is on a steady diet of chips, energy drinks, and three-day-old pizza, well… let’s just say, his BO isn’t going to be winning any awards.

So, what’s causing the funk? And more importantly, how do we fix it? Let’s break it down—with five key diet fixes to help keep your teen fresh (or at least fresher than he is now).

1. Ditch the Junk, Ditch the Stink

Processed foods are public enemy #1 when it comes to making your teen smell like a foot. Burgers, fries, instant noodles, and other highly processed, greasy foods can increase body odour because they’re harder to digest and packed with artificial ingredients that make sweat smell worse.

🚀 The Fix:

Swap out junk food for whole foods—think lean proteins, whole grains, and plenty of fresh fruits and veggies. Not only will it help keep his skin clearer and energy levels up, but it’ll also help reduce that overpowering post-PE stank.

2. Beware of the BO Bombs (Ahem, Certain Foods)

Some foods are straight-up stink boosters. Onions, garlic, spicy foods, and even certain veggies like broccoli and cabbage release sulfur compounds that can make sweat smell stronger (yes, even the "good-for-you" foods can be culprits!).

🚀 The Fix:

No need to ban broccoli forever (we’re not monsters), but balance is key. Encourage a mix of milder, odour-neutral foods like cucumbers, capsicum, and citrus fruits to help neutralise the funk.

THE BACK TO SCHOOL HIT-LIST

3. Hydration = Freshness

Is your teen drinking enough water? If his beverage of choice is soda, energy drinks, or bubble tea, his body isn’t flushing out toxins properly. Dehydration makes sweat more concentrated, meaning more bacteria, more stink.

🚀 The Fix:

Water, water, and more water. Hydrated teens smell better—it’s science. Throw in some coconut water or infused water with lemon, cucumber, or berries if plain H2O is too boring.

4. Sugar is Sneaky (and Smelly!)

Excess sugar in the diet feeds the bacteria on your teen’s skin, making BO even worse. Plus, sugar messes with hormones, which can already be a rollercoaster at this age. And let’s not even start on those sugary energy drinks…

🚀 The Fix:

Swap out sugary snacks with fresh fruit, nuts, or yogurt. Not only do they keep blood sugar levels stable (read: fewer mood swings), but they also help keep BO at bay.

5. Don’t Forget the Good Gut Bacteria

A messed-up gut = messed-up sweat. When the digestive system isn’t happy, toxins don’t get processed properly, leading to—you guessed it—extra smelly sweat.

🚀 The Fix:

Encourage foods rich in probiotics (like yogurt, kefir, and miso) and prebiotics (bananas, oats, garlic) to keep gut health in check. A happy gut = a fresher-smelling teen.

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