Healthy Ideas for After Game Snacks
After an energetic football game, cheerleading practice or hockey match, teammates' stomaches will be growling and ready for some re-fueling. We all know that mini bags of chips and cans of soda are easy to tote with you to the game; it's tempting to opt for these low-nutrient snacks when it's your turn to provide post-game treats. But taking a little extra time to bring nourishing, healthy snacks sets a good example for the team and you'll find yourself bringing the same snacks for yourself after your yoga class or a tennis match.
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Crunchy, Tasty, Healthy
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Even without colorful packaging and sugary ingredients, kids will eat foods that taste good when it's available. Choose foods that can be easily separated into individual baggies; almonds, dried cranberries, raisins, and high-fiber goldfish crackers or granola make a trail mix kids won't turn their noses up at. Multi-grain crackers with dabs of peanut butter will be a hit, and packaging fruits and veggies in an interesting way, such as in individual cellophane treat baggies will be more inviting than a simple veggie tray.
Quick Quenchers
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Hydration during and after physical activity is important, so don't skimp on the drinks, but don't bring caffeinated or sugary drinks either; these will not replenish the body's liquid supply. Chocolate milk is a healthy choice that will provide both hydration and protein; choose a low-sugar option, which will still taste smooth and chocolaty. Sports drinks with electrolytes can be purchased in low-calorie and low-sugar varieties, or bring plain ice water with a squeeze of lemon. On hot days, bring frozen fruit bars instead of ice cream bars or empty calorie popsicles.
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Teammates with Allergies
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Remember that there might be people on the team who can't always eat what everyone else is eating. Bring alternatives to crackers, such as rice cakes, for kids who can't eat wheat and give a dairy-free teammate some hummus or peanut butter instead of cheese on their crackers. Diabetic kids will appreciate a zero-sugar drink, and a kid with a nut allergy will enjoy his trail-mix with soy nuts. It may sound daunting to meet everyone's needs, but find out if there are special dietary requirements on the team and decide from there how to please everyone.
When Others Provide the Snacks
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When it's not your turn to bring the team's post-game goodies, your child may be offered some less-than-healthy treats by other parents. Doughnuts, candy bars and pop are likely to be available now and then, so educate your child about making good snack choices. Let them know that these items are treats that they can choose not to eat, but can partake it in if they'd like. Be sure your child has access to healthy alternatives; send them to the game with a small goody bag of dried fruits and a low-sugar granola bar to eat as an alternative.
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References
- Photo Credit dried fruit and nuts image by Alison Bowden from Fotolia.com
