As parents, we invest a lot of time and money into our children’s sports and activities: lessons, equipment, training, and practice. It is equally important to focus on a good diet, including snacks, for optimal performance.
Healthy snacks before practice help regulate blood sugar and sustain energy. Post workout snacks should replenish nutrients and support muscles with hydration and protein.
- Pre-workout: NOURISH AND FUEL with super-food snacks filled with fiber, whole-grain carbohydrates, protein, and natural fats and sugars.
- Post workout: SUSTAIN ENERGY AND HYDRATE with healthy protein and hydrating fruits and vegetables.
Not Helpful: Extra sweet and high sugar snacks, candy, soda and sports drinks. These snacks can lead to a sugar spike and then low blood sugar, fatigue, and cranky kids. Foods high in processed carbohydrates and fat can lead to stomachaches and sluggishness in the short-term and much more devastating health issues long-term.
Use this printable SNACK INSPIRATION LIST for a shopping list, and then load up your pantry and refrigerator to make those busy sports days easier with grab-and-go snacks.
For more information on quality sports snacks for kids see:
- An informative article from the website Super Foods Rx, After-Sports Snacks by Dr. Dr. Geoffrey Harris
- A Carbohydrate and Calorie Content of Foods By Item from the website MomsTeam
- The Table365 Pinterest site
Go Team!
