Youth sports teams often leave itup to the parents to bring half-time or post-game snacks. Most parents rotate the responsibility, giving each family a chance to participate. That means you'll be up for snack duty before you know it.Between picky palates and pesky allergies, choosing the best snacks for your child’s sports team can feel like a lot of pressure,but have no fear! Take a look at these tips for how to knock your snack week out of the park.
Plan for Success
Different families have different ideas about which snacks are great for game day. Unsurprisingly, children scream for ice cream or other highly sugary or salty treats like cookies, chips, and soda. While these treats are great for special occasions, parents will agree that it's better to providehealthy snacks such as fresh fruit or whole wheat crackers.
How do you please both parents and players when it’s your turn to bring the snacks? Like most parenting tasks, it’s a matter of compromise and balance. The best snacks are those that fall somewhere along the spectrum of both fun and healthy.
Before choosing any snacks, be sure to find out if anyone on the team has food allergies. You may need to avoid foods that containnuts, dairy, or gluten. If your child’s sports team does restrict certain foods, be sure to read the labels on any snack items you buy. Even a tiny trace of certain allergens could cause a serious, life-threatening reactions in some people. When in doubt, don't hesitate to contact the parents of the child with the allergy. They'll no doubt appreciate your effort to make sure their child is safe.
When buying snacks for your child’s sports team, remember timing. Consider whether they will be eaten before the game, during half-time, or after the game is done. Before the game, healthy, complex carbohydrates are best because they give players plenty of energy. Half-time and post-game snacks should be lighter and replenishing, like fresh fruit and sports drinks to help kids refuel and rehydrate.
Drinks
During and after a game, your child’s sports team will need to stay hydrated and replace the fluids they lost while playing. Sports drinks are a good choice because they have added electrolytes, but you can also opt for fresh-squeezed juice or bottled water. Avoid drinks with excessive added sugar, or the kids might crash after a sugar rush before the end of the game.
Fresh Fruit
Providing fresh fruit is a great, nutritious way to refuel your child’s sports team. Orange slices, bananas, seedless grapes, and chunks of melon are all popular options. Kids love fruitfor its sweetness, and parents appreciate the added vitamins and fiber that are a natural part of the package. If you decide to bring apple slices, sprinkle them with some orange or lemon juice to keep them from browning before snack time.
Dried Fruit or Fruit Snacks
If the players on your child’s sports team aren’t responsive to fresh fruit, they may be more interested in dried fruit like raisins or dried apricots. Other kid-friendly options include fruit snacks or fruit roll-ups that are made from 100% real fruit.
Healthy Carbs
Granola bars, crackers, pretzels, and popcorn are crowd favorites and offer plenty of carbs for energ. Even some sweets, like fig bars, animal crackers, or oatmeal cookies can be good options. Look for lower-sugarsnacks made with whole grains to give your child’s sports team a nutritious treat.
Dairy and Protein
Other healthy snack ideas include options that provide a protein boost. Try low-fat string cheese, yogurt, trail mix, or peanut butter on crackers. For a heartier snack you can even roll slices of turkey and cheese in small, whole-grain tortillas.
