3 Healthy Half-time Child-Fueling Snack Ideas

All you soccer moms and other mini-van driving sports mothers probably know how important proper nutrition is for your little athletes. You might know about the importance of carbo-loading the night before and a few hours prior to sporting events. 

And you’ve probably been asked to offer your services as a half-time snack waitress once or twice already.  If you haven’t, or if you’re just beginning to play the role of sports momma, it’s nice to be prepared when the time comes.  

Keeping our little ones safe on the field doesn’t end with the proper soccer brace for that troubled knee, or the right shin guards, mouth guards, or other similar physical protectants for any sport.  It actually begins at the cellular level, through proper nutrition and healthy snack choices.  In lieu of this, here are some great snack choices for any sports’ halftime health check:

Orange Slices

This tends to be the most popular of the half-time snacks, and for pretty good reason.  Orange slices are not only sweet and delicious, they’re also very hydrating, high in vitamin C, Vitamin A, and super easy to prepare/ingest for the little ones.  It’s also a good source of fiber which helps to slow the absorption of glucose into the bloodstream, reducing the risk of spikes in blood sugar which can make a child feel sluggish or tired during a sporting activity.    

Bananas

It’s surprising to me how few mothers bring bananas as half-time treats. Bananas have a very high carbohydrate level compared to other fruits, are high in fiber, and are also highly effective in replacing potassium lost through sweat. These three factors combine to make bananas a great choice for mid-game meals as they boost energy levels, and help minimize muscle cramping.  If you’ve ever watched professional tennis, chances are you’ve seen players eating bananas between sets for these very reasons.  Cutting them in half for the ittle ones makes for easy peeling and quick consumption.

Apple Wedges

Similar to both of the previous two, apples are also high in fiber, low in fat, and a great natural supplement for energy production.  They are also very hydrating and vitamin-rich fruits as well.  And perhaps the best thing about apples, is the each with which they can be prepared.  They also lend themselves well to adding a bit of protein by spreading some peanut butter on top of each slice, a sure-fired way to get a smile out of your little athletes during the mid-game feast. 

No matter what age your athlete happens to be, eating right before, during, and after games and workouts makes up a big part of feeling good, staying healthy, and operating at peak performance levels.  If you run the risk of embarrassing an older child with mid-game snacks, at least get them educated about the benefits that these fruits and ideas offer in terms of their sporting careers.  

Eating right can make the difference between being fully ready for a game physically, or feeling devoid of energy and sluggish on the field.  Act accordingly, and enjoy a healthy, energy packed athletic career.