Healthy Habits for the Young Athlete

"If you want to eat a secret snack, eat it in the basement."
Danny, age 10

As we prepare for the season we will be playing games that will sometimes end way past supper time. It is important to provide a good after game snack, one in which will provide and replenish nutrients. Try to avoid snacks loaded with sugar and drinks loaded with caffeine. These two ingredients are not a good combination especially on late nights.

To satisfy thirst chose water or 100% no sugar added fruit juices. To satisfy hunger, good choices would be fruit such as apples, bananas, or raisins. More smart snack choices would be animal crackers, graham crackers, granola bars, baked chips, bagels, yogurt or cheese.

It is fine on occasion to have those snacks like candy bars, cola, or candy, but remember that fun snacks should be a reward, healthy snacks should be a habit.

"We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence is thus not an act, but a habit."

Teach your child good snacking habits, so that he or she can perform with excellence both on and off the field.