Healthy Post-game Snacks for Kids

Jupiterimages/ Royalty-free/ Getty Images
Jupiterimages/ Royalty-free/ Getty Images

He shoots, he scores and your team wins by two points — but they may end up losing overall points on the health scoreboard if nutrient-poor and sugar-rich snacks and sports drinks are served post-game.

A healthy post-sporting event snack is one that is unrefined (not overly processed), may include a protein (made up of lean meat, nut butter, nuts, seeds or low fat dairy products) and is fiber-rich (containing fruits and vegetables ). If you are trying to replenish and rehydrate a young athlete, you want to avoid foods that are filled with sugar, chemicals, additives and colors.

Here is a list of 12 inexpensive options to keep the young athletes healthy and happy!

  • Apple slices or carrot sticks. Kids love to crunch. Fill them up with fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants after the big game.
  • Orange slices. Perfect to make smiles turn orange and fun while kids reap the juicy benefits of natural juice, fiber and vitamin C.
  • Bananas. This appealing snack is packed with potassium, which may be lost during sport events.
  • Trail mix. Can be made by mixing seeds, nuts, whole grain cereal such as Cheerios, dried fruit such as raisins or craisins, pretzels and tiny chocolate chips. This mix is protein and fiber-rich as well as filling!
  • Low-fat yogurt sticks. Freeze them the night before for a protein-rich and cool snack.
  • Two-percent cheese sticks and whole grain crackers (i.e. Wheat Thins). Refuel the muscles with protein from the cheese and fiber from the whole grains.
  • Raisins. The original “fast food” that packs a nutritious punch.
  • Applesauce squeezers. This fun pouch is full of fiber and vitamins.
  • Pirate Booty puffed corn. These contain one of the lowest amounts of salt in all the chip options.
  • Popcorn. Natural and the original whole grain and unrefined snack.
  • Pretzels and Gold Fish. Whole grain goodness that kids love.
  • Granola bars. Packed with nuts, whole grains and sometimes dried fruit. These nature’s candy bars are a great option for kids. Try Clif bars, Kind bars or Cascadian Farms brands.

To rehydrate don’t forget about WATER — the most important drink there is. Other alternatives include coconut water and 100 percent fruit juice. If you feel pressure to choose a “sports drink,” pick one that does not have artificial colors added and is low in sugar. (examples: Vitamin Water ZERO, Gatorade Ice Punch and Gatorade Frost.)

Fueling up after a game is a great place to teach about foods that are healthy. Next time you have snack duty, skip the donuts and sports drinks aisle — their little bodies will thank you!

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Brandi Thompson
Brandi Thompson, RD, LDN, is a registered and licensed dietitian and a mom of two young children. She is also the ambassador of Boca Raton's Food Revolution Day and a consultant for Broward County's TOUCH grant for preschools. Read her blog, ABCD Eat Right, and follow her Dietitian's Husband Unrefined journey on Facebook.