That day the snack was a cupcake and Capri-Sun (only 10 percent fruit juice). Two days later, a co-worker began to talk to me about how she was appalled by the after-game snack her 6-year-old child was provided over the weekend. She proceeded to say she feels she is in a hard place for if she gives what she considers a healthy snack her child may be ostracized or embarrassed.
We seem to live in a culture where we all talk about childhood obesity and the importance of promoting good nutrition and exercise, but our behavior does not show that we really care. If we want to promote an overall healthy lifestyle in our children, should we not encourage good nutrition whenever we can and not have to worry about whether a child will be teased for bringing fruit instead of fudge rounds? I often hear parents say kids won’t eat it if it is healthy. However, what if healthy snacks become the norm and to what they are accustomed?
As a caveat, I know we each may have our view of what is or is not healthy. So I will define it as anything that has little to no added sugar or fat and limited to no processing.
So if you are on board with me, here are some suggestions (if not, stop reading):
For coaches:
1) Create a team policy. Develop a list of snacks that parents sign up to bring throughout the season. This will help parents like my coworker to not have to worry as much about their child being teased as well as promoting healthy after game fuel.
For parents:
1) Be a pioneer and bring a healthy snack.
• Bake a homemade healthy cookie, granola bar or other goody. This way you can use whole wheat flour, decrease the amount of sugar and use alternative fat sources. There are some great websites that have healthier recipes. Check out www.cookinglight.com or the blog www.chocolatecoveredkate.com.
• Make your own trail mix with nuts, oats, coconut, chocolate chips and raisins (you may need to find an alternative to nuts if any kids on the team have an allergy to nuts).
• Bring a fruit for each kid such as a banana or apple.
• Carrot sticks and cheese or peanut butter (again need to be careful of allergies).
• A yogurt cup and blueberries.
• For beverages try to stay clear of high sugar drinks such as Gatorade (actually made for endurance athletes), Hi-C juice boxes and Capri-Suns, especially if not 100 percent fruit juice. Instead opt for the small 100 percent fruit juice boxes, milk boxes or water.
2) Organize other parents to do the same. Try to talk with other parents and see if you can have others join your cause.
So again, many of you may be thinking “So what if my kid has a cupcake and a Capri-Sun after a game, it is only once a week.” However, I believe these small changes can lead to a different norm even outside of just the after sport snack.
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