Just for Kids

Eat For the Team

Professional sports teams, such as the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, now include nutrition as part of their training plans. Players are looking for any way to give their game boost. It’s not just the pros who can get better with healthy eating. You can too, whether you’re into indoor soccer, hockey or skiing.

Colleen Parsons-Olsson is the Director of Health and Fitness programs at the University of Calgary. She says kids need to pay more attention to nutrition if they play sports. “Have a snack before you exercise and then again soon after,” she says.

An hour or so before your game or practice, eat a little something. The closer to game time, the smaller the snack should be. Soon after the workout, have another snack, maybe a treat such as sweetened yogurt or chocolate milk. Parsons-Olsson says that while kids should eat less sugar, right after a workout, your body needs it for recovery. And be sure to drink lots. Sports drinks such as Gatorade are generally too sweet and salty. Try plain old water instead.

Post game treats

• Sweetened yogurt and fruit
• Chocolate milk and a muffin
• Milk and cookies
• A granola bar and water
• Half a ham and cheese sandwich and yogurt drink
• A banana and a handful of nuts and seeds

Darcy's Birdseed Cookies