By blog team member, Kiran.To learn more about Kiran, check out our team page or her blog!
Eating real food is important to me and just as important for my family. I know firsthand that this is not always easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight. But as parents, I feel that it’s our job to give our kids the knowledge of what healthy actually means—both in and outside the house.
Our First Soccer Experience
Last fall, my 7 year old joined the local soccer league – a very organized one at that. We’re still in the stage of figuring out where our kids’ talents lie, and for this season, it was soccer. One practice a week and one game on weekends…that I could handle. But the snack situation I could not.
The first game rolled around, and each girl was instructed to bring a water bottle. Super, I thought. They absolutely need hydration. The coach had brought a big bag of oranges, cut and ready to be consumed, which the kids ate during the 45 minute game. Awesome! I loved that they had a sweet, nourishing whole food snack and water to nosh on while taking a breather.
But then when they finished the game and were given a bag of Cheez-It’s and a Capri Sun, I was baffled. Um, really? But what was I going to do, be the mean mom who wouldn’t let my daughter take the snack? (I was not the mean mom this time.)
Shortly thereafter I received a sign-up sheet. Apparently this was going to be the norm. Each parent was to sign up to bring cut oranges for one of the games, and on that same day they were responsible for supplying the snack.
Snacks vs. Soccer
My first issue is this. When it comes to recreational sports for kids, they don’t really need a snack afterwards. If they are fed a good, solid breakfast prior to the game and then they hydrate and eat oranges during, do they really need something else right afterwards?
I’ll admit that I don’t have a degree in sports nutrition, so I reached out to an expert on the subject. Nancy Clark is a registered dietitian and best-selling author who is known for her book, Nancy Clark’s Sports Nutrition Guidebook. She concurred saying,
“The determining factor is how hard the kids have played. If they have gone all out and done exhaustive exercise or if they will be playing again in 6-8 hours, they need to rapidly refuel. However if they just played a friendly game of soccer and are hungry afterwards, they can go have lunch. Kids bodies are very good at regulating; they know when they are hungry and know to eat when they are. If you put Cheetos in front of them, they will eat them just because…but they’d probably be fine heading home to have lunch.”
I also have an issue with kids getting unnecessary snacks because, once again, I feel that we are programming our kids to think that you always get something when you do something. In this case, the kids were more excited about the snacks than the actual game. Whatever happened to just being proud of playing and feeling good about what you just did? When did we lose this simplicity?
During our soccer season, these are some of the snacks my daughter received:
- Cheese-Its and Capri Sun
- Doritos and Gatorade
- Cheetos and a juice box
- Chex Mix and a juice box
- Potato chips and a Gatorade
- Pretzels (made from refined white flour) and a Powerade
I have to admit that I had angst for a few weeks before it was my turn. As the soccer team was poisoning (Okay, okay. Maybe that’s a strong word. Brainwashing?) my daughter into thinking she’d have these highly processed snacks, what could I bring that would satisfy on all levels? I opted for squeezable applesauce and whole wheat pretzels. And water. For Pete’s sake, what’s wrong with just some water to drink afterwards??!
I had two non-takers; I’m not going to lie. But most left feeling happy, especially my kids (I had brought extra for my three other children). And me. It was a win, and I’m not talking soccer.
What Can We Do About It?
I realize that I’m not going to change every sports association out there. Though I’m really, really hopeful (hint, hint) that some of you will read this and take action, I’m sure that snacks of some sort will continue. So I’ve included a list of better choices in case you have to sign up for snack duty for your child’s sports. And note that I realize many organizations probably won’t let you make your own goodies to bring, though how great would that be??
Healthy Sports Team Snack Ideas
- Carrot sticks (in baggies*)
- Apple slices (in baggies*)
- Mini apples
- Whole-wheat pretzels
- Lara Bars
- Dried whole grain cereal (such as puffed brown rice or organic corn)
- Bananas
- Squeezable applesauces
- Unsweetened applesauce cups
- Dried dates (in baggies*)
- Strawberries (whole with tops cut off, in baggies*)
- Oranges
- Bags of popcorn made using The Popcorn Trick
- Small bag of almonds (Trader Joe’s sells these) – not suitable for those with nut allergies
- Raisins
For more ideas check out our list of 85 snack ideas for kids and adults!
*A great alternative to regular plastic bags are these bio-degradable monster bags.
I’m not the only one who is fired up about this. Sally from Real Mom Nutrition has a great post that includes all the tools you need to be proactive about being a “snactivist” when it comes to sport snacks. School Bites has another great post on the topic.
Please share your thoughts. Have you encountered this? And if so, how did you handle it?
March 7, 2014 update:
I am ecstatic to share that I took some of the commenters’ advice. A few of you had suggested not just talking about it, but doing something about it. So I reached out to our local soccer association who was 100% on board with it. They had me put together a letter to go out to all parents regarding the topic, along with suggested snacks (above), though it’s up to the coach to decide whether or not they want to implement a snack rotation. I was sure to suggest oranges and waters for during the game. They also are including this information on their website.
Why I Don’t Read Nutrition Facts Labels (with one exception)
I am so annoyed that while googling “healthy soccer snacks”, this extremely uppity post was the first one that came up. Truly, there are some VERY controlling parents on this thread. As if our kids aren’t stressed enough, you are acting like it’s a terrible thing that your child would dare to receive a snack you don’t approve of. You can’t control everything. It’s parents like you that take all of the fun out of school anymore. No longer are the days where kids can bring in Birthday snacks to share with the class (at least in our district) nor can they dress up for Halloween. Your control could backfire on you in the future. Especially when your child leaves home and wants to eat ALL the snacks you withheld from them while growing up.
My four year old was once given a can of Pepsi and funyons for snack…. and I wish I was making that up! When it’s my turn to bring snack, it’s orange slices and water!!!
I’ve been coaching my own kids soccer teams for about 8 years. I’ve always cringed at the “snacks” people bring. I fully agree with fruit and water. If kids MUST have snacks afterwards they should be healthy. To those who think we’re overthinking it, sugary processed “snacks” are in no way natural, nor are they some kind of historic entitlement. I have always encouraged my parents to bring healthy snacks. No meat or nuts for dietary restrictions, which you could expand to include Gluten. It’s tough though, and to make it tougher, I’ve tried very hard to steer kids/parents away from disposable packaging. Bananas, oranges, apples, watermelon, are all fun and come without packaging. I always encourage reusable water bottles as well. Thanks for your article.
Hi Todd,
Thanks for sharing this. We love hearing from other parents and coaches who also want to see this change. Keep up the good work! – Nicole
Thank you for this article and for all the supportive comments. Of course it feels good to give kids the things they like, but for every person saying their sugary snack is just one time, there are 10 people a week wanting their snack to be the one time for my child. And there is one parent, me, needing to either be Bad Mom and say no 10 times or allow 10 exceptions to a rule I value. Are we bringing snack to games to keep our kids healthy (replenish their energy)? Or are we bringing it to make ourselves feel good as they exclaim with joy over their frosted cookies with sprinkles?
Just thought I’d post my own point of view all this issue. If my kid is going to eat A snack after game, It has to be pre packaged (store bought) Or I have to know that person has good Hand hygiene. Working at a nursing home, I know that so many people don’t wash their hands. Like hand washing should be done 5+ times a day no matter what minimum. And even thats a little scary. My kid will not be Eating anything someone made at home or taking anything in a glad baggie. But it’s not because I don’t want them to eat healthy food. My mom Found some pre packaged. Individually packaged Apple slices at H EB. Those work great.
Thank you for this! This really bugged me when my kids played soccer. Why do kids need any snack at all, never mind two for a game that lasts 60-90 minutes?
I agree. No need for snacks. When other parents give the gaterade, cheetos, doritos, etc…. and I see my son eating it, I cringe….I’d rather give my own child a snack that is a reflection of my values when it comes to nutrition.
I love this! BRING YOUR OWN SNACK FOR YOUR OWN KID.
I’m already the weirdo mom because I have opted out of digital learning in a district where the kids are plopped in front of the iPad (first grade) to teach them math and reading. It’s called “personalized,” because presumably they can pick what fun app they’ll use and work at their own pace. One kid was googling “Naked Ladys butts,” in First Grade, on the “filtered school server, and getting results and oogling naked ladys butts during class.. Junk Food, Junk School, Junk Teaching…
It’s all good; be your own person. Sounds like you are doing the right thing, anyhow!
Your list of bad snack ideas shows up as the first Google result for “snacks for soccer.” Kind of the opposite of what you’re hoping to accomplish here.
No other sport has organized team snacks and sign-ups. It further relegates soccer to a wussy soft sport. Hello? Can we not manage to bring our own snack if we so choose after a measley 45 minute game? Are our kids going to starve at a 1:00 game right after lunch? We as parents already have too much crap on our plates. Why the hell are we doing this to each other? The ridiculous time some parents put into it with special bags and whatnot. STOP IT! JUST STOP IT! Bring your own damn snack for your own damn kid if you feel they’re going to wither away! Just stop with the insane organized team snacks!
You’re taking this way too seriously. It’s just a snack. Your kids are not going to develop bad habits from eating a few chips and drinking a sports drink once a week. Lighten up!
I agree with Susie! What is even more concerning is your use of words like “poisoning” and “brainwashing” to describe kids eating an “unhealthy” snack once a week. It is from this mindset that eating disorders, i.e. orthorexia, are born. Limiting junk food is obviously a good thing, but to say a child can never have a snack with their sports team is absurd.
I think snacks are ridiculous…especially when my daughter turned into a tween and then teenager and the coach and other parents still expected me to bring snacks for the whole team. I’m sorry, but if your kid is old enough to go to the kitchen and cook themselves a full meal then they are old enough to remember to bring themselves a snack. I refused to participate in the shack sign up and the other moms learned to stop asking me. Especially because teens do what they want and wouldn’t even eat what was brought and it would go to waste. My daughter always brings her own food without having to be told. Not to mention the fact our kids all go to private school and not one of her teammates was underprivileged. I’m happy to bring food for all in those situations.
I am so happy to know that I am not alone in my feelings! This is my first year in a soccer league, and have been surprised by the juice, and truly junk food brought for after soccer snacks. I really don’t see the need for this, or like you said, any snack at all. I am happy to know there are other moms with the same viewpoints!
I too will be bringing water, and a fruit/vegetable or popcorn!
I agree COMPLETELY on the junk snacks! My daughter is obese due to medical issues. She should not be offered these things after she is pushing to participate in the first place. I’m fine with bday party treats as it’s a special occasion but snacks after sports is just ridiculous. They are leaving, their parents can feed them! I came across this post because I’m in a different situation and wanted various healthy snack ideas. My kids have lunch at school at 1:00 then straight to rigorous practice until 5:00. The kids need a healthy snack BEFORE. And kids with allergies need to be considered. I’d rather just suck it up and do it myself instead of them getting crap or some children having to be excluded.
Group snack is another time my severe allergy child may be left out again. Last season there were three allergic children on the team. One had a severe milk allergy and many snacks such as yogurt were dangerous for him to be around. In addition, there are children with celiac, gluten intolerance, and many other health issues that restrict diet. Parents can feed their own children.
Also, even orange slices are not safe for children with severe allergies or celiac. Trace amounts from shared knifes, lack of hand washing, etc are enough for a life threatening reaction when dealing with severe allegies.
I LOVE this! I couldn’t agree more with you, but I’d like to make a suggestion…
So I am dating this awesome guy, who has two fun and energetic boys who play for a local football team. Not only is he a parent of the team, but also a part of the team’s board.
Anyways, it was his turn to bring snacks, and he looked to me for advice knowing how big I am on organic food and often encouraging healthy choices wherever the opportunity arises. I offered some fruit and sandwich Ka-bobs I found on pinterest. The kids loved them!
Relating back to your first paragraph, when you mentioned how it isn’t an easy process teaching and encouraging children about healthy intake choices…I found it is a great idea to not only give them healthy food, but make it fun for them as well. For example, simply cutting the fruits into fun shapes or making it fun and easy to eat by sticking them on ka-bobs, makes it easier for the kids to enjoy and ask for more!
First I want to say THANK YOU for bringing attention to this crazy “Snack obsession.” When my son was a few months old his pediatrician (who is a father of five) said, “Children don’t need snacks. They can wait to eat at mealtimes.”
I am an old mom. I had my one and only child at age 46. When I was a kid there was no such thing as “SNACKS,’ That was called “EATING BETWEEN MEALS” and it was generally recognized as a bad habit-by everyone.
That was late sixties early seventies when junk food was creeping into the mainstream. My mother is 86. She was healthy her whole life, no asthma, no obesity, She used to say: “I loved Lima Beans, I loved all vegetables I ate whatever my mother put on my plate.” One day I asked her, “Mom, how were you such a healthy eater growing up? How did you love vegetables most kids don’t?”
She answered,” Oh, it was because my mother had a very strict rule: No eating between meals. I was hungry.”
Common Sense is gone. We have an obesity epidemic that just happens to be at the same time we have a snack epidemic.
Some of my son’s sports snacks have been:
Rice krispies marshmallow treats (prepackaged-not homemade)
Sun Chips
Doritos
I hate it. It angers me. These are served right before lunch or dinner. Wake up American mothers. Time to grow up and not go along with the crowd and keep thinking everything has to be entertaining, even food.
Reminds me of that episode of Everyone loves Raymond! If you haven’t saw it you should! The coach has a list of APPROVED snacks! Lmao!
Thanks for this article. I was googling around to see what I can bring (as it’s my turn to be snack mom) and I found this. I shared it to my page @PiccoloChef and gave you a shout out. To be honest, every time we get a snack bag from some sport, we keep it in the ‘homeless box’ I keep in my car. Whenever we get off the freeway, we just hand the snacks over to the local homeless guys.
Great idea! That way the food someone worked to pay for won’t go to waste and it helps someone who does not have the luxury of being so picky and stuck up in their food choices. I like it.
Great info! I have been feeling the same way about snacks during soccer. I am an outpatient dietitian and have worked in pediatrics setting. I have worked with weight management and eating disorders.
My daughter is 4 years old and just started playing soccer. This week is our turn to bring snacks and I am a firm believer that they don’t need snacks during half time. Most of them have only played for 6 minutes total at the time. Tomorrow is our turn to bring snacks and my husband told me other kids aren’t going to want your healthy snacks! so far we have had cookies and juice! ughh!
I did it. Just sent this letter:
Dear Parents,
I was charged with organizing refreshments for the team after games. Admittedly, I was completely fine that for two games straight they had their water bottles and after 1.5 hours of play, went home and survived. Without a “snack”.
So, here is my thought: if you want to bring a refreshment after a game, consider the standard orange slices, apple sauce squirts, apples or raisins… Something wholesome.
Please REPLY ALL when choosing a week or to opt out. Please do not feel obligated. I will be happy to keep the list and send out a reminder.
I hope my idea is not too bold. I apologize if I have insulted anyone.
Beth (Chase’s mom)
Almost instantly, I received a reply for next week. That $#/t better not be Cheetos.
Good for you, Beth!
Keep us posted on how it goes:).
Kiran