By blog team member, Kiran.To learn more about Kiran, check out our team page or her blog!
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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.
To be exact, below was their response:
"Thank you for your passion and efforts. Think this is a big issue and will support you in this."
You can read the entire correspondence with the team here if you'd like.
Thank you for encouraging me to reach out to them - and now it's your turn to also do so. Together we can make a difference!!
Laurie says
The snacks also drive me crazy - they do not need junk food for running around for 30 minutes....I was excited in the fall when my son's soccer team didn't have snacks - and then the last 2 games I heard a few moms go up to the coach and say - you know the parents usually brings snacks after the game - and so it began....I also get so frustrated with the amount of junk that is thrown at my children on a weekly basis at school - someone always has a birthday or there is a holiday party or a mom just brings a king cake for no reason - aaaahhhh. The children now associate junk food with every holiday - I wish that they would just do a craft and play a game - maybe sing some songs during the class parties - but so many parents are not on the same page with this idea.
I am wondering if you have found any overnight camps that provide healthy meals and doesn't give the kids candy bars every day? I would love for my children to go to camp but just can't stand the thought of a week or two with unlimited processed junk....
MonicaB says
I agree with you. I'm trying to teach my children a healthy lifestyle and they get a bunch of junk food after exercising. It makes me sick. This is one time I'm okay with my sons food allergies because he can not eat most of that stuff and he knows I always have a safe (health) snack for him. It's my other kids that are a concern because they want to partake in the feeding frenzy after the game.
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Lisa Labelle says
Where was this photo above of the soccer team taken? I believe my child is in it and am wondering who took it...
bey says
Wow. Let the kids enjoy a treat! Plan accordingly. Save it for after lunch or dinner. It's once a week for crying out loud.
Nancie says
It's easy to say "it's only once a week," but what happens when you have 2 games/week (common where I live), AND, say, a scouting or church or other event where there is a snack, AND a birthday party invitation AND treats given out in class for someone else's birthday, and then holidays, holiday parties... it can go on and on. When you add up all of those "it's just one treat/day/event" snacks it can add up to a LOT of junk.
Tina says
I always find discussions like these from people around the country very interesting. So many different perspectives and cultural norms. My kids have been in organized sports since they were in kindergarten. Soccer, basketball, t-ball, swimming, karate, xc skiing, you name it. Aside from special occasions (end of season, final tournament of the year), none of our teams have ever had regular group snacks or drinks. They are now in 6th and 4th, and still none with junior high sports or travel soccer or basketball. Is it just our community? Coaches expect you to provide snacks/drinks for your own child. No one expects you to bring stuff for everyone on the team, even if it's only when it's your turn. I'm not sure if it's because they realize the kids don't need it, or if it's more to do with economic reasons in that it may be financially difficult for some parents to provide snacks for every kid on the team, even when it's only once. I'm glad I don't have to deal with it though.
Deceptively Educational says
Your account of your daughter's experience is EXACTLY what I'm going through now with my son's basketball team. The first week his game ended at 8:30 at night (the time he's usually in bed) and he was handed a bag of mini oreo cookies and a Capri sun afterwards. My son just looked at me like, "Can I eat these?!?" UGH! All the healthy habits we're working on at home, and the desire to have a physical active child - you'd think those goals would be in sync, but instead they hand out snacks and drinks loaded with artificial flavors, colors, and copious amounts of sugar. I did the same as you and took my turn providing organic crackers and juice boxes. A few kids passed, but that night there was no post-game angst. Relief!
Amanda says
I just wanted to lend my support to this post, since I've seen a bunch of negative comments. I agree 100%, with what Kiran is advocating. I feel very strongly the feeding my family real foods is the best choice, but I try not to ever make others feel bad for their own nutritional choices. My issue with sports snacks is two-fold, however: 1) People are welcome to feed their own children however they'd like, but when they offer my children that food, I feel like I am having to constantly say no to packaged food all the time, and it's frustrating to have to do it once again at an athletics practice. My bigger gripe is: 2) Why do we assume these children need a snack anyway? Water? Absolutely! But snack? My children's tball games run for an hour tops, and most of that time they are sitting on the bench or standing still in the field. There is no reason that they need a snack immediately after the game, especially since they are either about to have a full meal, or had one less than 2 hours earlier. I would love to see ALL team snacks abolished, which would allow individual parents to feed their kids snacks of their choosing, if they so desire.
Taylor says
Great post! The other thing that absolutely drives me nuts is the overabundance of parents who bring Gatorade or Roarin' Waters by Capri Suns. Ummmm...? The ingredients in Roarin' Waters say High Fructose Corn Syrup AND Sucralose (splenda). Then they say that they like it because they are not full of sugar but are flavored water drinks. Really?!? I don't mind my kids having juice boxes if they are 100% juice on occasion. But my kids actually drink very little juice anyway, they prefer water. My 7 year old never hesitates when she sees Roarin Waters to say "No thank you" and reach for her own water bottle...
Liz - Meal Makeover Moms says
Years ago, when my now 19-year old and my now 15-year old played elementary school soccer, I was horrified by all the junk food on the playing field. After playing for an hour, parents would provide sugary drinks and a long list of junk foods including Rice Krispie Treats and Doritos. The garbage on the field after the game was just as frustrating as the junk the kids ingested. Eventually, I wrote a letter to the editor of our local paper called, Bring Back the Oranges Please, and it was well received by the community. Soon after, the town's soccer club agreed to start a Fruit & Water Only policy, which made most of the parents very happy. The best news of all was that the kids loved the fresh fruit! They key is to heighten awareness and then go right to the top. Asking a sport's club to change or start a policy works when most of the parents are behind the idea. BTW, some sports programs have now started a No Snack policy. Parents can provide their own kid with a snack, but otherwise, there is no food provided for the entire team. I live in Lexington, MA
Cat bond says
Liz I would love to know how u began this policy change. Was it just the paper ? Did u receive backlash? Email me directly as I may not get the comment notification. Thx hope u get this!
eclecticdeb says
I'm not sure why you are surprised that "snack time" after games is so popular. After all, the activity of breaking bread and sharing a meal to foster community and teamwork is hard wired into our DNA. In addition, that time is often used by coaches to go over the game, talk about what worked and what didn't. Having said that, I agree with you that there is NO REASON for the "snack" to be so highly processed. REAL FOOD is delicious.
Mandy says
I wish it was a fend for yourself plan for snacks as everyone is on such different pages in terms of nutrition. Half of what is brought for snacks, my children have never seen. I honestly cannot imagine how people think a bag of mini oreos or doritos is acceptable. Add to that that my child is dairy and gluten free and we are the ones other moms stand around and talk about. I had so many moms ask "well what can we bring" and I always responded with real food! Apples, oranges, grapes, bananas, carrots and water...its not rocket science. Shocking!
Mike says
I coach a kids soccer team and after one game the parent in charge of snacks that week brought the coaches beers. It was fantastic, as a coach I highly recommend this "snack" for the coach.
eclecticdeb says
I wish I had those parents when I was coaching!
Boedee says
I so agree. I hated that I felt pressured when it was my turn for soccer snacks to buy and provide the same junk every other parent did. I never allowed my kids to eat what I bought for soccer so why did it buy it for that? I wish I would have been then where I am now in regards to healthy eating. You are a great example! Thank you!
Erika says
I'm soooooo with you!!! In Boston we just did oranges and grapes, but in the SW Chicago suburbs it's all the same garbage junk food and colored fruit water...I'm so glad my boys are in travel soccer and there's no more of the group-snack nonsense. Now we're just fighting the battle of "Gatorade is only necessary for full-day tournaments, not after one game!!" But hey, it's a step.
Elisabethe says
My son also plays for a church league, and during "half time" they provide each kid with a gatorade and some kind of Quaker Oats chocolate chip granola bar. So this is in addition to the goodie bag of junk he gets after the game. And then at practices there is always the mom who thinks her kid needs Cheetos so all the kids are running back and forth to grab some from her industrial sized supply. Drives me bonkers!
Elisabethe says
I love this blog post, and couldn't agree more! What's just as bad as the junk is that parents think they have to go all out with the presentation. They make little personalized goody bags and even include small toys or tiny markers and coloring books, crap like that. It's ridiculous! When it's my turn, I always provide fruit and water, and put it in just plain plastic bags. I am not providing a junk food feast for a bunch of 4 year olds.
Erika says
The snacks drive me crazy. They start in preschool when parents have to send some sort of junk food to school. I don't think that everyone is trying to send junk food, it is just an awareness issue. My poor children have to suffer the consequences once again of being a doctor's child and take raisins and bananas to class.
Karen says
We've been there too. This season my 6 year old son is playing basketball. The first week they had Capri Sun and chips for a snack. We were scheduled for snacks the second week. I asked my son what he thought we should bring and he said strawberries - great idea! So I put together a bunch of baggies of strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and apple slices. And gatorade. We brought a couple extra baggies - at least one to keep our two-year-old happy during the game. The kids loved them, and a sibling of one asked if she could have our last baggie. Apparently it made an impression because they have had fruit for 3 of the last 4 games as snacks. Makes me much happier!
Stacy@ School-Bites.com says
THANK YOU, Kiran, for this thoughtful and informative post. (And for the link to my blog!). Junky sports snacks are a huge problem in my community. You can try talking to the people running the organization about creating a policy for kids' sports snacks. How about a "no snack" rule? Some parents might even be relieved! If your rec district says no to creating a policy(as mine did), then ask about providing a list of healthy snacks for coaches to distribute to parents at the start of every season. Perhaps you can even use the great list that Kiran has provided here. (Kiran, perhaps you even could turn it into a printable PDF?). One last idea is to suggest giving people the goal of bringing a "Cool the Earth" snack that will create no trash--i.e., fresh fruit or something else that can be composted.
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
Love the idea of a printable pdf, Stacy. Be on the lookout!:) And also a great idea with the "Cool the Earth" snack. Keep up the good work on your site, too!!
Stacy@ School-Bites.com says
Thank you, Kiran! Really appreciate the link!! :-)
Kay says
I've been a volunteer coach for a number of kids' sports teams and have witnessed the "snack boom". Oranges and water used to be the norm, then Gatorade became common, then the after-game snack of epic sugar proportions. As a coach, a few words of advice.
Usually the organization won't have an overarching policy on the snacks if it's parent sign-up. Talking to the coach is a good idea, but the coach may not have a lot of power, either. The best bet is going directly to the other parents. One thing I did as a coach that worked very well was asking parents to bring a fruit and some water, in addition to whatever snack they wanted to bring, to accommodate any dietary restrictions (of course some children are allergic to fruit, but it's less likely than the nut, soy or dairy-processing issue that most non-real food has). This way there was always a healthy choice and it became more normalized. I found that dictating that parents must ONLY bring the water and fruit did not work, it had to be in addition to something else, unfortunately.
Finally, it can be tempting to focus on the non-takers if you bring a healthy snack, but I would urge you to focus on the kids who do take the snack. In a season particularly overrun by Fritos and Chips Ahoy, we had one mom bring in a box of freshly-picked apples. The other coach and I looked at each other, expecting there would be a riot. Some kids didn't take one, but the ones who did take an apple were so excited that their teammate picked these apples just for them, and it was an eye-opening reminder that we shouldn't underestimate our kids.
Chelsea Berg says
I struggle with this post. I whole heartedly believe in the real food movement, but you I believe you missed the mark on this one. I'm glad it's being discussed but the call-to-action is wrong in my opinion. A person brings something to share and their generosity is criticized? I don't want to control the parameters of how people can be kind and giving.
I personally think it's a learning opportunity for my kids. They will face tough choices for the rest of their lives and by explaining my thoughts and expectations on how they treat their body, it will help give them the information they will need to make the decisions on their own. I think of it as a chance for them to practice saying "no thank you" to the really scary choices they will face as they get older (drugs, sex, and all the crazy hair-brained ideas I know they will consider doing). I give the kids my opinion but let them make the choice. If they choose to eat the junk, I will point out to them afterwards how it is specifically affecting their bodies (as scientifically as I can) and they have learned to make the connection. My oldest son can recognize when his blood sugar is low, when he is overly hyper, and when he just plain feels lousy after ingesting junk food. It doesn't mean he always makes the right choices, but he has a lot more self control than most children his age. (After one unfortunate incident with a slurpee and bag of fake-butter popcorn, he will barely look at the stuff!)
I also think it's an opportunity to lead by example. I try to be the first person on the sign up list because sometimes all it takes is one person to set the tone for the rest of the season.
Pam says
FINALLY SOMEONE IS DISCUSSING THIS! Soccer games, school holiday parties, individual school birthday parties, etc. Kids do not need junk food! Parents try to outdo one another so their kid is the cool kid by providing the best (in kids eyes) snacks, the coolest birthday celebration, all those annoying tchotchkes kids get at parties! Also, why do we pay for our children to participate in a sport (they should be grateful) and then also pay to give them a trophy at the end of the season! Did they win the championship NO! We think they need the trophy because someone started this years ago for "self esteem"! Kids expect a reward for everything, we need to STOP! Have a nice day.
Anita@ Losing Austin says
At my son's very first tball game he was given chocolate marshmallows. Chocolate marshmallows! I was/am the mom who brought frozen grapes and yogurt.
He's now 10 and playing travel ball there is no team snack- we do have to fuel up between games, but rely on fruit and whole wheat bread sandwiches between games. And lots of water.
It's almost like because the rec leagues are about fun, so are the snacks. And then once the kids get competitive, food becomes more about fuel.
My youngest is just starting tball now, and with my husband the coach this just reminded me to print up an info sheet about snacks and hopefully encourage healthy ones!
Sarah says
Our family has been on the real food bandwagon for a while, but I also consider myself pretty chill, so when it came to what they were feeding my 13 month old at daycare, I was wincing at the menu, but decided it wasn't worth the fuss. Until this past Friday when I showed up and they were having a party that I was not previously informed about. My baby had a plate with a cupcake, two fudge cookies, a handful of gummy bears, a handful of Cheetos and a handful of goldfish.
Needless to say, I am now "that mom". I have put it in writing that she is now longer to have these things and I will now have to provide her with different snacks and alternatives at parties. But it's worth it.
Cathy Stadler says
Hi Kiran!
I actually wrote an email to the Y last spring asking to provide some healthy recommendations for snacks or do away with them entirely. They told me that they had no official policy for snacks since this is something the parents do voluntarily and that I should approach the coach or other parents to decide on healthy alternatives. Makes sense, but I didn't know the other parents well and felt a little strange asking them to bring different snacks, so I left that one alone. I was happy though during basketball this winter. The coach asked that we do NOT bring snacks, but instead bring a $5 donation after the last game to give to the YMCA. I thought that was a great change in the right direction!
Great post!!!
Cathy :)
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
Another great idea, Cathy. I love it! Good for you for speaking up!!
Maryea {happy healthy mama} says
OH yes I have definitely encountered this! It's maddening. When it's my turn to bring snacks, I bring homemade granola bars. Some kids look at them like they have never seen a homemade snack. And yes, some pass. I think it's time I speak up, though. It's too important to let it go. I wrote about it on my blog last year, I hope you don't mind me including the link here.
http://happyhealthymama.com/2013/07/what-ever-happened-to-orange-slices-an-open-letter-to-parents-about-kids-and-snacks.html
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
Absolutely. Thanks for sharing your link, Maryea. I also read this one (http://happyhealthymama.com/2014/03/2-reasons-i-dont-get-fat-hint-one-of-them-is-not-luck.html) and loved it!
David says
We fought this for years with bananas and small waters. We got lots of kids who turned up their noses, but things got better when we switched to "baby" bananas. The cute factor overruled the healthy factor.
Sophia says
Oh my!! Nothing drives me more insane than the snack thing! We have baseball where someone, somewhere decided that the kids need 1000 calories of pizza, chips and soda after an hour of play. We've got cub scouts where it's supposedly necessary to bring chips, a drink, popcorn, fruit, cheese, granola bars etc. etc. for a 45 minute meeting on the flag. I am proudly the 'mean mom' every week. And when its my turn, I try to bring as small, simple and plain a snack as possible. I hope my kids are internalizing the message, but it is not fun to swim against the tide of sugar!
Fanny says
In my village in France, kids don ´t snack after sport. my daughter is in the basketball team and is doing gymnastic, the coach only asked parents to bring water.
Laura says
We live in a pretty health-conscious area so snacks tend to be fruit and a granola bar or yogurt with flavored water (yes, sugar but at least I generally recognize the ingredients). For two years, though, we traveled 20 miles to the closest flag football league and it was exactly what you describe: cheeetos and gatorade every game. So glad they started a new league last season in the neighboring town and no one suggested shared snacks. I hope it stays that way!
Danielle says
I really appreciate your post and I agree whole heartedly. I am an exercise instructor with 3 kids in sports. My family has a very healthy diet with no processed foods. The after sports "snack bags" have looked more like goodie bags from a birthday party filled with cookies, chips, and my favorite...disgusting sugar, food colored dyed Gatorade. Luckily, I'm not the only one in my area who feels they have gotten out of hand. At the beginning of each sports season I will ask the other parents if their child could bring a reusable water bottle and the snack parent provides cut up fruit. Very simple. Most parents and teams are receptive however, I have had some that choose to continue to bring over-the-top "snacks". I hate brung "that mom", but I agree it's gotten out if cobtrol. As you said water and fruit- it's ALL they need. They are niot running a marathon. And by the way I have run marathons and would never fuel myself with snacks in my kids "snack bag". There is also an abundance of unecessary waste and trash created with all theses paper and plastic baggies and bottles that I think we should be steering g away from. Kids take a few sips from a plastic water bottle and then it ends up most of the time in the landfills. Let's go back to simple, easy snacks and taking more responsibility in guiding are kids to healthier food choices that create less waste also.
Mel says
Our rec. soccer league has oranges at half-time, popsicles at the end of the game. That's it. It's league-wide,for all age-groups and everyone knows ahead of time as it's listed in the program description. There are no snacks during or after practices. We had one child with a severe allergy on a team once - his mom brought him oranges and a popsicle each week that he could have(concern was about cross-contamintion with the oranges and possible dairy in a popsicle) Softball was popsicles after the game - again-everyone knew ahead of time that was the treat and it was the same for all teams.
Cadence says
We're gearing up for baseball season for my oldest son (he is 6) and same thing each parent has to pack a snack and a drink (mine is more than likely going to be carrots and water) but he also plays ice hockey 2 days a week and they don't have snacks there they play hard and drink water and I pack his snack that is good for his recovery!
And what about at the end of run races? Sure there are bananas, bagels (not sure what kind but sure not the healthy kind I'd imagine), oranges and water, but there have many times been donuts, pizza, powerade or gatorade. So even with adults it's the same thing, they want the cheapest food they can get to feed the masses!
Anna says
Thank you! My daughters t-ball team always had snacks after. I brought mandarins, string cheese and organic juice boxes. I figured this was a super treat. Surprise several kids turned me down. I guess it wasn't as good as the chips and capri suns they were getting from other parents. My husband says one of his favorite memories from playing high school football was the coach at the end of the year would bring a truck load of watermelons for the team. They would go to town...and be completely sick after eating almost a whole watermelon...by themselves. But hey real food!
MAMA Street says
Teach your "healthy" eating kids to say "No Thank You". Bring your own snacks if you have a problem with what is being offered and take you name off the snack rotation list, "IT THAT SIMPLE".
Jan says
Kids do NOT need snacks constantly!!! I am 60 and when we were kids we played all day, and I mean physically, and we ate meals and maybe an occasional ice cream bar or popsicle, but nobody had regular snacks. In fact, they were exceptional and a real treat. These days kids are plied with all kinds of stuff and made to think they need all this stuff. Wise up, young parents!!
Laura says
It isn't just the parents. At school, they get "breakfast" (really, a snack) at 9 or so, eat lunch between 11:20 and 12:10 (depending on grade), get a snack immediately after school (2:30) if they are in the after care, another snack at 5ish (if they're still in care) and then don't want dinner at 6:30 but are hungry at bedtime. Drove me crazy when I was working full time.
Alicia says
The after-game snack makes me cringe too. :( I'm that mom who brings small bottles of water, cut up strawberries in a bag, and 100% whole wheat crackers. Several moms thanked me for the healthy snack (I purposely signed up to be the first one). One said that her kids wanted to bring fruit too.