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!!
J says
Let's kids have fun having some refreshment. ..
It's only once a week. Our family eat healty food everyday...No candies, No chocolates and cookies once a week. So... soccer game is fun for them and sweets are for nice treat. They deserve it(once a week ). Cheers ... ;)
Kate says
"If they are fed a good, solid breakfast prior to the game" - sadly this is part of the problem. So many kids do not get a proper breakfast in the morning, especially if it's a rushed morning. 'Here's your "whole-wheat" pop-tart, Sweetie.'
Benny's mom says
Kiran, thank you so much for this post! My son plays sports through the sports league and I have been struggling with the unhealthy snacks practices that we currently have in place. Parents do not simply given 1 bag with a snack size Cheetos bag and a Capri Sun juice, but rather a bag filled with several snacks! For example, after this morning's 10AM game, my son was handed a doggie bag that contained 1 Cheetos bag, 1 z bar, 1 fruit roll up, 1 cheese stick and 1 blue gatorade.
I shared my discontentment with snack practices with other parents in the past and some expressed feeling the same, but I never addressed it. To start, I didn't know who to talk to--the parks and recs programs coordinator or the volunteer parent coach and second, I didn't want to be "that parent," you know, the one that has the complaints. I also felt that whoever I spoke with might not be receptive or they might think I was being bossy.
Today, however, I spoke up, rather than imagine what others' perceptions might be and I shared my concerns with the Programs coordinator and guess what? He was very receptive to my concern and ideas. Two points arose from our conversation that I think are worth noting: 1. Cost and convenience plays a role in the types of snacks that parents choose and 2. People at the park, and/or perhaps also other sports associations lack the knowledge to implement snack recommendations to a socio-economically diverse community such as ours.
Given that this snack issue is close to my heart I volunteered to do a bit of research and write-up a healthy snacks handout, which is how I came upon your super informative blog. And I felt compelled to comment because I wanted to support your call to action. I think sometimes we hold back because we think others will not listen or agree with our concerns, but my example like yours shows that people do care and they do want to hear concerns--changes are they have them too--they probably just don't know what to do about it.
Thanks again for sharing your experience and the helpful tips.
L. Taylor says
I have to admit I'm really beginning to resent this whole custom! But, you inspired me to write a letter to the manager of our soccer program and also a letter to the team parents. So far the Soccer manager has replied favorably saying he appreciates my feedback and is considering the program's position going forward. I figure that is a baby step at least. I didn't get any reply from the letter to the parents, but the coach did call me mostly to tell me not to use the 'reply all' email option. One small win and one lose I guess. I posted both of my letters on my blog, http://clearingmud.wordpress.com in case anyone wants to use them. We've got to keep up the good fight!
Kiran says
I'm so glad that you were inspired - and then did something about it! Baby steps is right. Keep on fighting the fight; we will get there!
M.B. says
OMG!! My hubby thought I wrote the article because we have been so disgusted with the "snack" thing. We are giving this soccer thing a trial run. Son loves it but I don't love the "isisms". "Flavored water, snack, goldfish, blah, blah, blah. Why do we feel kids need to snack all the time. Thank you. I'm breaking out my Nancy Clark Sports Nutiriton book right now from my college athletics days. My snack will be chocolate milk (better than Gatorade for post workout) and apple slices. Besides the week we have snack our game is at 11, shouldn't everyone be going home for a family lunch. We discreetly don't eat the snacks provided we go to the car and have our own snack. ;-) (string cheese, apples, banana, milk, nuts ,etc)
[email protected] says
I agree: WE DON'T NEED TO GIVE THEM A SNACK! Parents can feed their kids the way they see fit after the game. The Mom I can't be is the Mom who while all the other kids are diving in to their Doritoes and Gatorade, pulls her child aways and says, "you can't have that". (I understand some need to do that for food allergies.) Our kids aren't going to say you're right Mom, dinner is in an hour and this stuff is bad for me. They're going to be thinking that looks delicious and that's not fair, I want some too. They're young children and we can't expect them to says no, and pass on that kind of junk food because it's bad for them. I wouldn't expect that kind of restraint, from young children. So I let my kids partake in the snack, wishing all the while they would just skip the snack!
Heather Wedewer says
Thank you for posting this. I too am frustrated with the fact that I have to bring snacks for other peoples kids that probably won't even eat them! I have posted this on my facebook page to get the word out there!
Thanks again, I was starting to feel like I was the only one who felt this way.
Ida says
I think this discussion is so interesting. When we moved to the US, I was surprised by all the snacking. Even though most parents where we lived usually would pick relatively healthy snacks, I was surprised by the idea that kids need to eat outside the regular meals. Every time we had activities at school, daycare, outside school (even the piano recital!), we had to bring some kind of snack. It worried me that the kids would learn that you can't have a special event that doesn't involve eating.
We have move back home to Europe, and the kids are back to the eating schedule that I am used to. They seem to be doing fine without the snack, and it's one less thing for me to worry about when I try to schedule my week.
Joy says
The first day of my son's flag football practice the coach announced that the boys were old enough to bring there own snacks after games and that they would not be organized by the team. Cheers went up from moms in the crowd. Since then, I have proposed this to other of our coaches and they have been very happy to announce this to their teams. I have found that most moms appreciate this.
Natalie says
Thanks for your post. I have a related issue. I recently brought attention to the horrible snacks served in our afterschool program. They say that they pick cookies and graham crackers or pretzels out of convenience and price, but really the kids are eating total crap. I was pissed and now got myself on a parent oriented project to do something about this. Working fast since this is week #2 of crap snacks and I want this to end asap. So glad more and more people are realizing that quality snacking is very important.
Michelle says
I'm so on board with this!!! I brought it up to some of my soccer mom friends though who seemed to think I was trying to deprive the kids of something that they "need" or deserve. I'm so over the whole snack thing. We have 4 kids in sports, a varsity football player who doesn't get a snack because really, snack?!? So why do they younger kids need one? They do eat a good breakfast or lunch before they participate and I don't think they "need" to shove junk into their bodies at the 5 minute soccer half or the 10 minute football half. Give me a break, you can participate in a 1 or 2 hour sporting event without depriving your body of anything.
Robert says
I have to give you an enthusiastic "thumbs sideways" for this article. I am a father of two very active and very healthy girls that can show off their six pack abs(just not in public). I am also a recreational soccer coach that has researched extensively what to tell the parents of my players about nutrition. A snack after a soccer game is absolutely essential within an hour. For most kids soccer is the most intensive workout they engage in all year. They are on the verge of dehydration, and their glycogen stores are depleted, and those need to be refueled. I completely agree that the crap that many parents bring for an after-game snack is not what they should be eating, but a balanced snack of complex carbohydrates, proteins and fluids is necessary to replace what they have used. I'm sorry that I have to disagree with your interpretation of what Nancy Clark says, but I have seen plenty of players with bodies that did not regulate in the way she suggests, and it is because their bodies' natural regulators are thrown off by the simple sugars that they are given after a game(Candy and sports drinks!). Their insulin spikes, and later their blood sugar levels plummet suddenly, before anyone can react, and cause the evening and next day to become unbearable with the psychiatric consequences. Please take this high profile opportunity to spread an accurate message about proper post-game nutrition.
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
With all due respect, Robert, I actually had a phone interview with Nancy Clark - so there was no interpretation. She gave me the quote to use in this piece.
My personal opinion is that there are many factors, including the age of the child, level and length of play, climate/temperature, and more that go into determining what is required after play.
rachel says
It is a good point that it teaches food is a reward when you get junk food after a game. But I do believe in 'recovery foods' my husband is a runner and there are certain recovery foods he eats AFTER a run.
You should also add sweet potatoes to your list of snacks. My daughter loves them! We skin and cut them up into bite size pieces then bake them tossed in some olive oil (we live in germany right now so we get fresh local and from italy that we pick up on our trips down there)
Also, for school snacks/lunch I give my daughter a medley of fresh pineapple chunks, strawberries, blueberries, grapes and apple slices. I scoop a large serving spoonful of plain yogurt on top and drizzle w/ honey.
And we do that for breakfast or other snacks too, cup of yogurt and some cascade farm organic honey granola, then i drizzle w/ a couple of lines of honey on top.
or do the yogurt granola blueberry strawberry and honey drizzle.
the possibilities are many!!!
watermelon cut up. Kids cheer for watermelon! and you can do watermelon cups w/ yogurt over it. etc etc etc =)
Lynn says
At our rec league, there is a concession stand at the field where the kids play. Parents take turns providing the snacks, but most often they only pay the concession stand which allows all the kids to get a slushie (made from CHEERWINE!!!) and a bag of Doritos. It drives me NUTS. Some of the games are at 9am, so by 10am the kids are having soda and chips. I usually bring in bananas and water when it's my turn, but I hear a lot of grumbling from the kids (and parents) when I do.
Susan says
Our soccer season is set up so that there are only Saturday games, so my kids typically play 2 games with a half hour break between them. That said, our league believes it is the role of the parents to make food choices for their families. Each year we get a letter explaining that we should bring a 300-400 calorie mini-meal for our kids for the space between the games. We always bring a nice big snack/lunch. Usually hummus and red pepper pinwheels, an apple, a yogurt with some raisins and granola and a really big water. My kids really need that refuel. The 2 times we skimped (the first game days of the first 2 years--we are now in the swing of this soccer thing!) they were drained by the end of game 2.
Angie says
My kids participate with rec football and cheer every fall. It's our policy that our players only have water to drink and fresh fruit as a snack at halftime. I think it depends on the parents involved.
Kelli Moore says
Can I just say that this is not limited to sport snacking? I get really frustrated with SCHOOL snacking. Our school demands that our children eat TWO snacks during the day -- one before lunch and one after lunch. They are only at school for 6 hours and have a 30 minute recess, with gym time every 9 days. It's really ridiculous. We're tuition students, so my husband won't let me make a scuffle, but I find it silly that even with a HEALTHY snack that we're just telling our children to eat all the time. It's excessive. They don't eat like that at home over the summer. And I agree with the sport snacks. Thankfully, my oldest is in a traveling league that plays really hard and snacks very healthy. It seems the rec sports are the ones that are the worst for playing less and snacking the worst. We let our kids do it, but dock their lunch accordingly. We are the mean parents. :(
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
LOL - Kelli Moore I am a mean parent with you then, as well. I'm so over the preschool snacks/food for rewards for good first days of school, etc. My daughter is in kindergarten and yesterday they played bingo. You can guess the prizes - candy bracelets and other candies. Seriously??!
sherry says
My sons played first rec soccer, then went on to higher levels. As adolescents, several of their coaches and trainers were British or from the Caribbean. They were pretty emphatic, (some mothers called them "rabid") about no snacking, but lots and lots of hydration. Gatorade was available near the bench, always lots of water as well. They did like for parents to keep orange slices and bananas on hand, but that was mostly in case it was very hot. Coaches wanted the fruit handy for potassium replenishment to prevent muscle cramps.
These were pre-teen and teenage boys, but honestly, they were so hot and so spent after games, the suggestion of a snack of any kind usually caused gagging to begin! After they had twenty or thirty minutes to cool off, yes, they would have eaten the car seat if nothing else was available. That was sometimes difficult, as soccer tournaments at that level are often held in Nowhere, USA, but coaches preached salad bars and pasta with vegetables and chicken, so most of the players would eat bananas, oranges and cheese and hold out til we found a source of relatively decent nutrition.
My experiences were with boys, but I often had the chance to watch girls playing at that level and their moms would tell me that the girls coaches had pretty much the same ideas about player eating habits.
Sarah says
My boys play tackle football and they have a snack during half time and a snack after the game. However as parents we are instructed to bring them healthy snacks, nothing packed with sugar or anything like that. For them, I feel snacks are important they are working hard and it's hot out and they are in all the equipment. However I don't see what is wrong with serving healthy snacks, why serve chips after a game, that's not going to do them any good when it comes to replacing what their body needs.
Kay says
My son is 10 and plays football, he's on both offense and defense and usually plays the entire game. I'm team mom so organizing after game snacks is my job. I tried fruit, real yogurt and Gatorade3. The boys were still starving afterwards.do you all have any suggestions for kids a little older playing a bit longer? Our parents pitch in money and I provide the weekly snacks. They are actually hungry afterwards and ready to put some energy back in their bodies after games.
Assistant to 100 Days (Amy) says
Hi Kay. Yogurt paired with a nut-bar/granola bar/lara bar might do the trick. ~Amy
Max Stukenberg says
Hi, I see why you do not like your child eating junk food after a game of soccer. But do you really think it is necessary to ban junk food. I like the banana and fruit and vegetables idea for refilling after a game. Or In between games once you get to tournys. But at your sons age all they want to do is have fun with their friends and have a cookie. My family is highly Competitive in sports. (Lacrosse-football-horse back-soccer-basketball-hockey) and like to train and work your body and eat healthy food. But for Gods sake you only live life once I know eating junk food is bad. But what's the point of living life if you can't enjoy it. Work hard run 10 miles a week, lift weights, but for God sake if a child eats a bag of chips he won't die of diabetes. All I'm saying is if you support your kid let him have fun eat some junk food. Make working out fun by the time he is in high school he will relize what his body needs. Hard work and not a lot of junk food.
Lou says
I totally agree with your comment. One bag of white flour pretzals a week is not going to make a child unhealthy. Let the kids have a little fun.
Ashley says
This post was super helpful. I also really enjoyed the links to other blogs about this topic. My almost 3 year old is starting preschool this fall, and snack time is one of biggest concerns! I don't want to be the "mean mom" either, but I also want to continue my daughter on a path of whole, unprocessed foods. I feel that she is especially vulnerable at this age and would LOVE all of the super processed, sugary snacks that I imagine some other parents sending in on their snack day. I need to find a polite way of suggesting a healthy snack policy, but again, don't want to be "that mom."
Nate says
good ideas, but what about PICKLES!!!!!
Joan Dahlen says
When my kids were growing up at home, as a single mom on limited funds, I never bought soda or any kind of processed snack;instead, I loved to bake, so I baked all our snacks. Then I became a teacher and left my kids with sitters or aftercare and the snack horror began. At least today most moms are trying to feed their kids healthy meals and snacks and thanks to people like Lisa, there is a constant flow of information about it. Fight on moms. You are making a difference.
Kiran says
You are so right, Joan. We have to stand strong for what we believe. It DOES make a difference!
Tina says
I really enjoyed and appreciated this post, as this is something I have struggled with as well. At age 5-7 my son played rec soccer where the post game snack was as much of an activity to the kids as the game itself and I cringed to watch my son consume bags of junk food and sugar drinks after having such a good workout. It is almost the same as an adult grabbing a Big Mac right after a class at the gym. What exactly is this teaching them? Then we entered the world of competitive soccer. There is no organized team snack and I love it!! Parents are responsible for feeding their own kids as they deem appropriate which is the way it should be, as all kids are different. I can say that for my own son, who is 10 now, food right after the game is almost always a necessity. For almost 1 hour straight he is constantly running and working, and afterwards the tank is completely empty. We have witnessed emotional and physical meltdowns at times as a result and have learned to have healthy snacks (bananas, apples, sandwiches, water, etc) ready to go to help him refuel.
My family is trying to transition to a diet of whole foods and social situations such as these seem to be the most difficult when it comes to kids. There is so much exposure to junk food and it seems to be a constant battle to keep children from getting hooked on processed foods. My only advice is to be the parent who challenges the norm and makes the extra effort to bring food the is both healthy and tasty. You might not be the favorite in the eyes of the kids, but who knows, you might inspire another parent to follow your lead!
Ro says
I accidentally stumbled across your blog while googling soccer meals, and I just want to share some thoughts on this subject. I have been playing soccer for the past 20 years, I started when I was a little girl probably around your daughter's age. I have found that eating the rights foods can make a huge difference in energy levels and performance in games. I know your daughter is still young, but if she decides to stick with soccer and move into more intense, competitive play, diet will become a very important factor. I know it seems counterintuitive to eat "unhealthy" sugary foods, but carbohydrates are very important for fueling. Whole grain foods, while they are a superb choice for normal meals, is not ideal for soccer. It takes a long time for the body to break down whole wheat. Simpler sugars like white bread and rice cereal are better choices. I used to eat fig newtons immediately after games to replenish my carbs. Sports drink are also good to drink after games because they replenish salt and sugar that was lost during play. It is unnecessary to drink sugary drinks like gatorade outside of sports, but drinking it right after playing a soccer game is beneficial to restoring lost glucose and electrolyte levels. In the aftermath of a game, eating sugar and salt won't get stored away and act as "unhealthy" compounds like they usually would, they'll be immediately used up by the body to replace missing stores. Also, eating white flour pasta is a good meal to eat the night before a game because the carbs get broken down and stored as glycogen that will soon be burned as fuel during exercise the next day. White flour pasta is also good for replenishing glycogen levels after a game. I know you are concerned about providing healthy, nutritious meals for your kid, but just make sure you understand that white flour and simple carbs are extremely important for short-term prep and recovery in sports.
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
Great points, Ro. And I completely agree that you are at a different league (pardon the pun). Should she get more serious down the road, her dietary needs may change. This post was more regarding the young (7-year-olds) who play 45 minutes of rec soccer - and that 45 minutes is not all "play" time. But I am glad that you shared your experiences as a seasoned player!:)
Susan says
I am so glad you posted this :) Our boys race BMX and what you just pointed out is exactly what we do for them. I've just about had enough of people thinking you need to "eat grass and dirt out of a biodegradable bag". Our kids know when they need to eat,and when they need to drink. Again, glad you posted this. :)
Vaughn says
Thanks for your reply, Ro. You're correct to point out that athletes' nutrition requirements may be different from those of normal eating routines. However, I would challenge the idea that any person--regardless of their activity or lifestyle--benefits from highly processed foods. Gatorade and other sports drinks used to be used strictly by athletes for during and post-activity. I don't remember ever even seeing them in the store as a kid. Nowadays they have become a "pleasure beverage" along with so-called energy drinks. Most sports played by young kids do not involve the level of exertion that would require electrolyte replacement afterwards, so a bottle of water would suffice. Otherwise, you can make your own electrolyte replacement drink with salt, citrus juices and water (recipes online). As for the highly processed snack foods our kids are given after sports activities, these are simply part of our culture's belief that there is something called "kids' food" which the restaurant industry and food manufacturers deceitfully taught us. They are nutritionally useless and of no benefit to the human body at all.
I'm not implying one should NEVER eat processed foods but I have a hard time supporting the idea that any processed foods are necessary or helpful additions to our diets.
Mandy K says
Thank you for this! Our local YMCA has a "healthy snack agreement" that parents sign for $5 off the registration fee. It basically limits the snacks to water (NO sports drinks), and fruit or real yogurt. My son's football team doesn't have this, and the first snack was 2 cookies, a fruit roll up, a sports drink, a banana, and a granola bar (the treat kind). He was sick the rest of the day. That wasn't a snack, it was a crappy lunch.
LaRay says
You just validated my thoughts exactly. I think the whole snack/juice thing after baseball/sports is the most ridiculous practice in organized sports. Our kids are taught at school to "not share" food and about healthy choices, etc. Then, the go to sports to get sugar, gluten, processed junk food and HFCS. It makes me crazy. I'll worry about my kid, you worry about yours. The whole point of getting my kid on the field is for exercise and teach team building .... not to consume garbage after the practice.
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nichole says
I'm a new soccer mom and I bring options. You can pick your child's choice. I wont push anything on anyone. Its not a party at my house or my child's birthday. Also its once a week after a game.
K.B. says
I'm so glad you get it! I did not think it was offensive at all I was reflecting on myself as much as the article. Sometimes I lose track of the big picture and can start to think things like "why on earth would people eat THAT" it is a fine line to walk when one is passionate about something where we can end up pushing more people away than bringing more people in and I think the idea about bringing carrots is a perfect example! So many more people will be receptive of the message if the notes to these coaches/programs also address how easy and less expensive healthy can be! And honestly I believe the main reason the 100 Day's of Real Food blog has garnered so much respect in the first place is because of it's niche of affordability and 'real food' being one and the same.Thanks for your reply! :)
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
Thank you for your comments and reply also! I always appreciate hearing others' opinions as well - it is good to step back and sometimes difficult (speaking for myself) to realize that not everyone thinks exactly the same:). But yes - we are on the same page!! :)
K.B. says
I am a big proponent of a healthy, ‘real food’ lifestyle and love utilizing 100 Days of Real Food and similar blogs for recipe and lifestyle ideas. However, I had this distinct moment of pause while reading Kiran’s article and subsequent comments. It so easy to read the article and think “Yes! You go girl!†because we are so engrained in this lifestyle and awareness of healthy eating and we want to spread that passion around enriching everyone’s lives with the positive benefits we have reaped from eating healthily. However, it is essential to take a step back from time to time and contextually realize our perspective versus the perspective of others. We are living a life in which we worry about the toxins in our children’s lunches and bath products and cleaning supplies. We cannot forget how privileged we are to worry about these things. It is important that we foster conversation with other parents but we cannot forget for a moment that some of these parents are worried about providing the most basic of necessities to their children; shelter, clothing, and food (any food. period.) For some children, the snack they get at soccer practice may be one of the meals that child is relying on for that particular day. And yes, this is even more of a reason why that snack should be healthy! I am not saying there is anything wrong with the article or comments. I just think if we really want to foster change for ALL we have to remember this in the manner and tone in which we address parents and other children. Sometimes it is important to have a reality check and realize that parents may not rally around the one parent who brings organic snack packs and coconut water to the game/and or school. We need to ensure that the position we stand on is one that is attainable to every single person in this country and all efforts in that journey should focus on finding a way to make a real and practical difference in the lives of each and every child and parent.
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
I completely respect your note, K.B. You are right - it's much easier to just jump on board and give it a he** yeah; you are also right - not all of us are in the same situation. I am sorry if you didn't agree with my tone; I didn't mean it to be offensive but just stating my opinion. At the end of the day, I am not asking that all snacks be organic. I was simply trying to say that in MY opinion, they don't really need a snack. But if parents wanted to provide something, some of the choices given could be healthier options. And while being respectful of everyone's budget, I do think that buying a large bag of baby carrots and putting them in snack bags or purchasing enough mini oranges for the team members would be similar in cost to buying individual bags of Cheet-os, Doritos, etc. Again - my opinion here. I don't expect everyone to agree with all of it! :)
Barb says
I also appreciate your post. Our son has participated in soccer for several years. It is the only time he drinks Gatorade and sugar filled "juices." Although I was never brave enough to try to make changes, your post has given me some ideas. Since my husband is the coach and I end up coordinating the snack sign-up, I think I will send out some of this information in my initial email. Thanks for helping me address this issue:)
Ali says
I really appreciate this post. This has bothered me for the 7 years that my kids have played soccer. They have received anything from donuts after morning games to bags of candy and big league chew. Gum! Really? What is that about. And always some sort of corn syrup/dye filled sport drink. I have tried to take a stand against it in the past only to be met with the sulking faces of my disappointed children when I tell them they can't have that junk. Even my husband gave me grief for not letting them have the snack so I inevitably gave in. This past season, I took a stand and told the coaches when they passed around the snack schedule, that my children would not be participating. My kids were very good about it and understood. The parents however kept pushing the snacks on them even when they said no thank you. It is an ongoing problem that we all need to address in our areas.
vivi says
This is so true. I often feel tired and grumpy after i eat a sugar/carbohydrate filled snack, and i think that distributing these snacks after games is just wrong. I never drink gatorade/powerade, and it is proved to cause health problems in some kids! I think that water, some fruits and veggies, and some whole grains are great snacks, especially after sports games.
Nefetari says
Great post! My husband coached my kids soccer teams for a few seasons and as the coach he banned snacks. Each parent was responsible to bring oranges for one game for the team during the season. Each kid was told to bring a water bottle. He kept extra water just in case. No one grumbled or complained and my son's new coach carried on this policy. Love it because it is stress free! I brought healthy snacks for my son's basketball game and most kids rejected them (smart pop, mandarin oranges, and water) but my kids were so happy because they could have the bags of smart pop for lunches that week. I was a little taken aback but there was no way I was buying junk. Oh well can't win them all.
Maria says
Boy, I wish I had read this before I spoke up last year at my sons baseball team. I replyed to the snack rotation email in a very nice way to say that the children do not need snacks and it turned me into the bad guy/mom. My thought was always, Would you eat a bag of chips after working out? Of course not, why would we train our children to do so. We had a grandparent bringing "Colossal Doughnuts" from a local supermarket to the kids after baseball games on Saturday mornings. Not just the team but all of our children were digging in.
I love the advice for whole food snacks. If and when it comes up again, I will surely take charge in a more educating manner with this article. I notice however, as my kids passed age 9 and were in more competitive sports, the snack idea was not even brought up! I think parents were just tired of running around to get the processed garbage and sugar drinks to bring for snack!
Yashmi says
I am a new soccer mom and am so glad that you have written this post. I passed this to the guy in charge of sports at the local YMCA and they are in total agreement! In fact they will be printing your blog out and sending it to all of the families!
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
That is awesome, Yashmi! I'm so glad that you are taking charge of this! :)
Yashmi says
So, I don't think that the message got passed on, so now i'm passing it on! lol! There's a part of me that feels like I'm potentially ruining a part of their fun (or maybe the parent's may feel this way), but the kids are 4 years old, they don't know any better :) Wish me luck!
Kiran Dodeja Smith says
I know how you feel ... but think about the fact that you are starting them off on the right foot, with the right education, and good nutrition. And what's wrong with that?! :) Good luck!
NuMommy says
I became snack mom for this very reason. Red 40 and TBHQ snacks, no thanks. I get $1/week for each child and I bring the snacks. They free of chemicals and toxins and do coconut water juice boxes. It is my way of helping people learn and experience healthy snack choices. This is the second season I've done this with my 5yo sons's team and everyone is appreciative.
Cindy says
This is so timely! Thank you for reaffirming my beliefs at the soccer field and beyond. We've had cake balls, cupcakes, candy after games and I'm thinking "What?!?" Luckily, my kids know to ask before they eat this stuff, but it just begs the question "What are we doing to our children?" We're not doing them any favors by providing these "treats". We should only offer sweets once in a while, because they aren't "treats" if they're offered all the time!