Making smarter snack sense

Has there ever been a time when Cheez-Its, Rice Krispie treats and Gushers have been considered good for you? Would any parent or coach out there consider these choices proper fuel for their hockey players? If the answers to both of these questions are no, then how does the team tent at a sports tournament end up looking like the photo at right?

It doesn’t make sense that parents would drive hours or pay for flights for their sons or daughters to improve their skills while playing in tournaments, the same tournaments that often are considered stepping stones to the next level, yet also buy junk food for their players’ snacks.

And it doesn’t make sense that players would play their hearts out on the field in an effort to showcase their skills in front of coaches who may impact select team rosters, invitational tournaments and even future college decisions, yet eat Gushers and Cheez-Its between games.

Buying nonperishable snacks in bulk certainly is an easy, inexpensive way to feed a crowd of hungry players game after game, weekend after weekend. But better options exist, many of which do not require extra cost or effort and will provide the energy players need. Nutrition directly impacts health and performance.

Please consider the following list of snacks the next time you are asked to contribute to a team food table:

1. Single-serving packages of nuts, sunflower seeds or trail mix

2. Bags of whole apples/slices with cinnamon, clementines or oranges, or orange slices

3. Bunches of bananas, or red or green grapes

4. Baggies of beef or turkey jerky

5. Boxes of raisins — golden or black

6. Slices of watermelon

7. Fruit skewers or fruit cups

8. Bars: the fewer ingredients, the better

9. Yogurt cups, or parfaits with oats or granola

10. Applesauce pouches, or protein/fruit pouches such as fuelforfire.com

11. Turkey roll-ups or chicken wraps. Now, this makes sense.

#FueltheChampionWithin