10 Incredibly Healthy Soccer Snacks!

Although there are a zillion packaged snacks to be found on grocery shelves, most of them are high in sugar, high in fat, and lacking the most important element… real, nutritional value. I know soccer snacks need to be easy, quick and handy, but convenience doesn’t mean you can’t sneak some better-for-you options into your soccer season. Fortunately, healthy options other than orange slices and bananas do exist. All it takes is a little bit of planning and getting everyone on board with a good-for-you game plan.

Think of a soccer snack as a mini-meal that helps provide nutrients and the energy children need to learn, focus and play well. These snacks are “list toppers” as they have more nutrients than traditional snacks, and many have more “staying” power to keep kids full longer during a practice or a game – not to mention plenty of kid-appeal.

When it’s my turn to bring the soccer snacks, I “bring it” with feel-good foods, packed with real nutrition. I try to focus on energy-crazed complex carbs, powerful proteins, yummy natural flavors & tons of good taste that everyone loves.

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10 Healthy Soccer Snacks for your Soccer Team Snack List

1. For a quick pick-me-up, I offer hearty mini-sandwiches out of graham or whole grain crackers topped with a squeeze of peanut butter.

2. I have found that an all time favorite is the fruit kabob. I simply put pineapple chunks, grapes and cheese on skewers (or any seasonal fruit would work). They have the taste kids love and nutrition you can feel good about.

3. For a real energy boost, I will cut half a bagel into 4’s and fill with peanut butter or strawberry cream cheese. If I can get a sweet deal on strawberries, I will add a single slice to each sandwich.

4. A real satisfying snack of an easy home-made trail mix goes a long way. You can create your own sweet and savory mix and pack it with healthy, all-natural ingredients:

• Dark chocolate covered raisins or almonds
• Honey roasted cashews, peanuts or almonds
• Some high-fiber cereal (we like Kashi Cinnamon Heart to Heart or Honey Sunshine cereals)
• Pumpkin seeds
• Home-made popcorn

5. Jump start a great second half with no-sugar added applesauce and whole grain fig Newtons (my kids like the strawberry Newtons the best).

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6. For a big nutrition boost, frozen yogurt tubes are great grab-and-go snack. They are easy to keep cold in a cooler and they travel very well.

7. A fruit salad of crunchy bite-sized mandarin oranges, peaches, apples or pears is fresher, more flavorful and always very popular. Toss it with just the right amount of wildflower honey and see how they like it.

8. For a creative snack that’s always a hit, fill the bottom of a small Dixie cup with ranch dressing and stand baby carrots up in the cup.

9. Low-fat cheese sticks or individually wrapped cheese squares are fun to eat and provide plenty of protein that will keep your little ones feeling satisfied much longer.

10. If I plan ahead, I will make a bunch of hearty banana muffins. If I have to use a box recipe, I definitely add extra banana and use applesauce instead of oil. Kids love my muffins when they are crispy on the outside and tender and moist inside— yum!
 

Posted by Helena LaGarde