Feeding and Supporting Your Athletic Kids

Ensuring your children get the right nutrition is critical for their growth, especially if they’re into sports. Even at age 2, your kids can start sports activities. Good eating habits are essential for unlocking the athletic potential your enthusiastic kids possess. It’s a make it or break it moment for us parents to guide them in their sports journey. If your children enjoy being active, here’s a simple guide for feeding and supporting them effectively.

The Role of Balanced Nutrition

A balanced diet is vital for young, active children to support their energy demands and promote healthy bone and muscle development. According to a study by the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), balanced nutrition contributes a lot to both physical and mental development of children which is a requirement in sports and active recreational activities.

Your kids might be running, jumping, and exerting a great amount of their energy at school or at  the playground. Guidance in nutrition and healthy eating habits are needed to sustain the demands that come with engaging in these activities. Those gold medals, trophies, or small game prizes will not be possible without your love and support as parents!

Key Components to Young Athletes’ Nutrition

1. Carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the primary energy source that is used for physical activities. Ideally, they make up about 50-60% of a young athletes’ diet. Complex carbohydrates like whole grains, lentils, brown rice, and oats provide sustained energy release. These are used to gather strength and be able to train in various sports.

Encourage your child to eat complex carbohydrates within meals before their practice or competition. Cooking their favorite pasta or rice meals can get them ample energy to get through their physical activities. You may also create various creative recipes using oats and fruits.

2. Protein

Protein is essential for muscle growth and repair. Growing athletic kids need more protein compared to their less-active friends because protein is much needed for muscle building and tissue repair in sports and training.

To make sure your kids are getting enough protein, include chicken, beef, fish, legumes, and eggs in their meals. Aim for protein to make up about 10-15% of their daily caloric intake.

If your kids are picky eaters or you simply can’t provide enough protein-rich foods, consider protein shakes! There are vanilla and chocolate protein shakes perfect for kids, such as Truheight Kids’ Protein Shake Powder. This shake has 12g of protein and many essential vitamins and minerals per scoop. Many parents are trusting this shake for their athletic kids because it supports bone strength, muscle development and immunity.

3. Fats

Fats are crucial for long-term energy, hormones, and cell development. Healthy fats should comprise about 25-30% of your little athlete’s diet. Healthy fats are sourced from avocados, seeds, nuts, and olive oil. 

Trans fats present a different story. Look at the labels of your food and lessen their intake of saturated fats from fried and processed foods. Choose healthier alternatives like peanuts or dark chocolate to satisfy their cravings. 

4. Water

Regular and adequate hydration is essential for an athlete’s performance. This prevents heat-related illnesses and makes sure that their salt intake cannot be at a hazardous level. Dehydration impairs an athlete’s overall performance and can seriously lead to risks. 

5. No sugary foods and drinks

Desserts and sugary snacks and drinks cause energy spikes followed by crashes that can impact your child’s athletic performance, concentration, and overall health. These can hugely contribute to weight gain and dental problems as well. Limit their consumption of candies, sodas, cakes, processed juices, and other high-sugar products. Offer fruits and natural juices instead.

Pre- and Post- Game: What to Serve

Before and after their games, parents should also be active in preparing nutritious meals and snacks together with their words of encouragement. These are vital for their optimal performance for the game itself and for their recovery after the game.

A balanced meal served approximately three hours before a game should include carbohydrates, protein, and some fat. For instance, a whole grain turkey sandwich with one whole apple can be a great lunch before a football practice in the afternoon.

Around 30 minutes after a game, give them a snack with both carbohydrates and protein to replenish glycogen stores and repair their muscles. Perhaps a banana with peanut butter and a refreshing yogurt drink would be great! Make sure that they drink a lot of water, too.

The Role of Vitamins and Minerals

Vitamins and minerals are great for energy production, bone and muscle health, and immune system. To support their sports journey, give your child a variety of nutrients from different food sources and if necessary, provide credible, tasty, and all-natural kids supplements like TruHeight to fill the gaps in their needs for vitamins and minerals that are currently lacking. Of course, it is best if you consult your pediatrician before starting any supplement.

The key nutrients for your growing kids are Calcium, Iron, Vitamin D, Vitamin C, and Potassium. These nutrients are vital for bone health, cognitive development, oxygen transport in the blood, and immune function.

Top Tips for Parents

1. Prepare balanced meals and snacks for your children in advance before they sprint into their sports activities. A good set of lunch boxes, a durable lunch bag, and a study water container can help them get through their tough day at practice.
2. There’s no risk in having a little fun with food! Ask your child what they like for meals and creatively meet with them in the middle to balance their wants and their nutritional needs. 
3. Lead by example. Demonstrate healthy eating habits and regular exercise to be great role models for your children. They are more likely to follow these habits if they see their parents doing the same things daily. Be consistent with these healthy practices, too, as this can also promote discipline to them.
4. Don’t pressure them. Apart from your financial and nutritional support to tell them you are fully on-board with their athletic ventures alongside academics, it’s also important to give them the moral support they need. Motivate and encourage them to excel but your words shouldn’t give them the impression that they should be perfect or they should always win. Tell them to have fun and enjoy their sports!
5. Last but not least, make sure they get good sleep! Full 8 hours of sleep for your kids are optimal for their muscle and cell repair and all the preparations their bodies silently do before starting a brand new day. Some kids find it hard to sleep easily or get enough sleep in general. Supplements that are totally safe for kids are made available by TruHeight, helping kids have a calm and peaceful sleep–all made with naturally sourced ingredients. 

Conclusion

Raising young athletes requires our attention as parents and careful planning to make sure they get the right nutrients to support their young and active lifestyles. Carbohydrates, protein, healthy fats, hydration, and avoiding sugary drinks and foods make up a healthy and strong little athlete! 

Consistent and balanced nutrition will help them unlock their full athletic potential and at the same time, it also promotes long-term healthy practices that will boost their overall development. Your role in this is bigger than what you think it is!