Active Kids Need Fuel for Sports
Posted By:
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Active kids need fuel for sports, school and everyday health, as well as normal growth and development. When young people are involved in competitive athletics, their need for power foods and fluids is higher than usual. At St. Elizabeth Healthcare, we want you to know answers and advice are available!
If you have specific concerns about your child, consult a registered dietitian nutritionist who specializes in sports nutrition. If your child is on a team, talk to the coach and arrange for a registered dietitian nutritionist to make a presentation to all the players and their parents.
Here are tips to help young athletes get the fuel and fluids they need to succeed.
Power Foods
Athletes need power foods with lots of nutrients and minimal amounts of fat and added sugar. High-energy carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and dairy foods are especially important. Children need extra energy for their sport's practices and games, plus normal levels for growth and brainpower at school. Here's how to provide the carbs they crave.
- Serve a champion's breakfast. Offer whole-grain cereals or serve muffins made with whole grains and fruit, including bananas, blueberries and raisins. Create an instant yogurt parfait with layers of low-fat vanilla yogurt; fresh, frozen or canned fruit; and crunchy whole-grain cereal.
- Pack breakfast to go. When morning practices or road trips make sit-down breakfasts difficult, pack a bag with bagels, bananas, apples, string cheese, yogurt cups, juice boxes and low-fat milk for eating on the run.
- Pack a super-snack bag. Traveling athletes need smart fuel. Fill an insulated bag with high-energy snacks. Use frozen juice boxes, water bottles or reusable gel packs to keep items cold. Help your athlete be prepared for pre- and post-game snack attacks with crackers and cheese, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, trail mix, containers of cut fruit and sliced vegetables with dip.
Power Fluids
Like athletes of any age, children need plenty of refreshing fluids to stay well-hydrated. Fluids are critical to prevent overheating and to remove the wastes produced by active muscles. Being even slightly dehydrated can dramatically affect performance.
- Teach children to monitor fluid intake with a quick urine check. Regular trips to the bathroom with basically clear, nearly odorless urine indicate good hydration. Not having to urinate or producing dark-yellow, strong-smelling urine means it's time to drink more.
- Make sure supply keeps up with demand. Children need to drink at least six 8-ounce cups of water per day. Add another 8 ounces for every half hour of strenuous activity. Give kids a personalized water bottle to carry in the car, on the bus, at school and on the field.
- Choose beverages wisely. Water is always a great, low-cost choice. For activities lasting less than an hour, water will usually provide optimal hydration. For longer activities or when children don't drink enough water, diluted 100-percent fruit juice or sports drinks may increase their fluid intake. New research shows low-fat milk, including chocolate milk, may be one of the most effective beverages for muscle recovery after intense activity.
For more information on good nutrition for young athletes, call us at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Nutrition Services at 859-301-4625.
|
|
|
Blog Categories
Knee
10/06/2017 - Innovative Custom Knee Replace
07/11/2016 - Surgeon's Constant Learning Ke
06/21/2016 - Surgeon's Constant Learning Ke
11/23/2015 - A Promising Future for Joint R
10/29/2015 - Precision Matters in Joint Rep
10/28/2015 - The Mako Technology Procedure
06/22/2015 - Tips for Exercise and Keeping
06/22/2015 - Pain-Free Success for Chronic
06/22/2015 - Knee Ostroarthritis - What Act
06/22/2015 - Subchondroplasty - A New Solut
06/22/2015 - Good Exercises and Activities
06/22/2015 - What is Osteoarthritis?
06/22/2015 - Bone Marrow Lesions - A New So
11/18/2014 - Technology Advances in Kneecap
10/29/2014 - Custom Kneecap Replacement is
10/27/2014 - "Anatomic Reconstruction" of a
11/19/2012 - St. Elizabeth Primewise
Sports Medicine
07/22/2016 - What About Sport-Specific Trai
07/22/2016 - Should I Send My Child to a Sp
07/11/2016 - The Leading Edge of Sports Med
07/11/2016 - Sports Specialization in Youth
07/11/2016 - Modern Surgical Practices & Sp
06/22/2016 - Athletes and ACL Injuries
06/22/2016 - Why Less is Best for Young Ath
06/21/2016 - At the Leading Edge of Sports
04/09/2015 - Sports Nutrition - Recovery
04/09/2015 - Tips for Soccer Nutrition
04/09/2015 - Active Kids Need Fuel for Spor
02/09/2015 - New Orthopaedic Institute Impr
02/09/2015 - Concussions and Youth Sports I
10/29/2014 - PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Eme
10/28/2014 - ACL Injuries and Return to Pla
10/28/2014 - What is Sound Assisted Soft Ti
10/27/2014 - PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) The
09/16/2014 - Athlete's Corner: Hand & Wrist
08/27/2014 - Athlete's Corner: Fractures an
08/04/2014 - Getting Them Back in the Game:
06/02/2014 - Typical Athletic Injuries - an
04/18/2014 - Advice for Agent Athletes
04/15/2014 - Meet Forest T. Heis, M.D. - Ou
04/15/2014 - Injury Prevention, Concussions
01/02/2014 - New Year's Resolutions? Safe E
10/02/2013 - Dr. Matthew T. DesJardins Answ
10/02/2013 - Can an Injection Relieve Back
11/19/2012 - BACK TO SCHOOL MEANS BACK-TO-S
Hips
10/08/2014 - What Types of Materials Are Us
10/08/2014 - What is the Typical Recovery T
09/16/2014 - How Are Hip Fractures Repaired
09/16/2014 - How Quickly After a Hip Fractu
09/05/2014 - Do All Hip Fractures Require S
08/29/2014 - What are the Typical Causes of
08/27/2014 - What Actually Breaks in a Hip
05/15/2014 - What is "Hip Arthroscopy" and
11/19/2012 - It's Not All Hips and Knees
Therapy
10/06/2017 - The Importance of Physical The
04/11/2017 - A Patient's Perspective - A Yo
04/11/2017 - A Patient's Perspective - A Yo
01/22/2016 - Staying On Your Feet On Ice an
01/21/2016 - Preventing Falls in Winter Wea
12/09/2015 - Rehabilitation After Joint Rep
09/21/2015 - The Importance of Physical The
10/07/2013 - Low Back Pain - What Are Our G
07/23/2013 - Dr. Matthew DesJardins Explain
Joint Replacement
Elbow
02/03/2014 - Plan B and C For Tennis Elbow
02/03/2014 - Good News About Tennis Elbow
02/03/2014 - The Truth About Tennis Elbow
08/26/2013 - Plantar Fasciitis? Tennis Elbo
Back
10/06/2017 - Providing Relief for Neck and
04/15/2015 - Comprehensive Spinal Treatment
04/15/2015 - Technology and Spine Care
04/15/2015 - The Risks and Benefits of ESI
04/13/2015 - Low Back Pain and Physical The
04/13/2015 - The Basics of Epidural Steroid
04/13/2015 - I Am a Very Conservative Spine
04/13/2015 - Conservative Spine and Back Ca
04/15/2014 - Low Back Pain - What Are Some
10/23/2013 - Low Back Pain - What Are Some
10/23/2013 - What to Expect From Your Docto
10/23/2013 - Sudden Back Pain - What Can I
10/07/2013 - Low Back Pain - Physical Thera
09/30/2013 - 5 Tips for Keeping Your Back H
09/30/2013 - Managing Low Back Pain
Hand & Wrist
04/11/2017 - Musicians: We Hear You, Part 2
04/11/2017 - Musicians: We Hear You!
10/07/2013 - Safe Halloween Carving Tips to
Shoulder
03/01/2017 - Dr. Greiwe Develops New Should
02/15/2016 - New Book by Dr. R. Michael Gre
02/04/2014 - Shoulder Pain? It Could Be Imp
02/04/2014 - Tips to Avoid / Manage Pain fr
01/27/2014 - Common-Sense Care for Shoulder
Press Release
General
12/10/2018 - New Surgical Table
03/16/2018 - Types of Exercises
03/16/2018 - Arthritis Fight is Personal at
04/11/2017 - A Job Well Done, Dr. O'Brien -
12/30/2015 - New Office Opens in Cincinnati
12/09/2015 - Service and Innovation - Jonat
12/08/2015 - Coming Home to Cincinnati to P
11/23/2015 - Welcome Hip & Knee Replacement
06/22/2015 - Meet Dr. Adam Metzler
04/15/2015 - Meet Dr. Richard M. Hoblitzell
02/11/2015 - What is the Orthopaedic Instit
01/06/2015 - Sledding Safety - Quick Tips
10/29/2014 - Matthew T. Hummel, M.D. - Why
10/24/2014 - Doctor's Spotlight - Matthew T
08/27/2014 - Doctor's Spotlight - John D. B
08/26/2014 - Doctor's Spotlight - John D. B
05/15/2014 - Doctor's Spotlight - Bruce R.
05/15/2014 - Doctor's Spotlight - Bruce R.
05/15/2014 - Doctor's Spotlight - Bruce R.
05/15/2014 - Doctor's Spotlight - Bruce R.
05/15/2014 - Doctor's Spotlight - Bruce R.
04/18/2014 - Train Smart
04/18/2014 - Get Moving
Ankle
07/11/2016 - Physical Therapy for a Rolled
06/24/2016 - Rehab for a Sprained Ankle
04/18/2014 - Who Is a Candidate for Interna
04/18/2014 - What Are the Advantages of Int
04/18/2014 - Repairing Ankle Ligaments: Adv
Foot
10/06/2017 - Breakthrough in the Treatment
04/11/2017 - Specialized Care for Dancers -
04/11/2017 - Specialized Care for Dancers
07/30/2014 - Common Symptoms of Plantar Fas
06/02/2014 - What is the plantar fascia, an
06/02/2014 - Learn About Plantar Fasciitis
Fracture
10/08/2014 - Recovery From Surgery to Repai
09/16/2014 - When Surgery Is Needed to Repa
09/05/2014 - Fracture Recovery: Good Habits
Recipes
01/25/2018 - Classic Baked Spaghetti
01/25/2018 - Chicken Waldorf Salad
01/24/2018 - Chicken and Root Vegetable Pot
01/24/2018 - Fiesta Dip
01/24/2018 - Foil-Pack Chicken Dinner
01/24/2018 - Honey Chicken Recipe
01/24/2018 - Grilled Chicken and Avocado
01/24/2018 - Summer Quinoa Salad
01/17/2018 - Grunk's Beef Fajitas
|
Tag Cloud
|
|