Spring Sports in the Air ...

What a long, long season it's been ... 

way too long in my book but I hear the birds getting busy and see the sunlight  changing ... it's coming people!  Two weeks from today we have the official first day of spring!

If you're a mom of an athlete who plays a year round sport that is getting ready to get back to the fields, you may have an insane looking calendar looking you in the face right now.  For me, this week is kinda the calm before the storm.  Although it has been normally busy for the kids, it's going to get really challenging for them starting this weekend.

I'll be honest - I've been a bit on the lazy side this winter in regards to pushing the veggies at them every day.  I am ready now to get them fully loaded with more plants than they're used to as I see a difference in myself when I get lazy and don't get my plants in me!

Why am I posting about veggies and fruits?  The suggested amount for kids is 7-9 servings of veggies and fruits.  If they're endurance athletes the suggested amount is 13 servings or more!   That's a lot for most of our kids!  But here's the deal ... it is worth it for them to get these valuable phytonutrients in their bodies!  *see note at bottom

Kids who play sports demand a lot of their growing bodies.  The athletes who are playing back to back games are demanding even more of their bodies.  When the muscle cells are weakened because of excess physical demands, stress or emotional depletion, they are unable to absorb the oxygen needed to refuel and will not be able to perform the way they know they are capable of.  This oxidative damage is something that has been written about by the sports and science community for some time, but it is something that can be addressed with diet and nutrition.

 

So what's a parent to do with kids who are under lots of pressure to do well and feel like they are tired much of the time?

Fuel them up with some simple food that is not that hard to get ... at least those snacks between games that you might want to add to the bag of tricks they bring with them.

• sliced oranges, clementines
• apples 
• bananas
• cut up melon
• carrot sticks, celery or any other veggie they can pick at
• frozen grapes
• trail mix that is limited in chocolate
• raw almonds, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds
• strawberries
• yogurt with fruit
• string cheese and crackers
• plain pasta with a bit of olive oil and sprinkling of cheese 

You'll notice everything on this list is easily digestible.  There is nothing fried.  Just simple, easy food that will give their bodies energy with the added phytonutrients to help refuel for the next game. 

*note:  if your children are not getting the 7-9 plus servings of fruits and vegetables everyday, let me know.  I would love to let you in on the miracle whole food supplement we have used in our house for some time and love!  Capsules or chewables offer 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains every single day. 

krista_daley@yahoo.com

Here to a strong and beautiful spring!
Much gratitude,
Krista

We are so ready to say hello to spring!