This year while waiting for the soccer season to start, we got an email from our coach in regards to snacks, game times, and general prep for the practices and games. There was general emphasis put on how excited kids get about the snacks. I thought a second about the snacks we were served in team sports as young kids and it was always something like fruit roll ups and a mini can of Shasta. Gross.
As a health coach and the one in charge of keeping my girls immune systems in tip-top shape, I stepped slightly out on a limb and sent an email back to the coach whom I'd never met. Taking the chance at becoming "that mom" on the team, I thanked him for taking this volunteer role, appreciating his time, effort, and energy before giving him my spiel that he may or may not have already been given from another mom. I shared with him the food sensitivies our family has, and that Sunny is limited on the amount of gluten she consumes in a week, and that if she does consume it, I'd rather it be from a high quality, nutrient dense food. Citing that we are likely not the only family on the team with some kind of sensitivity, I offered to create a snack list of options families can choose from when it's their night to bring snack. Then, I pushed SEND. Gulp.
What I got in a reply was so exciting...yes, I had talked about the current childhood obesity epidemic and the top three food allergens school age childred deal with, and the new co-op in town that gives us such great resources, but he was over the top on board. Hallejuiah. Not only was he on board, he gave me his full endorsement as I wrote a small educational piece on why these choices were important to make and model for our children.
As a team, we haven't had one single negative response from any of the parents, and have seen a couple great, healthy snacks come through. Tomorrow I will share with you the recipe and snack we are bringing this week for our turn...and it's super easy.
How can you bring to attention the issue of quality and nutrient dense snacks for your child's sporting events this school year?
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