There is a lot of discussion about the quality of food
children are served at school and at home but as the mother of two young,
athletic boys I feel there’s an overlooked area of children’s eating and that’s
sports-related snacks. It doesn’t matter if a game finishes at 9:30 or lunchtime
you can bet donuts are lurking. Rather than call out the donut folks,
I’ll focus on healthy, tasty, fun alternatives.
I was thrilled when Peeled, aware of my game-day frustration,
provided their new Apple Clusters for one of my son’s soccer games. Yet, as we
walked to the field with our Peeled bag filled with all three cluster flavors, I
started to get nervous. My son was excited to share these treats with his
teammates but I knew it was a risk. A food departure is a toss up. While I am
fine with the title, I didn’t want my soccer player to be the healthy food
pariah. I watched the game distracted by my "cluster" concerns.
With a few minutes left, I set the pretty Peeled boxes on
the bottom row of the bleachers. Cinnamon was flanked by Berry and Apple. Soon the game was finished and the team stormed the bench. “What’s for snack?” I announced
the flavor options; they made their selections and ripped open the packages. I
have serious regrets that tape wasn’t rolling. It was like a 2012 Wheaties
commercial. The kids loved them, the parents asked where they could buy them
and said things like “it’s about time someone brings a healthy snack”. Kids grabbed extras yo take home. As a nutritionist, it doesn’t get any better
than that.
The bite-size round clusters are organic, gluten free, dairy free, naturally
vegan and non-GMO. The size we handed out is single serving and 75 calories each package has three grams of fiber. They are reminiscent of granola but grain free. We first fell in love
with the apple flavor but were won over by berry (I hope Peeled isn’t offended
by the comparison but healthy Crunchberry?).
I'm a fan of orange wedges, organic grapes and watermelon as "fun" fruit snacks and love the original Peeled dried fruit snack packs. There are a few other companies I feel do a great job:- Go Go squeeze applesauces
- Seasnax Nori snacks
- Plentils Chips
- Pumpkin seeds (although consider nut/seed free restrictions)
- Natures All dehydrated bananas.
- Hint water
Just so you don't think I'm a snack grinch, my kids have a snack they love that's not Foodtrainers-friendly. Near the soccer field there's a man who sells empanadas. His wife makes them and my boys adore them. I was very happy to see "Mr Empanada" back after Sandy.
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| Can you spot Mr Empanada? Not easy. |
I love hearing about people making healthy inroads. Tweet us @Foodtrainers with the hashtag #nondonutsnack with photos or descriptions of healthy sports snacks or even meeting fare.
I would have had the exact same concerns, Lauren. I actually did a store tour for a group of kids yesterday, and when I told them my job was to "help people make healthier food choices", one of the boys say "YUCK!". Ugh, I was so annoyed. I just looked at him and smiled :)
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear the boys enjoyed the snacks! It really gives me pleasure to see kids enjoy healthy foods (when I Do demos at work my favorite thing is to get kids to try new things, and watch their faces as they enjoy them....most of the time).
What is the saying you can bring a fish to water? That's our job to expose to remind to make it fun and when it works? So gratifying. I find the "yuck" response often when kids are in foreign territory or parents who are anti-healthy food. I like the sports angle because you want to be strong? have energy? Healthy is key.
ReplyDeleteThe peeled clusters sound interesting - what exactly are they made of if not grains? My son is only 6 but does play a lot of sports so I have a feeling there's a lot of this in my future. I'm fortunate that, although he loves to eat donuts and cookies just like most kids, he is pretty willing to try new foods and will do so with no preconceptions going in so he usually gives them a fair shot. He does like Gogo Squeeze a lot (they sell it at Costco which brings the price down a little). I think I would feel a lot like you did bringing "weird" healthy snacks to a sports event (a little self conscious and ready to get some strange looks). But I also think I would get a lot of similar comments from people who would be relieved that there is something healthier than donuts available! If people wonder what a healthy snack is, I always say that Michael Pollan has good advice that food should not come in a box and should eventually rot. Usually translates to fruits and veggies, but I like that you always give good ideas about packaged foods that are pretty good healthy options because let's face it, sometimes the convenience is really nice to have.
ReplyDeleteGreat healthy snack suggestions! It's hard enough choosing healthy snacks for myself I can only imagine what it's like when you have to choose for kids (& their friends!). BTW - I love empanadas - they were a staple in my diet (not good, I know) when I was living in Buenos Aires. I wonder if there's a recipe for healthy empanads out there? If anyone has one, please share!
ReplyDeleteDonuts are easy...that's why their so ubiquitous! Drives me crazy because I can never seem to "treat" my daughter to anything since her school "treats" her all the time.
ReplyDeleteTrader Joe's has portable applesauce which Maya seems to love and which make good snacks...
like trader joes yogurts too, not too sweet not bad ingredients. I agree treats are so common that a special something isn't special. I don't know if I buy the "easy" argument parents make, what snacks are hard?
ReplyDeletea place near us makes corn (and baked) empanadas but I really could try and see...have a sneaking suspicion the cheese and frying it are what my kids like. Great idea to make them though.
ReplyDeleteMost of the time I bring a fruit and a cracker or other snack. Homemade baked goods work well. The apples are baked and crisp up in the Peeled Clusters.
ReplyDeleteI'll do a little searching myself, and let you know!
ReplyDeleteThose look great. I love Peeled snacks. Are the clusters sold in stops yet? Also like the watermelon kabobs. I am so surprised to hear that kids are given donuts and chips during sports events. When I exercise, I would not want to eat something that would sit in my stomach. I actually remember looking forward to the orange slice during my soccer games. I was a horrible player, but enjoyed the oranges. As I am about to enter parenthood it is so good to get some tips. When I was in 3rd grade, my teacher insisted that snack time consist of fruit only. We all tried to outdo each other and I remember the day someone brought a mango...I have been hooked ever since. Think Mango slices would make a great sports snack. Guess it is all about being open and introducing foods, my sister got hooked on artichokes when she was about 7. She went to play at a friend's house and had one. She came home begging for them! I think she enjoyed them so much she thought they must be a "treat".
ReplyDeleteClusters are in stores but new. I love hearing of teachers who say only fruit/vegetable as once you set the rule healthy isn't embarrassing. One of leagues my boys play in said "healthy snacks only" which leaves room for some not so healthy things but it was clear donuts were out. How are you feeling?
ReplyDeleteI love his note. That is just adorable!
ReplyDeleteI have tried peeled snacks before but never the clusters. I think it's great that both the parents and kids were happy about them!
Thanks Kristen, good nutrition and manners 2 of my top parenting goals. And I so agree we should have foods and snacks that aren't kid friendly or for adults but good for everyone.
ReplyDeletenice snack idea and the Italian herbs are a blend, most grocery stores have it :-) hugs
ReplyDeleteSo glad your snack was a success! I haven't tried Peeled, so will look for them in the store. For my snack duty, I always bring fruit {frozen grapes, watermelon, and tangerines are favorites}, plus usually some cheese and a grain-popcorn or crackers. If it is a special occasion {i.e. my kids b-day} I will bring a treat, but I try and make it homemade. Would love to try those corn Empanadas!
ReplyDeleteCheese another good idea EA and I think homemade treats way different from DD.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rebecca, I don't think my spice cabinet can take an addition, may need to purge first.
ReplyDelete