A few weeks ago, I wrote about the parade of crappy food at my son’s soccer games–and I vowed to push for a change the next opportunity I got.
So when t-ball started a few weeks ago, I immediately wrote to the coach and asked if we could establish a healthier snack policy. His response: “I support this 100%”.
Here is the email I sent to team parents:
Hi everyone,
I was asked to head up the snack schedule for our t-ball season. And I’m making a radical suggestion: Remember the orange slices we all ate on the sidelines when we were kids playing sports? Let’s bring back that tradition!
I’m proposing this because as a registered dietitian and a mom, I’m concerned about the snacks being offered at kids’ sports games around the city. And from my conversations with other parents on the soccer and t-ball sidelines over the last year or two, I know many of you probably are as well.
We want our kids to play sports so they move their bodies, burn off their energy, and be healthy–and all of this is canceled out by handing them Oreos and a Capri Sun after a game. The truth is, our kids spend a lot of time in sports waiting on the sidelines or standing in the outfield. Yes, they’re learning about the sport and picking up skills, but they aren’t sweating and moving enough to justify a big snack of junk food.
Here’s what the coach and I are asking of you: Everyone bring their own water bottles, and parents take turns bringing fruit. This fruit-only snack policy benefits everyone because there’s less cost (when it’s your turn to bring snacks, you are only in charge of bringing fruit, and you can easily buy fruit for the whole team plus siblings for around $5) and less mess (no packages to pick up, no juice pouches in landfills). And because we won’t be feeding them junk, that also means they’ll be hungry for lunch or dinner afterward.
Feel free to bring any fresh fruit you’d like (please wash it so it’s ready to grab and eat). You can also bring small boxes of raisins, but please do not bring fruit roll-ups or fruit snacks, since those don’t contain any real fruit and are mostly added sugar.
Some ideas: Orange slices, bananas, apples, peaches, pears, watermelon slices, grapes (cut into small bunches the kids can grab), berries or melon balls/cubes (put them in paper cups so kids can pour them into their mouths with no fork necessary), small boxes of raisins.
If you don’t think your child will eat fruit or feel he needs something more after the game, please bring your own snack and give it to your child when he’s away from the field. Please don’t bring extras to share with other players.
Remember to bring a full bottle of water to each game for your child. Please do not bring flavored water pouches or juice boxes for players. The best thing for kids to drink before, during, and after sports is regular water. (The American Academy of Pediatrics recently warned that most kids don’t even need sports drinks. The electrolytes lost during sweat can easily be replaced at their next meal.)
Will the kids grumble about the lack of Doritos? They might at first. But frankly, my kids grumble about brushing their teeth and going to bed! But I know these things are important for their health. This is too.
With this snack policy, our team can set an example for the whole league. We all care about our kids and want the best for them, so let’s start here.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about this snack policy.
Thank you!
Then I held my breath. Would parents rally behind the Ritz Bits and take me to task for being uptight?
Exactly the opposite. I got emails back saying, “LOVE IT!”, “Wow, this is wonderful!”, ” Thanks for saying something!” and best of all, “It’s about time someone took a stand on this!”
After the first game of the season, the Bad News Bears Orioles ate every last piece of watermelon I brought. No one asked, “Where are the chips?” Nobody complained.
Until we got to the parking lot where the ice cream truck was stationed. Then it hit the fan. But that’s another post entirely.
For more on mobilizing your community, here’s a great resource from the Meal Makeover Moms.
{ 24 comments… read them below or add one }
Way to go sending that well written letter! I’m so glad that you received positive responses too.
I hope you have good support from all of the parents. Good for you for standing up for the kids!
Last T-ball game is this week. But, I am so ready to do this next year. Thank you.
Thanks Rachel. So far so good. We’ll see how the rest of the season goes.
Me too! So far everyone is supportive. And I am so grateful to the coach, who is in total agreement. I think that is probably the key.
Sally, I’ve never replied to a blog before, but this deserves it! GREAT job communicating with the other parents, way to go! These snacks should be the norm, not the exception.
That’s so awesome, Sally! What a well-written letter–I’m not surprised the parents are on board. Way to make a change one step at a time. Michelle Obama would be proud.
Love it!!!!! You are so kick ass! Please send this in to the Dispatch Editorial section and/or parenting magazines!! It is so important considering the childhood obesity epidemic!
Great post, Sally! Thanks for including your letter to give others a positive example of how to nicely take action. I never understood why parents thought chips and sweets were appropriate to give kids playing sports – it is crazy that fruit is not the norm. Of course, I’d much rather see fresh fruit on the sidelines from a food allergy standpoint, too.
Awesome Sally! You’re the Jamie Oliver of Columbus!
Sally, great post! My husband and I were thinking back to our sports days as kids, and the ONLY thing that was brought for snack was orange slices. Thanks for bringing back the perspective of when we were kids!
Parents underestimate kids all the time when it comes to food and eating. I’m so glad this worked out for you. Not only will the kids eat a healthier snack, but they’ll be more likely to eat their veggies at dinner if they’re used to snacking on fruit. The more kids are used to the taste, texture, appearance and eating experience of fresh foods the more likely they are to eat them. Congratulations on taking a stand and finding success.
This is awesome! We are just entering the world of t-ball and, soon, soccer. Our first snack initiation was Little Debbie snack cakes and Capri Sun. YUCK!!! I am definitely bringing fruit when it is our turn for snacks!
Our T-Ball games start tomorrow. I am the first one on the snack schedule. What a great idea to send out this letter. I might have to do the same……Thanks for the inspiration!
VERY WELL SAID! When my kids get to the age when they start playing sports, I would love to take the same initiative you did (as a fellow mom and registered dietitian)! Great job.
Excellent! It got more complicated for me this year because my daughter is now playing High School volleyball and the parents take turns bringing meals to the girls for away games. Most parents opt for picking up sub sandwiches, chips, and candy, but I just couldn’t bring myself to do the same thing. I went out on a limb and made homemade burritos, packed orange slices, yogurt, and homemade cookies. Guess what?? The girls loved it!
Thanks Alysa! Let me know how it goes!
Thank you!! My experience has been that most moms agree with this, but few want to speak out about it. I think as RDs, we have a duty to help improve the health of our communities when we can. (Also, I love the name of your blog!)
Thanks Angel! I love your meal, and I’m sure the girls really appreciated some homemade food. I think sometimes parents don’t give kids a chance to like healthier food and so they fall back on the junk (like chips and candy and fast food). Maybe the other team parents will follow your lead. Thanks for reading my blog!
You are my HERO! My kids are still too young for sports teams (2 1/2 and 6 months) but if you don’t mind I’m going to save your letter for later. When they do start in sports your diplomatic approach will probably go a long way. KUDOS!
Thanks Monica! Trust me, those days will be here before you know it.
I sooo agree. For basketball this year my daughter has been getting Krispy Kremes and Sunny D’s. Ick! I brought popcorn and cheese sticks. They all ate them! Cheese sticks are a good choice too, a little protein after a game never hurts either.
Just a question- Do you hand out the fruit at half time, at the end of the game, or both?
Allison–we just give out the fruit at the end of the game.
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