Are you searching for fun ways to encourage your children to be more active and explore new interests? As part of this, it’s important to prioritize proper nutrition before race day to ensure your kids perform at their best and prevent injuries. Here are some helpful tips and meal suggestions to help your young athletes excel. Our friend Erin Kane, fitness guru and a parent of three triathletes, shares the advantages of keeping kids active, pushing oneself, and acquiring new abilities.
The PureKids Triathlon season is upon us, and if you’re looking to get your kids active and involved in something new, why not consider signing them up for a race? My three girls have been participating in these races for years, and it’s been an excellent way for them to stay active, challenge themselves, and learn new skills.
Importance of Proper Nutrition –
One of the most important things we’ve learned over the years is the significance of eating a healthy, balanced diet during training and before race day. Just like with any other sport or physical activity, proper nutrition is key to performing at your best and avoiding injury. To ensure a healthy and active lifestyle, we focus on meals high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. And now, we’re excited to introduce the idea of incorporating fresh, veggie snacks like Mini Munchies® on hand for sports practice, training sessions, and of course, race day!
Greenhouse grown fruits and vegetables are full of essential vitamins and nutrients that kids (and parents) need to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle. That’s why we always have snacks like Mini Munchies® on hand for sports practice, training sessions, and, of course, race day! These fresh and raw snacks are easy to digest, making them perfect for refueling before and after the race.
Fueling Up for Race Day –
For us, that means focusing on meals high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats. The night before a race, we like to serve up a big, hearty meal that will provide plenty of energy for the next day’s activities. Some of our favorite pre-race dinners include a meaty pasta dish loaded with veggies like the Chicken Bacon Ranch Pasta Salad, a Thai Pasta Salad, a rainbow of Kid-Friendly Cobb Salad, or a Tomato Basil Pasta. These nutrient-rich dishes that are full of greenhouse grown veggies help ensure that there is plenty of fuel in the tank on race day!
Breakfast Ideas –
Breakfast on race day can be trickier, especially if your kids aren’t great early-morning eaters. But ensuring they’re getting enough fuel to power them through the race is essential. Our favorite breakfast options include Egg & Veggie Breakfast Wraps or Fresh Breakfast Sandwiches. It’s always a good idea to have some easy-to-prepare breakfast options on race day. You want to make sure you choose foods that are easy to digest and will give you sustained energy throughout the race. If it’s too early to eat before you leave home, make sure to pack your breakfast and plenty of water in a cooler or insulated bag to keep it fresh while you travel to the race location.
Healthy Snacks for Post-Race Recovery –
After a race, it’s crucial to refuel with healthy snacks that can replenish the body and promote recovery. Pure Flavor® Mini Munchies® are packed with fiber and essential nutrients to keep you feeling full and energized. The tiny Juno® Bites Red Grape Tomatoes are particularly delicious and offer a candy-like sweetness and Vitamin C, lycopene, and antioxidants. They’re a fantastic source of natural energy for kids who need a boost during recess or any other activity. Poco Bites® Cocktail Cucumbers are perfect for on-the-go snacking and provide the hydration kids need to keep playing all day long. For a refreshing treat, try Aurora Bites Mini Sweet Peppers – they’re packed with immune-boosting Vitamins A, C, and various B Vitamins that can improve focus and energy production. They’re an excellent addition to any race day!
Eating a healthy diet before race day is essential for any young athlete. Focusing on meals high in protein, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats can help your kids perform at their best and stay healthy and active for years. So why not sign up for a race today and start reaping the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle? Check out the PureKids Triathlon series and fuel your young athletes with fresh, produce snacks for peak performance on race day!
~ Erin
