Foods For Fitness
Healthy Eating
Support your family in their efforts to stay fit, by giving them food that'll have them fizzing with energy.
It's important to keep active or sporty children going with energy-boosting foods which also have essential nutrients. Slow release carbohydrates and sugars are ideal for this and come in a variety of different guises - such as …
Granola bars
Loaded with fibre from whole grains, these are a great source of energy in the form of carbohydrates. Studies show that children are mentally sharper when they've eaten carbohydrates, and brain cells need a constant supply.
Oat bran muffin
With more fibre and less fat than a typical blueberry muffin, oat bran muffins also provide surprising amounts of potassium (which reduces cramping) and magnesium (which helps the body's metabolic rate).
Fruit
Apples are high in fibre and refreshing. Bananas top all other fresh fruits as a source of potassium, a mineral that kids lose during physical activity. By keeping your child's blood sugar level from slipping, fruit staves off a mid-morning slump.
Fruit salad
Prepare a big fruit salad on Sunday that you can dish out during the week. Add a dollop of yoghurt to each serving for extra protein and calcium.
Wheat or oat flakes
The breakfast of athletic heroes, wholewheat (or oat) flake cereals fill your child up and keep him going. Look for varieties with at least 5 grams of fibre and no more than a few grams of sugar per serving
If you start getting children into healthy habits of a lifetime from an early age, they will thank you for it in years to come - hopefully!
