That's Fit

Honestly - I have to say - lighten up. If your kids are eating healthy the rest of the week, a little junk food after running around for 40 minutes on a Saturday isn't going to really do that much harm. Lots of people I know exercise so they can indulge in treats yet maintain their weight. Very few people have the discipline to eat like ascetic bodybuilders. Being so controlling over your children's eating habits will boomerang against you (and them) in the long run.

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I wouldn't worry much about it either, but I will also note that when I played soccer as a kid, the parents had to take turns bringing snacks, and oranges were the usual. I think required, but I was a kid, so not really sure about that.

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I played soccer from the age of 7 all the way through my high school career. I can understand some concern over what other parents are feeding your children, but wanting to completely get rid of snacks is a little extreme. I know when I used to play I didn't always know the players on my team well. Sitting around for a little while after a game and enjoying a snack was a good way to not only discuss the game, but to also socialize with your teamates in a more relaxing environment. Ultimately I think the social interactions sports give children is more important than the physical activity.

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I've been coaching youth soccer for a few years now. Last year I canceled team snacks. Some of the parents were very upset and some were thankful.

Good for you for being a grouch and good for the league for being responsible.
See my posts here:
http://www.klenkefamily.net/tiger2007/2007/05/why-soccer-snacks-at-all.html
and
http://www.klenkefamily.net/tiger2007/2007/03/will-play-for-food.html

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I too am a snack grouch. I have had my kids in sports for many years. It started as a snack (not healthy) and somehow turned into goody bags full of junk food. Why is a snack even necessary? We can feed our kids after the game. And the kids do not sit around getting to know each other; they leave while eating. I have brought healthy snacks and they are given back to me by the kids. One team we are on doesn't do snacks and it is great and not missed. When did this snack thing start? It wasn't around when I was a kid.

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I think your on the right track but not completely nutrition savy yet. There are definite benefits to post game snacks after a vigurous sport, particularly soccer. Mid game snacks such as fruit (orange slices, apples, bannanas, grapes, melon etc.) are necessary just as fluids are to replace what is lost through sweat and sustain athletic endurance. A slightly sweetened snack (no more than 12 grams of sugar and 5 grams of fat) give the body back what it needs after a game. But that is only half the equation:
Pre game nutrition is the other half and vital to performance and stamina, it should include high protien and fiber as well as a balance of complex carbohydrates. (made fresh) This meal should be digested prior to the game.( about 90 minutes) This is why an emediate post game snack is necessary, the player is playing on an empty somache. (except for mid game fruit and fluids) The problem is this is not how the average soccer parent feeds their child. The sugar and fat content is out of control and sweets and treats are being used as a reward. That is not the intended purpose and in fact it defeats it. kids dive for the healthier snacks (ie. homemade pumpkin muffins and 100% juice) just as fast as the higher sugar snacks because they are hungry! By leaving it up to the parents to feed them when they get home may be to long. Good coaches will have post game speaches or reflection time, pushing the time your child goes whithout food anywhere from(depending on your child's age from 3.5 to 4 hours. I suggest volunteering to be a team mom and using that opportunity to educate others on pre and post game nutrition. Every one likes to win so learning how to help their child perform at his/her best is usualy welcome. When people realize we eat to live and not live to eat the obesity and health related problems in this country will be solved. (excercise and nutrition is the key to everything. Just because snack may not seem like it is missed by one family or even an entire team does not mean that it is healthier for them. (remember these are the people who are not feeding proper pre game nutrition either) Most families do not lead healthy lifestyles. Enrolling your kids in sports is good but including proper nutrion with it is better!
Speeking from experience,

soccer mom for 9 years and counting, (includes fall, winter allstar and spring seasons yearly), wife of a soccer coach, certified referee, fitness and nutrition freak, and someone who loves to participate in sports herself, particularly the extreme ones.

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