Looking for healthy post-game snacks?
Here are sensible, low-cost, and good tasting healthy post-game snack options that kids and parents can all enjoy!
Chocolate milk is a good-tasting, low-cost, and easy to find healthy post-game snack.
- Chocolate milk is an awesome healthy post-game snack that provides adequate fluids and amounts of whey protein and leucine for muscle recovery. It also has scientifically supported ratios of carbohydrate to protein that enhance protein absorption. The calcium and vitamin D found in chocolate milk are important for bone health. Indoor sport athletes with limited sun exposure. can benefit from the extra vitamin D in chocolate milk. Almond, rice or soy-based chocolate milk can be used for those who don’t tolerate or are allergic to cow’s milk. There usually isn’t much objection to the sweet taste.
Tart cherry juice is a surprisingly good choice for reducing muscle soreness
- Tart cherry juice also provides necessary fluid intake wanted in a healthy post-game snack. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce both immediate and delayed muscle soreness and stiffness. This might reduce use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (like ibuprofen) after exercise.
How Much Chocolate Milk or Tart Cherry Juice?
- One 8-12 ounce serving of chocolate milk or tart cherry juice within 30 minutes of completing activity. Cold servings are better tolerated and absorbed.
Foods as Healthy Post-Game Snacks:
- Protein-rich foods such as peanut butter and Greek yogurt are helpful for muscle recovery. Greek yogurt also has probiotics that are important for food absorption and a healthy immune system.
- Berries and cherries are also good anti-inflammatory foods that provide a good-tasting healthy post-game snack. Serving them cold or even frozen can make a hot day more tolerable
- Cold serving of watermelon, apples, or oranges provide fluid, Vitamin C and certain salts needed after exercise.
- Limit sugar-filled sports drinks and also watch other high sugar content snacks after exercise.
- Click here for more information on important whole food choices for healthy post-game options
