Healthy snacks for teen athletes

Active teens can require 2, to 5, calories each day to provide their bodies with an adequate supply of energy. Incorporate healthy snacks that include fruit, vegetables, protein and whole grains into your teen athlete's daily routine. This will ensure that he will get all the key nutrients required to sustain his physical activity and his growing body. Fruits and Vegetables Although most fruits and vegetables are low in calories, they provide a wide-variety of vitamins that are necessary to keep a teen athlete's body healthy and strong. Combine these foods with some healthy fat and protein sources to make snacks more substantial.

Your teen athlete needs power for quick, strong moves and endurance for practices and games. But how do you make sure that your active teen gets the necessary nutrients to fuel both? Here are four nutrition tips to keep in mind. Food Is Fuel You wouldn't put cheap gas in a luxury car, so why put unhealthy fats and added sugars in your teen athlete's body? Active teenage boys need 3, to 4, calories a day, while active girls need 2, to 3, calories.

STACK offers nine expert-approved choices for athletes. But eat too much, too close to game time, and your pre-game meal may wind up on your shoes or in a nearby trash can. Your best bet is to eat a pre-game snack about half an hour before you step onto the court or field to top off your energy stores, helping you power past opponents in the closing minutes.