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Feeding Your Child Athlete

By Kids Health, 07/25/18, 12:00PM PDT

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Kids and teens who are involved in all-day competitions or strenuous endurance sports, in particular, may need to consume more food to keep up with increased energy demands.

All kids need to eat balanced meals and have a healthy diet. But should that balance change for kids who play on a sports team or work out? Kids need to eat the right amount and mix of foods to support that higher level of activity, but that mix might not be too different from a normal healthy diet. Eating for sports should be an extension of healthy eating for life.

Nutritional Needs of Young Athletes

Kids who eat healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks will get the nutrients needed to perform well in sports.