Sport and recreational leagues

Team snacks

Help bring veggies, fruit, and water, to the sidelines instead of sugary snacks and drinks, by participating in our super snacks challenge!

To participate, tell each parent that the team is participating in the super snacks challenge and provide each them with a copy of the snack ideas flyer.

As part of the challenge, parents are asked to offer only fruit and vegetables as team snacks and to bring water for their child to hydrate.

Rewards

Offering food as a reward can lead children to develop an unhealthy relationship with food.

Offer non-food rewards for a game well-played such as:

• Asking a player to be a ‘coach’s helper’ and help set up the field or court next time.
• Providing verbal praise.
• Giving high-fives.

Canteens 

Canteen operators can follow Health Canada’s recommendations for community spaces, including offering foods and beverages from Canada’s Food Guide, to help fuel athletes to play and recover.

For snacks:

• Whole, fresh fruit
• Frozen (thawed) fruit with yogurt
• Fruit smoothies made with frozen fruit and yogurt
• Plain, air-popped, popcorn
• Whole grain cereal bars (not coated in yogurt or chocolate)
• Fresh veggies and hummus
• Whole grain crackers with cheese

For meals:

• Baked beans
• Chili with vegetables, lean meat, chickpeas and beans
• Sandwiches with whole-grain bread, vegetables and lean meats
• Grilled burgers with chicken, turkey, lean beef or pork
• Pasta salad with vegetables and cubed cheese
• Quinoa salad with chickpeas and vegetables

For beverages:

• Plain tap water
• Plain milk

Canteen operators interested in more information can speak with a registered dietitian at 613-549-1232, ext. 1180.  

Barbecues and celebrations

Celebrations like end-of-year parties can be great team-building and social experiences. Include foods and beverages from Canada’s Food Guide to give everyone lasting energy.

If offering a snack, consider:

• Whole, fresh fruit
• Frozen (thawed) fruit with yogurt
• Fruit smoothies made with frozen fruit and yogurt
• Plain, air-popped, popcorn
• Whole grain cereal bars (not coated in yogurt or chocolate)
• Fresh veggies and hummus
• Whole grain crackers with cheese
• Plain water
• Plain milk

If offering a meal, consider:

• Baked beans
• Chili with vegetables, lean meat, chickpeas and beans
• Sandwiches with whole-grain bread, vegetables and lean, unprocessed meats
• Grilled burgers with chicken, turkey, lean beef or pork
• Salads like mixed bean salad, pasta salad with vegetables and cubed cheese or quinoa salad with chickpeas and vegetables
• Plain tap water
• Plain milk

Sponsorships and advertising 

Health Canada recommends limiting children’s exposure to food marketing.

Food and beverage marketing can greatly influence children’s food preferences, purchase requests and choices.

Sports-related food marketing can occur through a variety of ways, including:

• Sponsorship of sports teams or sporting events

• Foods and beverages served at special events or used for fundraising

• Promotional signs around the facility

To limit children’s exposure to food and beverage marketing, consider requesting local non-food businesses to act as team sponsors. If businesses cannot provide a financial contribution, they could consider offering a small discount on their product or service to league members. 

If food and beverage companies want to act as a sponsor, ask if they can contribute financially without your league displaying their logo (e.g., on players’ shirts). Instead, show appreciation for these contributions in an email to parents.

Fundraising

Many fundraisers involve selling foods that are not recommended by Canada’s Food Guide, contradicting the healthy eating messages that children learn at school and home.

Use your fundraisers as an opportunity to model healthy eating through words and actions by selling whole fruit, cheese or dried pasta.

You could also plan a fundraiser that does not involve food, such as:

• 50/50 draw or bingo night

• Recycling drive

• Calendar sale

• Plant or flower sale

• Gift wrap or stationary sale

• Flea market or garage sale

• Walk-a-thon or car wash