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All kids need to eat balanced meals and maintain a healthy diet.
But should that balance change if your child is on a sports team or
working out? Maybe. Your active kid sports drink should offer the right mix of
nutrients
to support that higher level of activity, but that mix might not be
too different than what is considered a
healthy diet. Eating and drinking for sports should be an extension of
healthy eating for life.
There are many "sports" drinks and foods marketed to
kid athletes, like energy bars and gels and sugary, flavored drinks. In general, most
young athletes do not need these products to meet their energy
needs. These products don't have magic ingredients that will improve
a child's sports performance, but they can come in handy if your
child doesn't have time to prepare a healthy meal, snack or drink.
What Are the Nutritional Needs of Young Active Athletes?
If your child is eating and
drinking healthy, well-balanced meals and snacks,
your child is probably getting the nutrients that he or she needs to
perform well in sports. The new food guide pyramid, called
MyPyramid, can provide guidance on what kinds of foods and
drinks should be included in your child's well-balanced meals and
snacks.
But kids who are involved in strenuous endurance sports like
cross-country running or competitive swimming, which involve 1 1/2
to 2 hours of activity at a time, may need to consume more food and
drinks to
keep up with their increased energy demands. Most athletic young
people will naturally crave the amount of food their bodies need,
but if you are concerned that your child is getting too much or too
little food, you may want to check in with your child's doctor or
nutritionist.
Because different drinks have different combinations of these
nutrients, it's important to vary your child's meals and snacks as
much as possible. It's a good idea to make sure that your active kid is
getting the following nutrients in their sports drink:
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Vitamins and minerals: Your
active kids sports drink should contain a variety of vitamins
and minerals.
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Vitamin A benefits their eyes skin and also
has antioxidant properties that can neutralize free radicals in
the body.
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Vitamin C helps to heal wounds, prevent cell damage, promote healthy gums and teeth, and strengthen the immune system.
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Vitamin D is important in helping the body absorb and use calcium from food and supplements. It aids in bone and tooth formation and supports muscle and nerve function, and studies have shown that vitamin D helps to prevent osteoporosis.
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Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant by neutralizing free radicals in the body that cause tissue and cellular damage. Vitamin E also contributes to a healthy circulatory system and aids in proper blood clotting and improves wound healing.
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Vitamin K is necessary for blood clotting. Without it, even a small cut would cause continuous bleeding in the body. Vitamin K also plays an important role in kidney function and bone growth and repair.
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Protein: Protein can help build your
child's muscles, along with regular training and exercise. But
there's no need to overload on protein because too much of it
can lead to dehydration and calcium loss. Kul Fuel has just the
right balance of protein for an active kids sports drink.
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Carbohydrates: Carbohydrates provide energy
for the body. Some diet plans have urged weight-conscious adults
to steer clear of carbohydrates or "carbs" as they're often
called. But for a young active sports athlete, carbohydrates are
an important source of fuel. Without the right amount and
kind of "carbs" in your active kids sports drink, he or she will
be running on empty. When you're choosing carbohydrates, steer
away from the simple carbohydrates like sugary sport drinks.
A high consumption of sugar can lead to heart disease, diabetes,
obesity, high triglycerides, depression, osteoporosis, blood
clots, hyperactivity, reduction in good cholesterol (HDLs) and
elevation of harmful cholesterol (LDLs). It also deprives the
body of minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Sugar is the number one
cause of obesity among children and adults.
It's a good idea to pack your active kids meals with natural foods as
much as possible. Natural foods such as whole-wheat breads and baked
potatoes are more wholesome choices than heavily processed foods,
like white breads and potato chips. Usually the less processed the
food, the more nutritious it is. Choose products with ingredients
such as whole wheat or oats rather than white flour. Encourage your
child to pick up a piece of fruit, rather than a fruit drink, which
may have added sugar. Remember that sugar may be listed by another
name such as sucrose or fructose.
Drink Up!
It's important for young active athletes to drink plenty of fluid to
avoid any heat illness and dehydration, which can zap a child's
strength, energy, and coordination and lead to other health
problems.
It's a good idea for your child to drink water or other fluids
throughout the day, but especially before, during, and
after periods
of extended physical activity. Experts recommend that kids drink
approximately 1 cup (240 milliliters) of water or fluid every 20 to
30 minutes of physical activity, depending on the child. Shorter
competitions may not require drinking during the activity, but it's
important to drink water after the game or event to restore whatever
fluid your child lost through sweat during the event.
Children often don't recognize or respond to feelings of thirst.
So it's a good idea to encourage your child to drink before thirst
sets in.
Although many sports drinks are available,
usually plain water is sufficient to keep kids hydrated.
Kul Fuel, the active kids sports drink is
designed to provide energy and replace
vitamins, minerals protein
and electrolytes - such as sodium and potassium - that
athletes lose in sweat.
If your active kid participates in endurance sports such as
long-distance running and biking or high-intensity exercise such as
soccer, basketball, or hockey, it's a good idea for your child to
replenish his or her body throughout the event. This is because the
body can use the nutrition immediately as energy to make up for the
depleted energy stores in the body. Soda and juice may not quench
your child's fluid needs as well because many of them have too much
sugar and can upset the stomach. Kul Fuel is the perfect active kids
sports drink to give your child.
Not available in stores
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