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Producing
Fit Keiki
What
are your kids up to these days? What season is this?
For many families in Hawai‘i, youth sports are popular after-school and
weekend activities. Whether it’s swimming, martial arts, dance and gymnastics,
or a ball sport, kids are having fun, learning skills and sportsmanship, getting
great exercise and burning off a lot of calories and energy. It is important
for parents and coaches to remember to also teach our youngsters about proper
hydration—that’s drinking enough fluids before, during and after
physical activity—and about proper nutrition and food safety.
Physical activity develops stamina, strength and coordination. It also increases
the need for extra calories and the importance of eating a well balanced diet
for growth, energy and good health.
 Developed
initially by undergraduate nutrition students at UH Manoa, the Produce
An Athlete website was designed to promote fruits and vegetables
for youth participating in sports. Now Produce An Athlete is being
re-launched with more information for coaches, parents and youth
participating in sports. Find newsletters on fruits and vegetables,
fluids and hand washing; suggestions and recipes for healthful
snacks and potlucks; and links to related sports and nutrition
websites and interactive learning websites.
For parents looking for healthful snack ideas for after practice and games, as
well as healthful recipes for potlucks and parties, the Food Skills Cookbook offers
more than 75 recipes. Newsletters provide current information on nutrition, health
and keeping food safe.
Kids will enjoy the interactive websites that make learning about health, food
and nutrition fun and interesting. Check it out!
Produce An Athlete is a project of the Cooperative Extension Service and the
Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal Sciences, University of Hawai‘i
at Manoa.
This article is provided by the Cooperative
Extension Service, Department of Human Nutrition, Food and Animal
Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources,
1955 East-West Rd., AgSci 216. Visit our Lifeskills
in Food Education Web site.
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