Susan M. Morgan, CFCS
Extension Agent
Family and Consumer Sciences
Bolivia, NC 28422
May 2003

PICNIC PACKING FOR SPRING SPORTS

If your children are active in springtime sports, you may be spending a good deal of your life these days at the softball/baseball field, track meet or soccer tournament. Eating healthy can be a real challenge, particularly if you rely on the soda pop, candy and hot dog fare that is sold at the typical concession stand.

With a bit of planning, you can improve the nutrition for your young athlete while saving time and money. Sharpen your child's nutrition and organization skills by enlisting his/her help in the preparation and packing.

Below are a few ideas of what to pack. Make sure to include something from every food group listed. Be sure to include your favorites from each category.

• Beverages: water bottles, 100% fruit juice boxes, sports drinks (note: you should limit the sports beverages to one bottle/child; water is still the best “sports drink.)
• Grains: whole grain crackers such as Wheat Thins, Wheatables and sandwiches made with 100% whole wheat bread, and limit chips to baked chips such as tortilla.
• Fruits: apple or orange wedges, grapes or dried fruits (preferably those without added sugar.
• Vegetables: baby carrots, celery sticks, cucumber wedges, grape or cherry tomatoes
• Protein: peanut butter, hummus, lean deli meats, soy nuts, other nuts
• Dairy: string cheese (part-skim mozzarella), yogurt, and cheese cubes
• Other Items you'll need are: Plates, napkins, spoons, hand sanitizer, refreezable ice packs, sun screen, bandages, other first aid items you may need

Just like when you pack groceries, be sure to put the more durable items such as water bottles on the bottom and the more fragile items such as fruits and vegetables on the top of the cooler (another advantage is that kids will see the fruits and veggies first when opening the cooler).

Save your back by packing all perishables in an easy-to-tote soft-sided cooler. Put the non-perishable items in a separate basket or a tote bag. Keep Food Safe

Be sure to place refreezable ice packs in your cooler and make sure you enforce hand washing before your hungry young athletes begin eating. Hand sanitizers and hand sanitizing hand wipes are better than nothing, but don't let them take the place of handwashing, if warm water and soap are available.

If you don't eat it all and it is a potentially hazardous food, put it back into your well-iced cooler and cool it immediately or "if in doubt—throw it out." The long range costs of a foodborne illness will probably far out- weigh the food you may be throwing out.

Susan Morgan is Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences for the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Brunswick County. For more information or questions, contact Susan at (910) 253-2610 or P. O. Box 109, Bolivia, NC 28422.

Please e-mail Susan Morgan, Extension Agent, Family and Consumer Sciences, CFCS, for further information or assistance.

The information presented is for educational purposes only. References to trade names is made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement by North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service is implied.

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Date Created 5/21/2003