Pre-Game Snack Ideas

Sometimes, getting your kids to eat healthy is tough. When you’re rushed, trying to get out the door to a game, the challenge to throw together a healthy pre-game snack in minutes can be even tougher.

Your kid may see no problem with grabbing cookies or a bag of chips on the way out the door. For them, taste is the only factor.

You want them to eat healthy – something nutritious, with protein and carbohydrates that will fuel them for a couple hours. But you also don’t want them to not eat the snack.

I have two notoriously picky eaters, and I’ll tell you, the challenge is real. My solution? We sat down and came up a with a list of nack ideas that they would actually eat. We modified the snacks to make sure there is nutritional value, and always some protein and healthy carbohydrates.

Download the list of 20 Healthy Pre-Game Snacks.

Here are a few things to stock in your fridge and pantry for fast, simple, moderately healthy (and tasty!) pre-game snacks.

Fresh Fruit

Tip: The following fruits all last for a week, at least, and travels well in coolers.

Apples
Bananas
Oranges
Grapes

Frozen Fruit

Tip: I freeze bananas by the dozen so we always have some on hand for smoothies. I start by peeling very ripe bananas (the kind with brown spots) then individually freezing them whole, wrapped in plastic wrap. Frozen bananas give smoothies the perfect thick consistency without needing to add ice.

Berries
Peaches
Strawberries
Bananas

Crackers, Tortilla Chips, Pretzels

Multigrain tortilla chips, like Tostitos
whole grain crackers, like Triscuits
Graham Crackers
Pita chips
Tortillas (whole grain, multigrain, corn)
Mini pretzels

Cereals

Microwave Oatmeal
Whole grain or multigrain cereals like Original Cheerios, Multigrain Cheerios, Kix
Granola (want to make your own? Here’s my recipe for Super Easy Granola)

Veggies

Tip: Clean and trim carrots and celery. Store in ziploc bags, covered in water, in the fridge for up to a week. Perfect for snacks and sides for quick dinners.

Carrots
Celery

Spreads and Dips

Tip: For games and tournaments, I sometimes buy peanut butter, hummus and guacamole in individual cups to take for snacks at the field.

Peanut Butter
Hummus
Cream Cheese
Guacamole

Cheese, Meat

Polly-o Cheese Sticks
Deli Ham
Deli Cheese
Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Other/Convenience Foods

Clif Bars
Granola Bars
Lightly salted peanuts
Dried fruit (raisins, dried apples, etc)

Finding your kids a fast pre-game or pre-practice snack doesn’t need to be difficult. Stock your fridge and pantry with these staples and help them make healthy snack choices.