This is a terrific letter I received from a parent about the letter to the editor I wrote in the Laguna Beach Independent this week.
—————————————————————————————–
Melanie,
Great letter in the Indy this week, I really appreciate you taking a public stance on this topic. I have always despised snack time for many reasons–garbage, kids care more about the snack than the game, etc.
I’d like to change the attitude and focus of the “Parent Snack” in all sports. Instead of it being viewed as a treat for after the game I want the snack to be a source of energy and hydration during the game. Your recommendation for fresh fruits and water (brought by each player for themselves) is perfect.
Having grapes, sliced oranges, sliced watermelon, cut banana (halves/thirds) is what these kids need and quite frankly enjoy. Taking it one step further these bite sized snacks are better consumed at halftime / between inning than they are after the game. Although this may seem like a difficult culture to change, the numbers are absolutely on your side. The two obstacles are:
1. The ease of grabbing gummy fruit snacks and Capri-Sun type juice boxes.
2. The “happy” reaction from the kids–an odd parent gratification that they brought a kid-cool snack.
These obstacles can be removed, I feel, with consistent small efforts and allowing people with similar views to know they are in the majority on this topic. Although I am not the face for healthy nutrition my distain for snack garbage and lack of focus from kids is off the charts. I’d like to push this topic more so by spring baseball we have changed this culture or more correctly keep the majority feeling strong without caving to the cool or easy factor.
Thanks again for publicly opening this topic.