Posted on: Saturday, April 23, 2005

PRESCRIPTIONS
Young athletes fed health information

By Amy Tousman

Q. Where can parents get ideas on healthful foods to feed their children who play sports?

A. For many Hawai'i families, youth sports are popular after-school and weekend activities. Swimming, martial arts, dance and soccer are some of the activities our keiki enjoy. It is important for parents and coaches to teach children who participate in sports about drinking enough fluids to prevent dehydration, eating healthful foods to power their bodies, and washing their hands to prevent the spread of germs.

A Web site called "Produce an Athlete" contains sports and nutrition information for parents, coaches and children ages 9 to 12. University of Hawai'i nutrition students created the site under the direction of instructor Dian Dooley and cooperative extension specialist Julia Zee, a dietitian. It is at www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/paa.

The site is divided into three sections: "Coaches Corner," "For Kids Only" and "Parents Page."

The "Coaches Corner" has information about fruits, vegetables, fluids and proper hand-washing. It also lists the signs of heat illness.

"For Kids Only" has links to Web sites that make learning about health, food and nutrition fun. These sites include games about physical activity and balanced nutrition.

The "Parents Page" has healthful recipes and "after-practice" snack ideas. It also includes tips on how to incorporate fruits and vegetables into meals and snacks. Fruits and vegetables can help replace some of the water and potassium lost during exercise.

One portion of the Web site, called "Project Lean Recipes," contains recipes that have been modified to reduce the fat content. Local favorites such as haupia, Portuguese bean soup and stuffed eggplant are a few of the recipes included.

Here are a few snack ideas from the site:

• Peanut butter sandwiches and fruit.

• Popcorn and fruit.

• Pudding and fruit.

• Yogurt and fruit.

• Baked chips, salsa and fruit.

• Dried fruit and cereal (example: Kix and dried cranberries).

• Vegetable sticks with dips.

• Somen salads.

• Tomatoes, green onions and round onions lomi-lomi style.

The UH students plan to add more information to the Web site in the coming months. Sports and healthful eating work hand in hand to produce healthier keiki. It is great that the university is stepping up to the plate by providing parents and coaches with useful ideas.

Amy Tousman is a registered dietitian with the Health Education Center of Straub Clinic and Hospital. Hawai'i experts in traditional medicine, naturopathic medicine and diet take turns writing the Prescriptions column. Send your questions to: Prescriptions, Island Life, The Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; fax 535-8170; or to islandlife@honoluluadvertiser.com. This column is not intended to provide medical advice.