Tasty, Energy-Boosting Snack Ideas for Young Salvo Soccer Club Players

Young soccer players need proper nutrition and snacks while playing to keep their energy up. It’s even better when those healthy snacks taste good! At Salvo Soccer Club, we encourage parents to pack healthy snacks for both practices and soccer games. 

We’ve put together a list of some great, energy-boosting snacks for your young athlete. Don’t forget to encourage hydration, too!

Make It Healthy Finger-Food

When it comes to fueling young soccer players, it's important for parents to provide nutritious and energizing snack options. Here are some good snack foods that parents can bring for their youth soccer players.

Orange Slices

Orange slices are a classic soccer snack, both for practice and game time. They provide a quick boost of vitamins, fiber, calcium, and hydration. Oranges can help keep blood sugar in check, and they can improve cognitive function. They’re easy to eat, so long as you bring wipes for sticky hands! 

Bananas

Another excellent soccer fruit is bananas. They provide essential calories during tough practices and games and are high in potassium, which can help prevent muscle cramps. Bananas also contain natural sugars, fiber, and essential vitamins to help supercharge soccer players’ bodies and minds. 

Trail Mix

Trail mix is an easy snack to prepare and very customizable. Most trail mixes include ingredients like granola, carob chips, chocolate candies, dried fruit bits, ginger, yogurt chips, and nuts. 

Trail mix has protein and carbohydrates to keep soccer players’ energy up. Create your own best version and share your trail mix with others, but be cautious of allergies. 

Applesauce Squeeze Packs

Applesauce in handy squeeze packs is perfect for soccer games and practice. It’s an easy, no-mess snack solution that helps young players fuel up and gain more energy while getting a serving of fruit. 

String Cheese or Yogurt

These dairy options are perfect game-day snacks for young soccer players, providing the protein and calcium they need to stay strong on the field. String cheese, made from part-skim mozzarella, is not only easy to pack but also low in calories and high in protein—ideal for fueling muscles and maintaining energy during games. 

Yogurt cups or squeeze packs, especially Greek yogurt, are packed with protein and probiotics to support digestion and gut health, helping players feel their best. For extra benefits, choose yogurt fortified with vitamin D to boost calcium absorption and support overall strength and immune function. 

Pair these with fruits or nuts for a balanced snack, and keep them cool in an insulated container to ensure freshness on game day.

Energy Bites

Energy bites are easy to make at home and are packed with healthy nutrients. The most common ingredients include oats, nut butter, honey, and seeds, though you can also use chickpeas. They can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. 

Here is one simple recipe:

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats

• ⅔ cup toasted shredded coconut

• ½ cup creamy peanut butter

• ½ cup ground flaxseed

• ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips

• ⅓ cup honey

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Chill in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours or until the mixture is chilled. Roll into 1-inch balls and serve. They can also stay in the fridge for about a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months. 

Hydration Tips

Keeping your young soccer player hydrated is essential. Here are a few tips on ensuring proper hydration before, during, and after soccer practices and games: 

• Drink plenty of water the day before practice or a game.
• Sip water during the game to stay hydrated.
• Incorporate sports drinks as needed, but be wary of the sodium and sugar content.
• Recover after playing with a healthy fruit smoothie—be sure to include some protein.

Register Your Child at Salvo Soccer Club Today!

Salvo Soccer Club is the perfect place for your child to play soccer. We are a non-profit youth sports organization that provides an exceptional soccer experience for ages 5-18+. We are an inclusive club with diverse opportunities for growth, and we strive to teach players the benefits of teamwork, discipline, and sportsmanship.

Give your child the soccer experience of a lifetime! Send us a message online today for more information.