Healthy Eating Away From Home

Only 3 percent of kids’ meals served at fast-food restaurants met federal dietary guidelines in a first-of-its-kind study  examining the nutrient quality of such meals in Houston.

Traveling by air or to a foreign country presents some unique nutritional challenges for the youth athlete trying to maintain a diet high in carbohydrates and fluids, moderate in protein and low in fat.

At all day events or tournaments, stopping at a grocery or convenience store is usually a better bet than the concession stand, which typically offers foods that are high in fat, (e.g. nacho chips, cheese fries, and hot dogs) and are expensive. Many supermarkets have a soup and salad bar with a variety of healthy foods. With guidance from parents and coaches, young athletes can find healthy, high carbohydrate, low fat foods in every aisle of the store.

Choosing lower-fat items at fast food restaurants when you and your child are away from home competing in a tournament or event is easy if you know what to look for and what items to avoid.

Healthy high-carbohydrate, low fat meals are available at ethnic restaurants. You just have to know what to look for, what to avoid or watch out for, and what the good menu choices are: