How to Fuel Young Athletes with Potatoes

This blog post is sponsored by Colorado Potatoes. All opinions are our own.

Spring sports are kicking off, which means parents will need to have snacks ready to go to fuel their little athletes for practice and games. Did you know potatoes provide the carbohydrates, potassium and energy needed to perform your best? We’ve teamed up with Colorado Potatoes to bring you some recipes and tips to incorporate potatoes into your active lifestyle.

Potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin C, a good source of potassium and Vitamin B6, and more energy-packed than any other popular vegetable. While potatoes sometimes get a bad rap thanks to potato chips and French fries, it’s important to note that a diet rich in all fruits and vegetables is key to a healthy lifestyle.

Tips for keeping little athletes fueled:

• Hydration! Active kids lose water through sweating. Keep they hydrated before, during and after exercise with water.
• Snack beforehand. We all need energy to perform our best. Opt for a snack that’s high in carbohydrates (such as potatoes!) and offers a good balance of protein and fat.
• Re-fuel after exercise. Make sure to rehydrate after exercise and eat a snack that has a mix of potassium, carbohydrates and protein to restore energy levels and repair muscles.

Recipe Ideas:

• One-Dish Roasted Potatoes & Apples with Chicken Sausage: Made with only a few simple ingredients, this dish is a great post-exercise meal that’s easy to throw together after a game or practice.
• Mini Mexican Potatoes: Ready in 15 minutes, these potatoes make a great pre-or-post-exercise snack.
• Mashed Potato Chips: These crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside chips are perfectly portable for on-the-go snacking!
• Turkey-Potato Dinner Wraps: A great meal to fuel up before a big game, filled with lean ground turkey, potatoes, carrots and cheese!
• Broccoli Tater Tots: This combo of potatoes and broccoli make for a delicious and healthy snack. Bonus: these tots are freezer-friendly so you can easily have them on hand for a quick pre-game snack!
• Quick & Healthy Baked Potato Pizzas: Kids love pizza! Top baked potatoes in a healthy way with this fun idea.