“A fit body, a calm mind, & a house full of love. These things cannot be bought – they must be earned.”

Today, I am featuring sports nutrition for young children...the future of a nation. I am suggesting whether, it is time to reinvent the mid meal policy, & to convert it into an athletic nutrition for children?

Nutrition is an important part of child’s performance, including developing a potential young athlete, for their optimal growth & development. Is there a need for a pivot from current mid day meal composition, & include sports nutrition, as part of this meal?

Can we integrate mid day meals with a holistic approach for young kids particularly in rural settings, as future athletes which includes nutrition, fitness, mind therapy plays an important role in their growth, physical development and performance.

A young athlete’s holistic meal plan could include right diet along with the right amount of macro-nutrients (carbohydrates, fat and protein), micro-nutrients (vitamins and minerals), antioxidants and fluids which are essential in providing energy for growth, stamina and performance.

An imbalance between sport and nutrition requirements in the age group of 12 to 18 often results in children falling out of sports, due to inadequate calorie intake, injuries or energy burnout during training sessions.

Thus, it is very important to counsel young children on what foods are good for energy, when to eat certain foods, how to eat during a competition, before and after training sports nutrition, focusing on good hydration and the importance of sleeping well.

Can promoting athletic training & sports nutrition in mid day meals for young children, be a bold new nutrition policy to replace sugary sodas, fast food, & lethargy?