Nutrition

A variety of sports require intense exertion for periods of 4 to 10 minutes or longer. The 1,500 meter run, wrestling matches, middle-distance swimming events, and rowing contests all demand maximum effort without rest. Here are some tips on what your child should eat and drink in the days leading up to the event.

If your child is playing stop-and-go sports (basketball, football, volleyball, hockey etc.) or participating in short-duration events (gymnastics, sprints to middle distances in track etc.), here's are some tips on what he should eat and drink on the day of competition.

What should your child eat in the days before competing in stop-and-go sports such as soccer, basketball, or football? Here's some advice from nutritionist Suzanne Nelson.

A great first step to a healthier family is to include 5 to 9 servings of fruit and vegetables each day. A healthier family is also on the move, so include at least 30 minutes of moderate activity everyday, such as walking. These simple changes are easier than you think and help to improve your entire family's health.

Many parents are confused about the right foods and fluids to give their kids who play sports.

Advice to parents in evaluating whether their child is eating the kind of diet that is best for peak athletic performance.

Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are nutrient-based reference values that expand and replace the Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs).

How many grams of protein should your young athlete consume every day?

There is an epidemic of overweight kids - and you don't have to read the newspaper or watch the news to find that out. Just take a look at kids at the mall or in the schoolyard. You can also see a shortage of kids outside playing, biking or running. What can parents do to make sure their kids are not part of the statistics? Here are some answers from Bridget Swinney, author of "Healthy Food for Healthy Kids" (Meadowbrook Press).