Sport and recreational leagues

Food rewards are commonly used to recognize achievements. Offering food as a reward can lead children to develop an unhealthy relationship with food and eating.

Consider offering non-food rewards for a game well-played such as:

• Asking a player to be a ‘coach’s helper’ and help set up the field or court next time.
• Providing verbal praise.
• Giving high-fives.
• Providing positive recognition
• Stickers
• Creating a celebratory team dance or chant

Celebrations like end-of-year parties can be great team-building and social experiences.

At celebrations and barbecues, aim to include foods and beverages from Canada’s Food Guide to give everyone lasting energy.

If offering a snack, consider:

• Whole, fresh fruit
• Frozen (thawed) fruit with yogurt
• Fruit smoothies made with frozen fruit and yogurt
• Plain, air-popped popcorn
• Whole-grain cereal bars (not coated in yogurt or chocolate)
• Fresh veggies and hummus
• Whole-grain crackers with cheese
• Plain tap water
• Tap water infused with herbs, fruit, or veggies such as strawberries and cucumber
• Plain milk
• Unsweetened, fortified soy beverage

If offering a meal, consider:

• Baked beans
• Chili with vegetables, lean meat, chickpeas, and beans
• Sandwiches with whole-grain bread, vegetables and lean, unprocessed meats
• Grilled burgers with chicken, turkey, lean beef, or pork
• Salads like mixed bean salad, pasta salad with vegetables and cubed cheese, or quinoa salad with chickpeas and vegetables
• Plain tap water
• Plain tap water infused with herbs, fruits or veggies such as strawberries and cucumber
• Plain milk
• Unsweetened, fortified soy beverage

Health Canada recommends limiting children’s exposure to food marketing.

Food and beverage marketing can greatly influence children’s food preferences, purchase requests, and choices.

Sports-related food marketing can occur through a variety of ways, including:

• Sponsorship of sports teams or sporting events
• Foods and beverages served at special events or used for fundraising
• Promotional signs around the facility

To limit children’s exposure to food and beverage marketing, consider requesting local non-food businesses to act as team sponsors. If businesses cannot provide a financial contribution, they could consider offering a small discount on their product or service to league members.

If food and beverage companies want to act as a sponsor, ask if they can contribute financially without your league displaying their logo (e.g., on players’ shirts). Instead, show appreciation for these contributions in an email to parents.

Use your fundraisers as an opportunity to provide children with exposure to foods found in Canada’s Food Guide by selling:

• Whole fruit
• Cheese
• Dried pasta
• Locally available produce
• Food items that are culturally relevant and meaningful to the community.

You could also plan a fundraiser that does not involve food, such as:

• 50/50 draw or bingo night
• Recycling drive
• Calendar sale
• Plant or flower sale
• Gift wrap or stationary sale
• Flea market or garage sale
• Walk-a-thon or car wash