Unless sport is being played intensively or at a professional level, normal athletic activities do not require any particular nutrients if the daily diet is adequate and well-balanced. In addition, on active days like other days, the best way to ensure you have the energy resources necessary for physical activity is to stick to your regular schedule of balanced meals, including breakfast and an afternoon snack.
A “small” meal, but a meal in its own right, an afternoon snack should account for 10-15% of our daily nutritional requirements on its own. Its major function is to supply the energy we need in the late afternoon and, if necessary, to compensate for an unbalanced or inadequate lunch.
The sweet meal par excellence, the afternoon snack plays an important role in building up carbohydrate reserves, which are essential for staying in shape and avoiding snacking before dinner. Foods recommended for this snack, such as fruit, dairy products, cereal, grains, biscuits and drinks, also supply vitamins, minerals, calcium and fibre.
A vital need for children
Every day, a snack punctuates the child’s afternoon – at home or during recess or extracurricular activities. This pleasurable, restorative moment so typical of childhood can also serve as a get-together for adults, especially during the workday, as well as a fun meal for teens.