Snacks to bring to the next soccer practice

Our pick for team snack duty is a mandarin or an apple pouch. We'd buy enough for every player, add a couple of extras, and keep the whole thing manageable enough to fit into a normal grocery run.

GoGo squeeZ Organic Apple Apple is a practical packaged option. It has no added sugar and doesn't need refrigeration before opening, so you can carry it through practice without a cooler. GoGo squeeZ ingredients and nutrition facts.

We like mandarins for the same occasion because they're already divided into individual portions. Bananas work, too, if they're popular with your team. This probably isn't the moment to introduce a snack your own child has never tried.

Before shopping, confirm the headcount with the coach. Ask whether siblings are included and when the team expects to eat. For children with allergies, agree on the exact product with their parent or caregiver, and keep the packaging so they can check it. A familiar brand can change its ingredients. FDA advice on food allergies.

We'd bring water and leave families to decide whether their child needs anything more. For activity lasting less than an hour, water is generally sufficient. Young children doing light activity for an hour or less may not need snacks both before and after. AAP sports nutrition guidance.

When comparing multipacks, work out the price per snack, then check what you'll actually spend. Buying a huge box to save a few cents per pouch only makes sense if you'll use the rest.

For 12 confirmed players, we'd bring 14 portions and a bag for the rubbish. Keep the extras aside until everyone has been offered one.