Healthy team snacks are a must for players of all ages.

Yes, it takes time to pack the cooler, but having something nutritious on the sideline or in the car on the way home are way better for your child than fast, junk food.

Obviously, some of those ideas take more work than others, but there’s enough variety to find a snack that fits your lifestyle.

• Cut up fresh fruit
• Dried fruit packets
• Low-sugar, low-fat granola bars
• String cheese
• Home-made granola
• Whole-grain crackers
• Popcorn
• Trail mix
• Individual almond packets
• Beef jerky
• Carrots/celery with hummus or individually packaged carrots with ranch dressing.
• Pistachios and cashews (use snack size baggies to make individual servings)
• Sunflower seeds
• Rice cakes
• Low-sugar cereals
• Low-sugar protein bars
• Yogurt
• Crackers or bagels … opt for whole-grain versions if you can and top with peanut butter, cheese or low-fat cream cheese
• Low-fat muffins
• Hard boiled or deviled eggs
• No-bake energy bites
• Rolled up cheese and turkey slices
• Oatmeal raisin bars
• Pretzels
• Mini-bagels with honey, peanut butter or cream cheese

Janis B. Meredith, sports mom and coach's wife, writes a sports parenting blog called JBM Thinks. She authored the Sports Parenting Survival Guide Series and has a podcasting series for sports parents. You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter.