You want to fuel a young athlete, but every “healthy” meal turns into a standoff. We’ve been there—and we found a simple way through it by turning control into collaboration. Instead of forcing clean plates, we start by asking our kids what they actually want to eat and what they’re training for, then invite them to help find recipes online. That small shift—from dictating to involving—changes everything. When they choose, they try. When they try, they learn. And when they learn, better food becomes part of their identity, not a rule to dodge. We break down a practical system you can use tonight: swap juice for whole fruit so fiber can slow the sugar rush and support gut health; keep oranges, strawberries, melon, and carrots on repeat because they’re hydrating, portable, and kid-approved; and build meals around clean proteins that cut down on unnecessary additives and antibiotics. If your family eats meat, choosing grass-fed or organic where possible can improve flavor and texture while supporting recovery. We stick to familiar formats—tacos, bowls, sheet-pan dinners—so nutrition fits your schedule, not the other way around. Cost and consistency matter, too. We talk through buying fruit in bulk, shopping seasonal produce, using less but better meat, and reducing packaged snacks that drain budgets and energy. Most importantly, we show how engagement is the secret performance enhancer: have your child pick one new recipe each week and help prep, then track simple signals like practice energy, focus after school, and hunger patterns. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s a repeatable routine that your kid actually likes. If you’re ready to turn picky eating into purposeful fueling, press play—then tell us what recipe your athlete wants to try next. Subscribe, share with a fellow sports parent, and leave a review to help more families build smart, kid-powered nutrition. • framing the picky athlete challenge • involving kids in choosing and researching recipes • cutting obvious junk and spotting real taste preferences • prioritising whole fruit for fiber and vitamin C • go-to options: oranges, strawberries, melon, carrots • selecting higher-quality meats to reduce additives and antibiotics • balancing cost with preventative benefits and consistency About This Podcast It takes a village to raise a pro athlete. For the first time ever this channel takes you behind the athlete’s ‘unspoken’ road what it really takes to raise athletes. What to expect when you listen: Real, Raw Truth Laughter The Struggles & Successes ABOUT YOUR HOST: Marina Kuperman Villatoro, a mama who is on a mission to help her sons reach their athletic (rock climbing) goals and dreams. Connect and be Part of the Strategic Village SIGN UP FOR THE LATEST UNCENSORED HACKS and TIPS https://raisingproathletes.com/sign-up/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/raisingproathletes/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@raisingproathletes YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@raisingproathletes Website - https://raisingproathletes.com/
