Snack Foods For Ice Skating

You can easily burn a lot of calories when you take to the ice -- up to 511 calories an hour for the averaged sized adult. Because of high energy consumption and physical activity in a cooler temperature setting, staying fueled up is important.

Protein

One important element in choosing snack foods is to give your body enough energy to sustain physical activity. Protein fuels your body -- especially when ice skating. Choose protein foods that are lean and low in cholesterol. Many protein foods, including beef and eggs, are high in calories or cholesterol. Beef jerky is an example of a snack that provides, on average, 11 g of protein. Choose brands lower in sodium to prevent excess water retention. Nuts are a good source of protein. If engaging in high physical activity such as ice skating, calories shouldn't be a problem because most nuts contain unsaturated or good fats. Healthy nuts include walnuts, almonds and pistachios because they are loaded with fiber, omega 3 fatty acids, plant sterols and vitamin E -- all essential substances that keep you and your heart healthy. Nuts are mobile snacks that easily fit into your pockets -- perfect for ice skating.

Grains

Choosing snacks that are rich in grains -- especially whole grains -- allow you to eat healthy while skating. Grains are beneficial for ice skaters because they are high in fiber and provide many of the B vitamins you need such as thiamin, folate and niacin. Whole grains are also a good source of magnesium and iron. Magnesium helps maintain bone and heart health while iron carries oxygen into the muscles, providing the energy and support needed for skating. Examples of whole grains include popcorn, whole wheat bread and oatmeal based granola bars.

Low-Fat Dairy

Consuming low-fat dairy supports bone health. Getting enough calcium day to day, especially with snacks, may help reduce your risk of injury when skating by strengthening bone mass. Calcium builds strong bones and helps resist breakage. Milk products also contain vitamin D and potassium, which are needed to regulate blood pressure and maintain good health. Low-fat cheese, reduced fat chocolate milk, pudding and fat-free yogurt are snacks that are easy to break for when skating.

Fruits and Vegetables

Fruits and vegetables are essential for health and offer a convenient way to snack while ice skating. Fruits and vegetables can be cooked and prepared several ways, but eating them raw is a good snack alternative to processed, sugar laden foods. For your next skating trip, pack up fresh baby carrots, raisins, celery, apples, cucumber slices and mandarins, and store them in small containers for portability while at the rink.