Haskell, W. L., Spiller, G., Bolen, K., Schultz, L., Bratcher, K., Miller, B., & Myll, J. (2002). The effects of two pre-event snacks in young soccer players playing a soccer match. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(5), Supplement abstract 1310.

Two pre-event snacks, a raisin-peanut mix and a bagel with lemonade, were compared for effects on young (10-12 yr) soccer players (boys = 7; girls = 7).

During a match, mean heart rate and number of steps were similar in both conditions. Post-game glucose and insulin, but not lactic acid, were lower for the raisin-peanut mix condition than the bagel-lemonade condition.

Implication. Raisins combined with the protein and fat of peanuts appears to result in a desirable insulin and glucose level after vigorous physical activity in young soccer players. Raisins plus peanuts is an acceptable pre-game snack for children.

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