Nutrition for Kid Athletes

The course builds on one idea: any mover is an athlete, and athletes eat for their wellness and performance. Kids learn where the energy in their food actually comes from, why it matters for growth and sport performance, and how to build a plate that works for them.

Enroll in This Course
Grades
1st–5th grade
Tuition
$40
per class
Billed per semester, by the number of classes it holds
Format
1.5 hours weekly
after school bell
Instructor
Certified Nutrition Coach

Why is Nutrition education so important?

Nutrition is one of the few subjects that affects a child every single day, and one of the few that school rarely covers past the outdated food pyramid. We teach it as science: real experiments, real tasting, and real decisions kids make for themselves.

For Health Enthusiasts

Many people start learning about nutrition as an adult, while taste and habits are formed in the early years of life. Childhood eating habits set a trajectory for lifelong physical and mental wellness. Early diets shape adult metabolic health, prevent chronic conditions, and directly impact cognitive and emotional development.

For Athletes

Talent and training hours only take a young athlete so far. Knowing how their body turns food into fuel, and when to give it what, is the part most kids never get taught. It shows up on game day.

For Science Enthusiasts

Nutrition science is one of the most useful STEM subjects and one of the least taught. Here it's real science — digestion, metabolism, microorganisms, chemical reactions in a bowl — for the kid who wants to know why, not just what. This course can lay the foundation for science-motivated kids who go on to become biochemists or physicians focused on wellness and disease prevention.

For Everyone

We're not here to change what your family eats. We're here to give your child the understanding to make their own good decisions, now and for life. A lesson summary is sent after each class, so the whole family can learn together.

The Outcomes

  • Habits that outlast the class — kids learn to read a plate, a label and their own hunger signals, and to make good decisions.
  • Enhanced sport performance — knowing what to eat before, during and after activity, so a young athlete can fuel themselves well alongside the adults who cook for them.
  • Progress with picky eaters — trying a new food next to a friend who's also trying it works far better than trying it alone at the dinner table. We structure it as a food detective activity.

How we talk about food

We teach nutrition without teaching kids to feel bad about eating.

There is no discussion of weight, dieting, calorie counting or restriction in this course, at any grade level. No food is labeled good or bad. Cake is food; it does a different job than vegetables, and both jobs are real. Kids learn what different foods do in the body and how to build a plate that fits what their day looks like.

Disclaimer: The Future Curriculum (TFC) is an education resource. Our curriculum focuses on nutrition learning and coaching only, and is not intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any disease. Parents are advised to do their own research and consult with their healthcare provider(s) on those matters.

Tasting sessions, food safety and allergies

Tasting is a real part of this course, so here's how we handle it.

We strictly follow school food handling rules. Every ingredient we bring is listed and sent to you in advance of the lesson. We collect allergy and dietary information at enrollment, and no child is offered anything on their list. Tasting is always optional — a child can pass, and we don't make it a thing.

Course Curriculum

Unit 1Nutrition Science & The Athlete
Nutrition Science and Athletic Performance
Course kickoff, athlete identity as any mover/exerciser & nutrition science intro
The 5 Food Groups & Building a Plate
Fruits, vegetables, grains, protein & dairy, nuts & fats — simple hand portion sizing for kids
Building the Athlete's Plate by Hours of Exercise
Hands-on plate-proportion model build
Every Body Is Different
Destigmatized, positive body talk
Unit 2Macronutrients — Your Body's Fuel
Carbohydrates — Quick vs. Lasting Energy: Refined vs. Whole Grains
Grain anatomy, energy & timing of carbs for athletes
Eating the Rainbow — Fruits & Vegetables
Color variety, tasting session & new food exploration plan
Protein — Building & Repairing Muscles
Animal vs. plant protein, recovery
Fats — What They Actually Do
Unsaturated vs. saturated, why fat matters
Build a Balanced Athlete Snack
Applied macronutrient design project
Macronutrient Balance — Growing Tall and Strong
Team trivia challenge (mash-up review game)
Unit 3Micronutrients & Other Helpers
Vitamins — Your Body's Little Helpers
Vitamin roles + food sources
Minerals — Calcium, Iron & Strong Bones for Growth & Performance
Bone health, iron & energy
Micronutrient Detective
Applied sorting/matching challenge
Fiber & Gut Health
How fiber supports digestion & strategies to eat more fiber
Unit 4Labels, Media & Processed Foods
Why Food Spoils: Microorganisms — Food Safety & Hygiene
Washing, storing, and handling food
How to Read a Food Label — What's Actually In It
Serving size, ingredient order, and what the numbers are for. Kitchen scale comparison: weigh a serving vs. what you'd actually pour
Sugar Detective — All the Names for Sugar
Hunting ingredient lists for every word that means sugar: dextrose, maltose, cane juice, agave, corn syrup solids
Advertising Tricks — How Media Sells Us Food
Media literacy for food marketing
From Apple to Apple Pie — How Food Gets Processed
Levels of processing, balance not fear
Unit 5Your Fuel System
Hunger, Thirst & Energy Signals
Body awareness
Why Water Wins & Electrolytes for Athletes
Hydration basics, smart fluid choices — reading drink labels
The Journey of Food — Digestive System
Organs, path of digestion
What Is Metabolism? Fueling Growth
Metabolism basics, growth & energy use
Sleep, Rest & Energy
How sleep and rest affect energy, appetite and performance
Building Habits That Stick
Habit formation, personal goal-setting
Unit 6Fueling for Sport
Pre-Game Fuel — Eating Before Activity
Pre-activity nutrition strategy, energy storage
Fueling During Activity — Snacks & Fluids
In-game snacks & fluids, tasting session
Recovery Eating — After the Game
Post-activity protein + carb recovery
Build My Game-Day Snack Box
Applied project: planning a snack for the week
Planning a Week of Athlete Meals
Simple weekly meal/snack planning
Unit 7Mindset, Habits & Showcase
Taste Changes — Trying New Foods
Tasting session, peer modeling
Kitchen Science Fun
Exploring food reactions & healthy kid-friendly recipes
Personal Nutrition Playbook & Showcase Celebration
Prepare playbooks & bring them home to family for a showcase