UnTapped is trusted by leading athletes to deliver performance nutrition using real food and simple ingredients. But those same qualities also make UnTapped a great choice for parents who want to give kids a natural way to fuel up for youth sports, outdoor adventures, and other activities. Below, UnTapped co-founder Ted King and his wife Laura (both pro cyclists) share their tips on keeping kids naturally fueled, happy, and ready for adventure. 

“Our kids move — a lot,” explained Laura. “When they’re playing, riding, hiking, or otherwise active, they often don’t notice they’re hungry until they’re REALLY hungry. By then, their energy can fall off a cliff and emotions can get very big. Most parents know exactly what that looks like!

“I know there’s a lot of concern about sugar spikes and crashes, but the body uses carbohydrates differently during activity than it does at rest. Active muscles readily use glucose for energy, helping kids replenish what they’re burning and keep going.” 

“During sustained activity, easily digestible carbohydrates aren’t something I fear; they’re a practical source of fuel,” continued Laura.

“What matters to me is choosing simple, recognizable ingredients and giving my kids an amount that makes sense for what they’re doing. That’s why I’m comfortable fueling them with all UnTapped’s product line.”

Ted sees things the same way. “I’ve always been the kind of guy who flips over a package of food and checks out the ingredient list. Looking at food through the eyes of a parent has only made me pay even closer attention. 

“There are so many ultra-processed ingredients, added flavors, and other additives hiding in plain sight in nearly all food, but especially what’s marketed to kids. The difference between maple syrup and corn syrup is night and day. One is a categorical superfood; the other is basically poison.

“My kids don’t drink soda, but they’re always welcome to drink Mapleaid. The corn syrup in soda, and so much other food, is poisoning kids. My kids can have maple syrup anytime they want to deliver energy for their action-packed days.”

“I feel so good about giving my kids UnTapped. They love the Waffles, especially Maple and Cocoa, and whenever we’re hiking or out for a long day, they think it’s pretty fun to squeeze back a packet of pure maple syrup,” said Ted 

“It’s simple, tastes great, and gives them the energy they need to keep exploring.

“Like Laura mentioned, any parent knows the signs when kids have gone too long without eating. Energy disappears, patience runs thin, and everything suddenly feels like a really big deal. Keeping simple, real food on hand helps us stay ahead of that, especially because our family is always on the move.

“Truthfully, I’m pretty sure there’s maple syrup in something my kids eat every single day, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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