More and more teens are participating in organized sports, from soccer to track to football. While joining a team can be a great way to exercise and socialize with others, some parents worry about how to prepare young athletes for sports.

One question centers on the use of sports drinks and other supplements. Are these just for

professional athletes, or can teens benefit from them as well?

Here are some simple guidelines that should help:

• All athletes need to replenish fluids especially teens, who are more sensitive to fluid loss than adults. Teens should drink water before, during and after activities.

• Think about what your teen drinks. Sports drinks are designed to replace energy and fluids used during extended periods of exercise (longer than 90 minutes). The high amount of sugar found in sports drinks can lead to cavities if a child drinks these too often, so limit their use.

• Teens rarely need vitamin and mineral supplements. In fact, using supplements may

give teen athletes a false sense of confidence and that can be costly. A well-balanced diet is a healthier choice. Parents should stress eating the proper amount of foods from each part of the food pyramid rather than allowing teens to rely on supplements.