Summer is the perfect time to go to a baseball game. Some people really love the game of baseball and others may just look forward to the ballpark food. Whenever you go to a stadium or ballpark, the delicious smell of popcorn, hot dogs, and cotton candy surrounds you. There are so many options, but what’s the healthiest thing to eat?

You might be thinking, “Do I really need to worry about what I eat when I go to a game?”.  If you don’t go to baseball games or other sporting events very often, then you probably don’t need to worry too much about what you eat at the stadium. People love ballpark food because it tastes good. For that matter, food is never something that you should feel guilty about enjoying. As a teenager or young adult, there shouldn’t be any foods that are totally off-limits. However, cotton candy and nachos provide little to no nutritional value, and most of the options at ballparks are high in sugar, salt, and fat.

The first thing to keep in mind is not what you eat, but how much you eat. No matter what food you choose, it’s important to eat a healthy amount. You should wait until you’re a little bit hungry to eat (you’ll enjoy the food more if you do!) and eat until you’re satisfied, but not uncomfortably full or stuffed. Pay attention to your hunger and fullness cues when you’re eating at the ballpark to make sure you’re not overeating.

We should all try to get in a balance of healthy foods every day (whole grains, proteins, dairy, fruits, veggies, and healthy fats). Unfortunately, most ballpark foods don’t fall into these healthy food groups, so just do the best you can. A grilled chicken sandwich is a source of lean protein, which is healthier than a hot dog or a sausage sub. Even though ballpark popcorn is loaded with fat and salt, popcorn is a whole grain, so it’s still a healthier choice than fries. Peanuts are a great source of healthy fat and are usually one of the healthiest options at the ballpark. If you happen to find a fruit or a veggie on the menu, even better!

Although you shouldn’t totally throw your healthy eating habits out the window when you go to baseball games, why not treat yourself to at least one thing you really want every once in a while?

-Brooke, CYWH Summer Volunteer