Healthy Home Run

Major League baseball stadiums across the nation are making big changes to accomodate the new health concious consumer! Now healthier food choices like sushi, all-natural fruit smoothies, deli sandwiches, and turkey burgers have joined the iconic baseball game menu of hotdogs, crackerjacks, and peanuts. Some ballparks like Yankee Stadium have gone as far as posting calorie counts next to menu items. Now a trip to the stadium to see your favorite team play, doesn’t mean a strikout for your diet! AmericanProfile.com provides us with a list of the Top 10 Best Ballparks for Healthy Eating:

1. Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg

2. Wrigley Field, Chicago

3. Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia

4. Coors Field, Denver

5. Safeco Field, Seattle

6. Yankee Stadium, New york (Go Yankees!)

7. AT&T Park, San Francisco

8. Great American Ballpark, Cincinnati

9. Miller Park, Milwaukee

10. Target Field, Minneapolis

If your city’s stadium didn’t make the list, try going to its website and looking at menu options beforehand. Make a list of possible choices and then get their calorie count at NutritionData.com. For some, a trip to a baseball game is a great excuse to break those healthy eating habits….and that is perfectly fine! Indulging once in a while is part of a balanced diet, BUT I can help you avoid those extra calories and an extra hour at the gym the next day by making better choices. Let me provide you with healthier options to those iconic baseball foods!

Debating between a box of Cracker Jacks or roasted peanuts? Go for the Cracker Jacks, the box provides portion control, and even though the popcorn is caramel coated you still get whole grains. According to SELF.com a cracker jacks box contains 2 grams of fat and 120 calories compared to the 863 calories that a cup of roasted peanuts contains. You also get a prize in the box! Roasted peanuts don’t come with anything but the extra calories!

Craving one of those delicious hot dogs, try opting for the kosher frank which has less calories than the normal frank. (320 calories)

All of the major league stadiums also provide consumers with vegetarian options and some even offer vegan options. AT&T Park at San Francisco even has a farmers market at its Ferry Plaza, which offers fresh fruit and veggies.

A baseball game is also associated with enjoying and ice-cold beer! Having a beer (or two) shouldn’t throw all that healthy eating a curveball! Even though beer is known for its calories, there are great options to keep the calorie count low and your tatebuds satisfied! WomansDay.com provides a list of calorie-friendly beers that still pack a punch and can be enjoyed without the guilt.

1. Amstel Light (95 cal/5 g carbs): An Amsterdam native, one of the top imported beers in the U.S.

2. Beck’s Premier Light (64 cal/3.9 g carbs): German ale, has the fewest calories of the bunch

3. Budweiser Select (99 cal/3.9 g carbs): Has 1/2 of the carbs of Bud Light

4. Coors Light (102 cal/5 g carbs): The Coors Brewing Co. sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains in Colorado, the freshest waters are used in its brews

5. Corona Light (99 cal/ 5 g carbs): Mexican “cerveza”

6. Heineken Premium Light (99 cal/ 6.8 g carbs)

7. Miller Chill (110 cal/ 6.5 g carbs): Inspired by the Mexican “chelada”

8. Miller Lite (96 cal/ 3.2 g carbs): 1st mainstream light beer

9. O’douls (65 cal/13.3 g carbs): Alcohol free

10. Sam Adams Light (119 cal/9.6 g carbs)

Remember to drink in moderation! Moderate alcohol consumption is one 12 oz. beer a day for women and two for men. If in moderation, beer is actually associated with some health benefits. This might be hard to believe since it usually has a bad rap, but beer contains fiber! Who knew?! A 12 oz.  brew contains about 1 gram of fiber. Some beers also contain B-vitamins, calcium, magnesium, and selenium. Hope all these tips help you have a helathier trip to the stadium, so that everyone can go home a winner!

Get healthy, get educated, get active!

Gooooooo YANKEES!!!!!

-Mariana Covarrubias