Yesterday was Opening Day for Major League Baseball, which is always one of my favorite times of the year. Plus with the Sweet 16 kicking off for the NCAA basketball tournament, it’s a great time to be a sports fan.
I’m a big baseball fan, and there’s nothing like heading out to the ballpark to root, root, root for the home team! I love getting a beer, a hot dog, and a bag of peanuts and taking in the experience of seeing my favorite team live.
However, if you’re on a diet, it can seem like there isn’t any way to go out to the park and stay true to your diet. However, if you follow the tips below, you can still chow down to your heart’s desire without any of the guilt.
Eating Healthy at a Baseball Game
With a little bit of planning, you can fill your belly at the ballpark while still avoiding all of the greasy food options that tend to litter the concourse. The first step in the planning is to eat before you go to the game. If you’re starving when you get there, you’re going to head straight to the nearest concession stand and give in to your cravings.
Consider eating something that is full of protein and fiber before the game, as these will make you feel full much more quickly and for a longer period of time.
Another thing you can do is take an appetite suppressing diet pill (like this one) that can help to curb your hunger.
Along with watching what you eat, you will also want to be cognizant of how much you are drinking. I have written on this site earlier about how drinking water before a meal can help you feel full so you don’t overeat. In the same manner, making sure you are properly hydrated can help you avoid wanting to get a brew from the nearest brew vendor. This way you’ll avoid drinking your calories.
As for healthy options when you get to the ballpark, one of my favorites is a bag of peanuts. Peanuts (and most any kind of nut, for that matter) are a tremendous source of protein and fiber. Plus, the process of having to crack them out of the shell makes it a bit more of a task, making it less likely that you’ll overeat this snack.
As a general rule, stay away from the fried foods, no matter how appetizing they look. This is really hard to do as so many ballparks are seeing the revenue potential of presenting so many new and different food options at their venue, but try to resist the temptation to try out the new menu items.
All in all, however, one day of cheating on your diet and eating what you want won’t derail your path to success. It’s all about being consistent with your plan, so as long as you get right back on track after the game, don’t feel too guilty about indulging yourself while enjoying America’s favorite pastime.
About Shaun Hudson
Shaun Hudson loves sports, being outdoors, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. After many unsuccessful attempts to lose weight, he finally was able to drop 25 pounds and keep it off. The secret? He kept a journal of his activity, diet, and daily life. That journal changed his life, and has since evolved into this website. Read his full bio.