Summer is approaching and that means baseball season! Many of us love going to baseball games, but the experience isn’t quite complete without snacking on ballpark food! Many stadiums offer more healthy options now more than ever! By choosing to eat more nutrient-rich foods, you will provide your body with sustainable energy so you can cheer your team on for the entire game. Here are 5 tips to make smart food choices at the ballpark:

1. Go light on the beer and soda – Drinking a 32-ounce beer or soda can cause uncomfortable feelings of fullness and bloating throughout the game. Plus, consuming 32-ounces of beer or soda can add 300-400 calories to your daily intake! Try getting a smaller size or grab water to stay hydrated. You could even bring your own water bottle to refill at the fountains.
2. Swap fried chicken for grilled chicken – Many ballparks offer fried foods such as chicken tenders which are loaded with extra calories. Instead, try ordering a grilled chicken sandwich! Limit heavy condiments like mayo and creamy salad dressings. Lighter topping choices include onions, pickles, tomatoes, lettuce, ketchup and mustard.
3. Share popcorn with a friend – Skip the fancy flavored popcorns and go with the basics to cut our added sugar and sodium! Try not to add extra butter, just go with what they give ya! And if you want to avoid eating the entire bag, you could even share it with a friend!
4. Snack on shelled peanuts! Just watch your portion sizes – Ballparks are filled with the sweet smell of sugar-coated almonds (my fav!), cashews, peanuts, and walnuts. Although tempting, the added sugar can lead to a crash in your energy levels making you feel sluggish. Try snacking on shelled peanuts instead. Shelled peanuts are packed with protein and healthy fats that will sustain your energy levels. Although peanuts are nutritious, they are high in calories. Remember to keep your portion sizes in mind! One serving of unshelled peanuts is ¼ cup which is a very little amount. One bag of nuts could have more than triple the recommended serving size.
5. Want a hot dog? Load it with veggies! A hot dog can actually be a more nutritious choice than you probably thought. Hot dogs are high in protein (from the dog) and carbohydrates (from the bun) both of which will provide your body with energy. Skip the chili cheese dog and order a plain hot dog or turkey dog! Choose toppings like onions, jalapenos, lettuce, ketchup and mustard to keep your calories in check.