Have A Ball With Healthier Food Options At Comerica Park

By: Grace Derocha, registered dietitian and health & wellness coach at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Baseball season is finally here, and Detroit Tigers fans are ready. If you plan to head to Comerica Park to root for the home team, it's important to keep your family's health in mind.

If you've been to baseball games in the past, you've come to expect the classic ballpark foods, like hot dogs, burgers and pizza. But this year Tigers fans can expect to see even more temptations on the menu:

• The "mac daddy dog" is mac and cheese and bacon on top of a hot dog and bun. This choice can have around 700-800 calories.
• The pork rind nachos are like nachos, but instead of tortilla chips, the pork rinds are the vehicle to hold all the toppings of traditional nachos. This could have upwards of 500 calories depending on portion size.
• If dessert is your favorite, watch out for the deep-fried Oreos, which have almost 900 calories in just five of these snacks.

Treating yourself to some ballpark food in moderation can be fun, as long as you're aware of the damage overindulging can have on your waistline and health.

The amount of calories each person have each day varies depending on how active you are, but it generally ranges from 1,600 to 3,000 calories. So if you grab yourself a mac daddy dog and a handful of deep-friend Oreos, you may already be at your daily limit.

Want to make a healthier choice? Here are some tips:

• Eat a healthy meal beforehand so you don't overindulge at the game.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Try healthier food alternatives. Comerica Park has several lower-calorie options that can add more vitamins, minerals and fiber into your day. Here are some things to look out for:
  • Chicken fajita wrap
  • Chicken stir fry
  • Fresh salad
  • Fresh-cut fruit and yogurt
  • Grilled chicken sandwich/wrap
  • Gyros with grilled vegetables
  • Hummus plate
  • Street tacos
  • Sushi
  • Veggie pizza
  • Veggie stir fry
• Split food with family to keep your portions in check.
• If you're having a beer, try light beer options.
• Balance those extra calories with some exercise:
  • Plan ahead to squeeze in a workout before the game.
  • Park the car further to get some extra steps in and save on parking fees.
  • Take the family on a couple laps around the venue before you settle into your seats.
  • Breakup the monotony of sitting by going for a little walk during the game.
  • Try some fun, simple exercises to keep you focused on the game and active. As a family, pick a number ahead of time to plan how many of these exercises you will actually do. You can even make up which exercises you will do for each category. Here is an example:
    • Every time someone gets to first base, do some high knees. For example, if the family picked the number eight for repetitions, then everyone will do eight high knee marches on each leg.
    • Every time someone gets to second base, touch your toes eight times. Reach high in the air with two hands and then bend down to touch your toes.
    • Every time a player gets to third base, twist it out. Stand with your feet hip width apart and place your hands on your hips and twist from side to side, eight times.
    • Any time someone gets a home run or crosses home plate, do eight jumping jacks.

In no time, you will have fans sitting by you doing it too.

While ballparks may be infamous for unhealthy eats, it doesn't mean you can't make it a healthy outing. Set a good example for your family by making healthier food choices and staying active.

Have fun and GO TIGERS!