Having many friends and family members who are regulars at Yankee Stadium during baseball season gave me the idea to write about the various new improvements, both healthy and unhealthy, at the new Yankee Stadium. Don’t worry! The traditional ball park favorites are still there. You’ll still hear the shouts from the Peanut man, but now also from the Ice Cream man (selling pints of Turkey Hill Ice Cream; Original Vanilla 560 calories per pint).
Traditional favorites such as Carvel Ice Cream in baseball caps and Hebrew National hot dog stands can still be found around the stadium. A few of the interesting additions are a Boar’s Head made-to-order deli sandwich station, Johnny Rockets, Moe’s Southwest Grill, and a Japanese stand serving sushi and noodles in Chinese take-out containers.
The various food stands are now complying with NYC’s mandate to post caloric information on their menus. Although this does not stop many people from treating themselves at the ball game, it does increase awareness by 100%!
Another great advance is Melissa’s, a traditional “farmers market”, carrying fresh fruits and vegetables, with no wait guaranteed.
Most of the food, although it may seem healthy, is most assuredly NOT healthy. The New York Times Restaurants Review of Yankee Stadium suggests trying “the best single food item in the entire stadium” which is Lobel’s USDA dry-aged sliced-steak sandwich on a house-made bun, a very UNHEALTHY option!
The majority of the options on the menu are over 1,000 calories per serving! Here are a few of the calorie counts on ball park favorites.
New York Pretzel: 630 calories
Nathan’s Hot Dog: 320 calories
Regular cheese nachos: 1,500 calories Carvel Ice Cream Helmet Cups: 550-590 calories
Instead of these calorie dense snacks, try a snack from Melissa’s delicious fruit stand, or a sandwich, soup, or salad from Boar’s Head Deli. Another idea is to encourage kids to try the Kid’s Cart. Here you can find smaller sized hot dogs and PB&J sandwiches.
One of the most deceiving snacks is popcorn. At home, popcorn is an extremely healthy and filling snack. Do not be fooled; stadium popcorn is very unhealthy. At baseball parks (and movie theaters), popcorn often has over 2,000 calories, due to the ridiculous serving size, the oil in which it is fried, and the added butter. At Yankee Stadium, a Jumbo Popcorn is 1,484 calories and a Souvenir bucket of popcorn is 2,473 calories. Yikes!
Although the majority of the food offered at the new Yankee stadium is very high in calories, the posting of the caloric and improvements makes it easier for you and your family to make healthy choices when entering the ball park.
~ The Bottom Line ~
The healthiest options you can choose at the ball park for you and your family are:
· Kozy Shack pudding from the Kids Kart: 140 calories
· Chef salad with turkey and cheddar: 241 calories
· California sushi roll: 255 calories
· Veggie sushi roll: 160 calories
· Edamame: 100 calories
· Nathan’s natural casing hot dog: 297 calories
· Any selection from Melissa’s Farmers Market Stand
~ What might surprise you ~
· Baked ziti: 720 calories
· Chicken tenders and fries: 810 calories
· Chicken parmesan sub: 819 calories
· Tofu pan fried noodle bowl: 600 calories
· Onion rings: 790 calories
· Moe’s nachos: 880 calories
· Nathan’s crinkle-cut fries 1236 calories
· Bazzini peanuts: 1190 calories
Hopefully now you’ll think twice about what you and your family snack on during the game. A great way to keep your body (and your wallet) healthy at the ballpark is to pack your own snacks. This way, you’ll know in advance that you’re guaranteed a healthy and enjoyable snack for between innings.
Before the game, you should plan which snack you’re going to indulge in using this guide.
Always choose the smaller portion size for all treats at the ball park. The foot-long Hebrew National hot dog is 510 calories; you can save about 200 calories by having the regular sized one.
Lastly, don’t rush to a decision. Because of the numerous options and vendors spread across the stadium, you do not have to worry about long lines. This gives you more time to think about what you and you’re family are eating, and make the healthiest and smartest choice possible.
Check out this link to the ball park for more healthy food choices!
