We men love sports so much that we often go watch them live. Going to a sporting event lets us cheer for our favorite teams and spend some quality time with our buddies. Unfortunately, stadiums and arenas aren’t exactly known for offering the healthiest foods; that plate of nachos or giant bag of buttery popcorn is not beneficial to your diet. Although it isn’t easy to make healthy choices at sporting events, it’s very much possible. If you have tickets to an upcoming sporting event, here are some tips to ensure you watch the game without guilt.
Go With the Right Friends
If you want to avoid completely ruining your diet during a sporting event, you have to go with the right friends. Although the friend who pressures you to get another drink or eat a foot-long hot dog may be fun, he can make you sabotage your diet. Try to get a gang together who understands that you’re trying to eat healthier and won’t make you damage your diet.
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Eat a Snack Before You Go
The biggest mistake you could make is going to a sporting event on an empty stomach. It will be really difficult to make good choices when you are starving and surrounded by junk food. Before you go to the sporting event, have a healthy snack like a men’s whey protein shake; a protein shake will fill you up and provide your body with muscle-building ingredients for optimum growth. If you eat something before the game, you won’t be as tempted to buy a greasy hot dog or buttery bag of popcorn – you’ll save calories AND money.
Pick the Right Foods
Although there are a lot of unhealthy choices at the concession stands at sporting events, there are also some nutritious options. For example, instead of drinking a soda at the game, opt for a bottle of water. Instead of choosing to eat a jumbo pretzel, consider getting a fruit salad. You should be able to find healthy options in at least one stand at the stadium. If you need help, you can always ask the customer service desk.
Skip the Alcohol
Drinking a beer at the game might be enjoyable, but it is not good for a diet at all. Alcoholic beverages are filled with empty calories and offer little nutritional value. If you must drink alcohol during the game, opt for a light beer. Otherwise, water is your best choice since it’s calorie-free and will rehydrate you. “9 Hydration Tips” offers other tips to help you stay hydrated at the game and elsewhere.
Walk Around the Arena
If you decide to indulge a little at the game, walk around the arena during halftime and other intermissions to burn off some calories. If you take a few short walks during the game, the plate of nachos you ate might not make you feel so guilty. If this isn’t an option, you could always hit the gym after the game to work off those peanuts and cracker jacks.
