I promised to pitch (see what I did there?) some suggestions on what to pack in that soft cooler when you head to the yard. My aim is to get you through batting practice and 9 innings. You go into extras, you’re on your own.
I’m assuming you’re headed to a night game, but you can always hit me up for day game tweaks in the comments section below.
First things first, eat before you get to the ballpark, please. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are non-negotiable. When you arrive, you’re surrounded by familiar smells and have those nostalgic emotions running through your veins. You’ll be in a weakened state, and I can’t have you starving on your way to your seats. If you are, you’ll inevitably make poor decisions.
Water is always your friend, but in this case, it’s immeasurably important. You’re going to be spending 6 or 7 hours in the heat and sun, and dehydration is your enemy. Pack 3 bottles, minimum. Otherwise, expect to succumb to that siren call of “Ice cold beya!”
Batting practice will be a thing of beauty and begins around the time (4:00ish) the gates to the ballpark swing open. When you excitedly peer into the cage, your boys will be spitting seeds. This will be tempting. Lucky for you, sunflower seeds are healthy. Pack these in your bag, and don’t stress how many you eat. This isn’t the day to count calories; it’s a special occasion. Focus on quality, not quantity, and you’ll leave feeling confident.
When the boys head back to the clubhouse to prepare for the game, they’ll hit the fruit and veggie table in the food room. I remember coming off the field, sweating from the work and the heat. Sliced melon looked like cold, overgrown jujubes and tasted monumentally better. Take your cue from the guys who do this every day, and pack a large Ziploc with honeydew, cantaloupe and watermelon.
Game time is at 7; this is your moment of truth. In the past, you regularly hit the concession stand at 6:45 to load up with a dog, pizza or nachos.
Now, the 6 oz filet cooked on your grill at noon today, seasoned with sea salt, fresh black pepper and cooked medium rare plus will do quite splendidly in place of the dog. You planned ahead and wrapped it tightly in foil, retaining some of the heat and all of the juices. I’m beyond proud that you also prepared mashed sweet potatoes with grass fed butter and cinnamon and captured them in a small Tupperware container. After the anthem, dig in; I know you remembered your spork, steak knife and camping plate.
It’s the seventh inning, and the team with the white pants is up 2-1. Here comes ice cream guy to capitalize on your anxiety. I love that you let your friend eat the Carnation with the wooden spoon, knowing you’ve got bigger plans. Go ahead and pull out your secret weapon, organic Greek yogurt with blueberries. She looks at you like you’re psycho as you add your final piece of trash back in your soft cooler.
Just to recap, your pre-packed cooler contained:
- 3 bottles of water
- Sunflower seeds
- Bag of assorted melon
- 6 ounce filet
- Mashed sweet potatoes
- Greek yogurt
- Blueberries
- Spork, steak knife, camping plate
Your friend ate:
- Crackerjacks during BP
- A ridiculously big Coke pregame
- 2 Beers during the game
- 2 hot dogs
- Popcorn
- Ice Cream
You win and so does your team. Your closer just painted strike three and ended the game. Can’t help you with the traffic. You should have taken your skateboard.
Kap
Good suggestions…but…Go Phillies!
I appreciate that loyalty. Thanks, Pat.
This sounds terrific, but I would make one small change. I will be substituting grapes for the honeydew, because of the super nutritional and scientific reason of I don’t like honeydew very much. Science. Have a great day!
Love it, Brian. Keep bringing that data.
Kap
That menu could work for a day on the couch too…..
Works whenever, wherever.
Mike says
Sounds good but you can’t bring food or drink into Fenway.
Lynne says
Yep, came here to post the same reply. This is way more difficult than you make it seem in this post. Also, at Fenway you are only allowed one water bottle (better than nothing, but can’t bring in 3).
It would be great to get some intel on what to eat at the ballpark that’s actually served there that is your healthiest option, understanding it’s not ideal. Your meal above sounds delicious but can’t bring it to the park. I try to eat something on my way in to curb my hunger at the park, but it’s not always possible and I definitely need a snack in the 3+ hours I’m cheering the Sox on.
Lynn and Mike,
Read the previous post here: http://kaplifestyle.com/2014/06/eating-healthy-ballpark-part-1
Then, hit me back.
You can bring food to Fenway, you just need to be slick and resourceful (smile).
Kap
Mike says
Read something about them starting cavity searches
Speaking of cavities, excuses are like….I kid. I’m sure you’ve exhausted your resources. Love you, Mike.
Kap
That’s a killer post Kap. I recently went to a four game home stand at Coors to watch my wife’s favorite team, the Braves, split the series with the Rockies. We all packed a couple of coolers with similar goods you described above………..not only did we not have any regrets about the food choices we made but we also saved a ton of cash!
Nice, Brad. Good work.
Michelle Williams says
I’m picking up what you’re putting down here. When I lived in the DC area I would go to Nats games pretty regularly and BYOF. The park there will let you bring small soft sided coolers (only 1 H20 bottle though). Although, not all parks are as accommodating. When I was living in Seattle, on more of a shoe string budget (the $5 dollar cheap ticket was my best friend) I snuck food in many times in a massive mom bag. If I could, I would splurge and get freshly made sushi and a delicious microbrew (Safeco field had some awesome selections you don’t find at a lot of other ballparks).
This last week I was on vacation and unplugged, just caught up reading. I hope you keep finding time to keep posting whatever is running around in your head. I enjoy what you have to say, I always learn a little something and am entertained in the process, thanks!
As alway, thank you, Michelle. That Seattle scenario sounds attractive. Take care.
Michelle Williams says
To tell you the truth that was a really fun time in my life, even if I was a penniless college graduate. Watching Ichiro and Olerud was a blast : )
Dan says
Gabe, what do you recommend for my 14-yo travel ball player? Often, he has two games to play on hot central CA days. Sometimes the games are back to back, sometimes they are 2-4 hours apart. What should he eat before we head to the field, and what about in between games?
Thanks!
What does he like to eat, Dan? Tell me what y’all do now and I’ll make some suggestions. Love this question, by the way.
Dan says
Assuming we need to leave early, he’ll generally have a yogurt plus a waffle with Nutella and/or peanut butter before we leave. Between game lunch/snack is a problem. He may just have the junk food at the complex snack bat (pizza or a hot dog). Normally, he eats a reasonably balanced diet - he loves many kinds of fruit and meats, but we’ve never go figured out how to handle these long tournament days.
Tell you what, I’ll make this a post. Stand by.
Reading about being able to take food into the ball park is making me jealous. Not a huge fan really but I’m in LA and have taken in a few Dodger games and they’re not letting anything into the stadium. I mean nothing!
Kmart says
Hi Clyde;
I’ve been a season ticket holder for many years and I have had no problem bringing in a cooler or food into Chavez Ravine. The security at the gate will ask you to open it to search it’s contents but no issues. My boys (11 & 14) and I take in 15-20 Doyer games a year so keeping the food cost down is a must! Kap- keep up the great posts!