Build-Your-Own Nachos

This past Saturday, I attended the Indians Game at Progressive Field against the Toronto Blue Jays. 

Beyond enjoying the 60 degree weather, catching a free bag of Cracker Jacks during the 7th inning stretch (I was so excited haha) and the Indians winning 7 to 2, the stadium food was INCREDIBLE. Yes, most definitely something you'd want to write home about. ;) 

I must say, even athletes need nutritional balance. Yes, it is so important to maintain a nutritionally dense lifestyle with training, however, you do need to enjoy and treat yourself every once in awhile. Being strict with oneself, following a very restrictive nutrition lifestyle, can lead to deprivation, uncontrollable cravings and can even effect one's health - socially, emotionally, behaviorally, physically.. 

That being said, during in-season training, I always encourage my athletes to aim for the 90-10 rule - getting an "A" for nutrition 90% of the time and treating oneself 10% of the time. During off-season training, depending on the athletes goals and current condition (e.g. injury), most athletes can get away with following the 80-20 rule! 

It's encouraging to see that getting veggies in at a sporting event is becoming more and more doable! And in very delicious ways! 

Although my friend initially poked fun at me getting a non-traditional ballpark meal - Nachos Gigante (pictured) from the Momocho stand - rather than a ballpark hotdog, he ended up being envious of my meal!

Here's what I got: homemade tortilla chips with shredded chicken breast, black beans, grilled onions, hot sauce, and a yogurt-based cilantro lime crema. Holy moly was it soooo good!

When sitting in my seat, enjoying my nachos and watching the ballgame, I was so impressed with the very apparent evolution of sporting event/stadium food. Yeah, the tortilla chips were "fried" but everything else in my nachos was relatively nutritious. I would most definitely get this again and it gave me new ideas in recommending simple nutritious and delicious meals for my college athletes.

Nachos are an easy way to clean out the fridge and, instead of using regular tortilla chips, you could easily swap out for blue corn tortilla chips, brown rice or a whole wheat tortilla - making it a burrito bowl or burrito. And consider this, Nachos don't necessarily have to follow traditional mexican cusine, it could be a fusion! If you have pineapple, beef and teriyaki sauce, you could easily make a Korean-based nacho bowl! 

The options are endless! Have ideas yourself? Feel free to share! 

Healthy Regards,
Jessica G. Anderson, MS, RD, LD, ACSM EP-C
#FuelForTheGOLD