If it's been a long time since you visited a Major League ballpark, you probably don't know about all the culinary changes that have taken place. Don't worry. You can still warble "Take me out to the ballgame" and "Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks," but now you can add, "Buy me some veggie wraps and carrot juice." Lower-fat foods are tentatively establishing a toehold in the Majors. Some hard-core fans – guys with protruding bellies and painted faces – may stick with beer and foot-longs, but others can choose to eat from the smart parts of the Food Pyramid while cheering the home team.
At Edison International Field, home to the Anaheim Angels, health-conscious fans can pick three-bean salad over french fries and sausage sandwiches. At the Cleveland Indians' Jacobs Field, Gardenburgers and turkey breast on whole wheat compete against fried fish, chips and pepperoni pizza.
Not all ballparks are into soy burgers and granola. At the Toronto Blue Jays' SkyDome, McDonald's serves as the main food vendor. And a typical SkyDome dessert is funnel cake, deep-fried dough covered with confectioner's sugar. Maybe the land of back-bacon isn't quite ready for health food.
But for the most part, the new foods are catching on, although they can still bring a surprised smile to the face of old-time fans when they hear vendors bark, "Get yer red-hot tofu dogs here!"
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