New guidelines released by the B.C. government say sports venues should limit junk food and feed fans yogurts, whole-grain cereals and soy beverages instead.
At least 80 per cent of the food and beverages offered at sporting events should be healthy, according to the Ministry of Healthy Living and Sport, leaving less room for traditional game grub like hamburgers, french fries, chips and soft drinks.
Recommended menu items include lean meats, low-sodium stews, curries and 100 per cent fruit juices.
Canucks fan Roop Bhatti, 32, said few of the healthier options sounded appealing to him. "No. Stew? Nope. Yogurt? I can see some of the ladies probably hitting up the yogurt," he said.
Still, Bhatti, who says he watches more than a dozen games per year, thinks there is a market out there for a healthier menu. "I think for the older sports fans especially, if they were given a healthier choice over a burger and fries, they might take it."
Stu Hall, a BC Lions fan, said he would welcome the shift. "I enjoy a hot dog as much as anybody, but there's a lot more obesity out there these days," he said. "And right now, there's really not a lot of healthy options."
Adherence to the guidelines is strictly voluntary, but the B.C. Games Society has already said it will implement the recommendations at the summer and winter Games.
Would you order health food at a game, or are hot dogs and donuts part of the experience? Have your say in the comments section.
