Healthy Eating at Concerts and Sporting Events
August 31, 2026
Concerts, festivals, and sporting events are in full swing in summer and fall. They can be super fun, but can throw off your daily routine. It can be hard to eat healthy with the standard concession stand foods, such as fries, hot dogs, and soft pretzels. Here are some tips to enjoy the event while staying healthy:
Plan meals around the event time.
For example, if you are going to a concert after work that starts at 7pm but you do not leave work until 5pm then that does not leave a lot of time for getting ready, eating dinner, and getting to the concert on time. That might put you in a position of needing to buy concession food or wait until the end of the show. Then, by the time the concert ends you are starving. I recommend making sure you eat a balanced breakfast and lunch that day, towards the end of the work day having a substantial snack such as a bento box (you can fill it with pretzels, deli meat, cheese, and fruit) or make a dinner that you can eat in the car such as a turkey wrap and carrots. No, it may not be the most relaxing and mindful dinner, but it will be quick and give you the energy you need to enjoy the concert.
Plan treats ahead of time.
Some sports stadiums have fun snacks that are unique to that location. If there is a treat that you know you will want during the event, you can plan to include that in the day. For example, if you know that you will want ice cream at the baseball game that can be a treat for the day and plan to have balanced meals and snacks for the rest of the day.
Check the rules for outside food and drink.
Some venues allow for water bottles to be brought in, but will have restrictions around it such as it has to be sealed or empty. Bringing in your own water will not only save you money, but will also help you stay hydrated during the event. Most stadiums will also have water fountains where you can refill your bottle, as needed. This is especially important if your venue is outside and it is a hot day. If you get dehydrated this can lead to headaches, fatigue, and potentially heat exhaustion. You can either bring in your own water or buy it at the venue, but make sure you are staying safe and hydrated.
So whether you are singing along your favorite artist or cheering on the local sports team, use these tips to have fun while staying on track with your health goals!
