The culinary game at MLB ballparks has exploded in the past 20 years. Eating healthy is a challenge

PHOENIX (AP) — Danielle LaFata's been around major sports ballparks and arenas most of her adult life, so the nutritionist has one word of advice for those who want to eat healthy when attending a pro sports event.

Don't.

“Go ahead and have your burger, have your hot dog, have your couple of slices of pizza,” LaFata said.

LaFata — the director of performance and nutrition for the NBA's Phoenix Suns — says her advice is simply practical and based on her own appetite. Over the past 20 years, the culinary game across the baseball landscape has exploded, with offerings like The Renegade in Pittsburgh, The 4 Bagger in Atlanta or a Polish Sausage topped with smoked brisket and spicy BBQ sauce in Chicago.

Even glancing at the pictures feels like it can raise cholesterol.

Yes, there are a few health(ier) options, particularly in places like San Francisco, where the Giants have a place called The Garden that highlights “sustainability, urban farming, and healthy eating.” Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little.

But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy.

The food offerings reflect those cravings.

Baseball occupies a unique space in the sports food world because of a few factors. For one, the 162-game regular season means each team has 81 home games, so there are lots of opportunities to sell. There's also the sport's relatively slow pace, which permits plenty of time to down a hot dog or five.

Juan Villegas Sr. walked through the Chase Field concourse — home of baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks — with a big tray carrying two items called an XL Footlong Sonoran Style Dog and some Korean Pork Belly Nachos.

“Usually, I’m more of a classic guy, you know, like a regular hot dog,” Villegas said. “But me and my son had to give these a try. I’m about to devour them.”

LaFata said she likes to use an 80/20 rule when it comes to a diet, eating healthy 80% of the time while indulguing in some comfort food for the other 20%. The nutritionist said if a person knows they're going to a sporting event, they should spend the previous few days eating healthy so they can enjoy themselves.

That means plenty of veggies and lean meats like fish.

“This is going to be my 20% day, or my junk food day,” LaFata said. “Thoughout the whole week, you’re eating your 80%, you’re eating clean, you’re eating often, you’re doing all the good things you need to do for your body.”

Most customers aren't counting calories at the ballpark — and in fact, calorie counts frequently aren't even posted. Diamondbacks executive chef Stephen Tilder said Chase Field offers a handful of healthy options, but the top five sellers are almost always some variation of hot dogs, chicken tenders, popcorn, soft pretzels and nachos.

“That’ll be 90 percent of your sales at any stadium and arena, because that’s just traditional fare," he said.

There do seem to be a few exceptions in places like San Francisco, but most cities are more like Milwaukee.

“We had Impossible (Meat) at our taco stands, and we just found that it wasn’t very successful," said Loren Rue, the executive chef at the Milwaukee Brewers' ballpark. “We offered it at multiple locations, and the sales just weren’t there to prove that it was worth keeping on.”

Even so, Rue said people don't have to pack on the pounds when watching the Brewers.

“It’s not that we’re trying to limit those options,” she added. "We still have veggie dogs. We still have veggie burgers. There are options that are available to our guests. It’s just making sure the menu speaks to what the fans want.”

LaFata — the nutrionist — said there are some tips for those who don't want to pig out while watching a baseball game. Among them, it's a good idea to walk a few laps around the park, getting an idea of the selection and what options might be better than others.

Healthy options are usually clustered in a few parts of the venue.

She also suggested eating before attending the game, so you're not starving when staring at a display for an Apple Pie Chimichanga.

Though there are certainly ways to cut caloric corners, LaFata suggests it's better to quit worrying. Those who have paid to attend a sporting event might as well spend their money on the good stuff.

“Sure, we could do a bunless hot dog, or a bunless burger, and that might save 100, 150 calories if we're looking to do it that way, or if we're following a specific paleo or keto type diet and trying to cut the carbs," LaFata said.

“Or you can just take away the bun to make room for your beer!”

AP Sports Writers Steve Megargee in Milwaukee and Stephen Whyno in Washington contributed to this report.

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Tim Suwinski, father of Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski, left, and grandson Will Hackl, both of Chicago, share a Renegade hot dog before a baseball game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Boston Red Sox in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Tim Suwinski, father of Pittsburgh Pirates' Jack Suwinski, and grandson Will Hackl, both of Chicago, share a Renegade hot dog before a baseball game between the Pirates and the Boston Red Sox in Pittsburgh, Friday, April 19, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

The Churro Dog HQ concession vendor offers new menu items like the Apple Pie Chimichanga and the Churro Sundae Parfait at Chase Field prior to an Arizona Diamondbacks baseball game against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Korean Pork Belly Nachos, left, and the Millionaire Steak Sandwich, right, two of the new menu items available for fans at concession food vendors at Chase Field, are displayed prior to a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees, Tuesday, April 2, 2024, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

A Four Bagger hamburger is shown at Truist Park before a baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves Sunday, April 21, 2024, in Atlanta. The culinary game at MLB ballparks has exploded in the past 20 years. Eating healthy is a challenge. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

A fan looks at the Farmer's Fridge food vending machine on the ballpark concourse at Globe Life Field before a spring training baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little. But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Workers prepare sushi at American Family Field in Milwaukee during an event to show off stadium foods Thursday, March 28, 2024. Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little. But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

A general view of the Visiting Vegan food stand is shown at Globe Life Field before a spring training baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox, Monday, March 25, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little. But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Some sushi is seen at American Family Field in Milwaukee during an event to show off some foods that fans can get at a game Thursday, March 28, 2024. Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little. But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

Ben's Chili Bowl stand at Nationals Park in Washington before an exhibition baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Washington Nationals Futures, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little. But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Chicken is for sale at Nationals Park in Washington before an exhibition baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Washington Nationals Futures, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little. But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Cotton candy for sale at Nationals Park in Washington before an exhibition baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Washington Nationals Futures, Tuesday, March 26, 2024. Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little. But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Fans hold food items, including a Broomstick hot dog, on the main concourse at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, before a spring training baseball game between the Texas Rangers and the Boston Red Sox, Monday, March 25, 2024. Danielle LaFata’s been around major sports ballparks and arenas for most of her adult life, so the nutritionist has one word of advice for those who want to eat healthy when attending a Major League Baseball game this summer. Don’t. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde)

Hot dogs at Nationals Park before an exhibition baseball game between the Washington Nationals and the Washington Nationals Futures, Tuesday, March 26, 2024, in Washington. Most parks and arenas have a handful of areas that offer salads, gluten free or vegan offerings if fans are willing to hunt a little. But the vast majority of people attending baseball games aren't necessarily looking to eat healthy. (AP Photo/Nick Wass

NEW YORK (AP) — Kodai Senga's injury-delayed season debut for the New York Mets was cut short after 5 1/3 innings and 73 pitches when he strained his left calf while pitching against the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

After inducing Austin Riley to pop up leading off the sixth, Senga pointed toward Pete Alonso and began sprinting off the mound to clear room for the first baseman. The 31-year-old right-hander grabbed his left calf and bounced for a couple steps before falling.

Senga held his calf as he was surrounded by catcher Francisco Alvarez, manager Carlos Mendoza, his interpreter and an athletic trainer. Senga and the trainer rubbed Senga’s calf before Senga got up, exchanged hugs and handshakes with teammates on the infield and limped off.

Senga, who missed the first 102 games with a right shoulder capsule strain, allowed just two hits — including Adam Duvall’s two-run homer in the second inning — while striking out nine. He retired his final 10 batters.

Runner-up to Arizona's Corbin Carroll for NL Rookie of the Year last season, Senga was 12-7 with a 2.98 ERA in 29 starts after signing a $75 million, five-year contract.

Senga began a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment on July 3 and went 0-0 with a 4.15 ERA in four starts, three for Triple-A Syracuse and one for Class A Brooklyn.

Right-handed reliever Eric Orze was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse and emerging reliever Dedniel Núñez was put on the 15-day injured list with a right pronator strain. Right-handers Adrian Houser and Shintaro Fujinami were designated for assignment.

Núñez, 2-0 with a 2.43 ERA and one save in 24 games, had an MRI that didn't reveal any elbow ligament damage, manager Carlos Mendoza said. The 28-year-old right-hander began feeling tightness following back-to-back appearances at Miami last Saturday and experienced discomfort again Wednesday,

Houser, acquired from Milwaukee with outfielder Tyrone Taylor on Dec. 20, was 1-5 with a 7.84 ERA and one save in seven starts and 16 relief appearances. He opened 0-3 with an 8.16 ERA in his first six starts before working himself into a late-inning bullpen role by going 1-1 with a 2.84 ERA in 12 appearances from May 10 through June 30.

Hauser was scored upon in all five of his outings this month with a 9.00 ERA.

“Even when we put him in the bullpen, he was always willing to take the baseball and do whatever the team needed,” Mendoza said. “He was such a professional. It was just hard for him to find that consistency.”

Fujinami signed to a $3.35 million, one-year deal and opened the season with Syracuse. He was recalled and placed on the 15-day injured list on May 13 with a strained right shoulder, then walked eight in 8 2/3 innings over nine rehab appearances since June 25.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets' Kodai Senga, right, high-fives Luis Severino while walking into the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga gestures while walking into the dugout during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga (34) reacts as he leaves the field due to an injury during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)

New York Mets' Kodai Senga grabs his leg as he reacts to an injury during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, July 26, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Pamela Smith)