Trends We Love: All-You-Can-Eat Ballparks
by Lloyd Alter, Toronto 
on 03.24.08
When one lives in a milieu where everyone reads Michael Pollan and shops local and healthy, it is shocking to learn that the local ballpark is introducing an all-you-can-eat section. Mmmm, all the hotdogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos and soft drinks. Unfortunately, beer is extra. The Dodgers, Royals and Cardinals did it last year, and it was a big success. Dietitians are appalled:
"Its disgusting," said Christine Gerbstadt, a registered dietitian and national spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association. "Why can't people just enjoy the game and eat sensibly?" Author Neal Pollack told USA Today it was "the worst American culture can offer." He says he sat in the Dodgers' section last year and it "was a gluttonous orgy of stupidity." The smell … was unbearable," Pollack recalls. "By the end of the game, it was like sitting in a sewer." ::The Star
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Better idea: Make it all you can eat, but have it be vegetarian and locally sourced.
Though it will be interesting to see a whole section of a ballpark completely empty.
Trends We *Love*? Is this TH's sense of sarcasm peaking through or were you guys serious? Don't reply to this comment telling me I'm obviously stupid for not knowing whether this was a joke or not, because either way-- why is TH even giving webspace to trash like this? This site is supposed to promote healthy and 'green' living as well as being a positive environment for fostering better habits.
In TH spirit, I would have liked to see this topic used as an example of what not to do at a ball park (or any sports arena for that matter), and instead turn it around and talk about healthy eating alternatives while sport spectating.
Trends We *Love*? Is this TH's sense of sarcasm peaking through or were you guys serious? Don't reply to this comment telling me I'm obviously stupid for not knowing whether this was a joke or not, because either way-- why is TH even giving webspace to trash like this? This site is supposed to promote healthy and 'green' living as well as being a positive environment for fostering better habits.
In TH spirit, I would have liked to see this topic used as an example of what not to do at a ball park (or any sports arena for that matter), and instead turn it around and talk about healthy eating alternatives while sport spectating.
I'm glad TH covered this. Opposing unhealthy trends in American culture is just as important as promoting the healthy ones.
"a gluttonous orgy of stupidity. The smell … was unbearable ... By the end of the game, it was like sitting in a sewer."
In 20 words, the probable future of the United States.
Here's hoping it's not too late to change it.
most.dumbest.thread.ever.
slimfender, revealing the inherent problems in American food culture is an important precursor to working towards solving those problems. I know you don't want me to patronize you, but why would you think they would be promoting this sort of behavior? I know the sarcastic title is a bit confusing, but they take that attitude constantly.
I love this!!!!!!!
Just make sure those security cams archive snapshots of these patrons. Then forward to their insurance companies once the facial recognition system identifies them.
Or, just make it a giant roach motel for gluttonous bipedal swine. :)
This is the new eco sin? Eating a lot on special occasions? Considering how less healthy soda is for you than food (generally), are we going to start getting all worked up about how horrible free refills are? Boycott Thanksgiving? This just seems like a stupid thing to whine about. I'm skinny, pretty healthy, and live a car-free lifestyle, yet if I somehow found myself at a ballgame (not likely), I would definitely be attracted to this all-you-can-eat thing. Sometimes it's nice to pig out. It's natural.
There are people who eat a lot more at home while watching a game (having a whole fridge to graze from) than they ever will at a ballpark. This is all about appearances -- and the fact that it makes some people (who have an agenda to push) very very uncomfortable when they see thin people (like the guy in the picture with the bag of whatever shoved into his gaping maw) pigging out the way that fat people are alleged to do. It robs them of a talking point.
There are people who eat a lot more at home while watching a game (having a whole fridge to graze from) than they ever will at a ballpark. This is all about appearances -- and the fact that it makes some people (who have an agenda to push) very very uncomfortable when they see thin people (like the guy in the picture with the bag of whatever shoved into his gaping maw) pigging out the way that fat people are alleged to do. It robs them of a talking point.
"Pigging out" isn't natural, it's cultural.
I pity the staff who have to clean up the section where people are:
a) eating far too much rich, greasy food and
b) drinking too much beer because they can now spend all that money they were saving for that third ball-park frank on beer.
I bet this idea lasts until they have an emetic chain-reaction turn the stadium into a swamp.
After all, beer and corn-dog retch is the kind of odour that guarantees repeat business.
How ironic that people will go watch a sports event and get fat at the same time.
Terra Verde: I completely agree with you, that "revealing the inherent problems in American food culture is an important precursor to working towards solving those problems," and I did state that I thought this article may be sarcastic in nature.
However, the author does nothing to further discussion himself, he just simply makes note of this trend and pulls quotes from The Kansas City Star, which I read.
So what's the point? I could point out things like that all day, but it makes for wasted time and breath if I do nothing to talk about alternative options and solutions.
It's a good thing there's a comment thread on articles for this site because I think more often than not, most of the insight on things like this come from readers and comments rather than the author of the article original.
My point: we are saying the same thing, in different ways.