One of the best ways to eat low-carb at the ballpark is to tailgate! Pull the hibachi grill out of the garage and fill up the cooler with low-carb food. There are literally thousands of grilling recipes on the net so don't limit yourself to burgers and hot dogs without the bun. Grab some portabella mushrooms, eggplant, peppers, and zucchini. Soon everyone will be stopping by to ask what that delicious smell is!

If tailgating is too time consuming, many parks will allow in food as long as it is pre-packaged or fits within a small soft-sided cooler so plan ahead for a low-carb picnic. (Each park's rules concerning outside food is different so check the stadium's website on MLB.com or call the stadium to check out its guidelines concerning outside food.) You'll be the envy of your section as you nosh on cold chicken, grilled asparagus, and coleslaw. Be sure to pack a dessert of some kind for later in the game.

Last but not least, one can find low-carb options at the ballpark. Many stadiums offer salads with grilled chicken but be sure to ask for the dressing on the side if possible. Some parks have actual restaurants within the park that would allow you to ask for normal low-carb fare such as steamed vegetables and grilled meats. If all else fails, signal the hotdog vendor but remember to save the bun for the pigeons after the game!

You've found your seat, gotten the family and friends settled in, and sung the national anthem. Your stomach is still full from pre-game tailgating and the home team has already scored. All is well with the world except that the beer your buddy is drinking sure looks good. Many of the ballparks around the country have also joined the low-carb way of life and offer low-carb beers. But how to be satisfied with just one? The trick is to buy a small low-carb beer and a large bottled water. The beer will satisfy your cravings while the water will hydrate you and keep you full.

Innings 4 - 6:

You've had a fun and filling low-carb meal during your tail-gate party. The beer was satisfying and the home team is still winning. But, its been about an hour since you ate and you can't ignore the kid in the row in front of you who is wolfing down what seems to be a fifty pound bag of cotton candy. Just the smell of the candy is making your insulin go nuts. If your tummy is starting to rumble, perhaps, it would be a good time to pull out the dessert that you packed earlier. But, if you bring fresh berries, be prepared for the onslaught of "Where did you get those?" questions!

If fresh berries are too much of a hassle to prepare and bring to the game, share a low-carb candy bar with someone. There are lots of low-carb sweets out there including gummy bears, chocolate bars, and even marsmallows. (Be careful; not everyone responds well to sugar alcohols. Try out a few candies the week before the game or you may not see the last few innings!)

If a low-carb candy bar is not available, search for a fresh fruit stand. Or, perhaps, it is time to splurge on a diet drink. In general, its best to avoid carbonated drinks but if it comes to a cravings for sweets, a diet soda is a better choice than ice cream or cotton candy.

It's time for the seventh inning stretch! Since exercise is an important part of the low-carb life, give it your all. Sing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" with extra gusto. Embarrass your children with your energetic rendition of "YMCA"; you may end up on the Jumbotron! Perhaps, it would be wise to explore the stadium. Get out of your seat and go in search of the largest bag of peanuts you can find. Stay focused and keep away from the vendor selling nachos and candied almonds. Peanuts are relatively low in carbs with approximately 4 net carbs in an ounce of peanuts; but remember, that's without the shell! So peel away and enjoy one of the oldest baseball snacks around!

Post-Game Commentary:

It was a great game. Not only was the home team a winner but you were too! You avoided the sugary errors of ice cream, kettle corn, and cotton candy. The nachos, potato chips, and popcorn struck out. You hit homeruns with tail-gate grilling, low-carb beer, and peanuts. Remember, living low-carb is not just about the food; it's about going out and enjoying life. As Yogi Berra said, "Baseball is 90% mental. The other half is physical." So go to the games, make smart food decisions, and above all, watch out for foul balls!