Regatta Food Sense

The oldest annual sporting event in North America is set to run for the 194^th time this Wednesday. I'm sure at one point or another we've all been familiar with high hopes for a good weather day and the infamous Regatta roulette. During the Regatta though we often play other games of chance for more than just a day off work. Sometimes we chance the food we eat. It's a day all in good fun, but we do need to keep health and food safety in mind too. For the Regatta Day goers, here are some tips to help you do just that.

Clean bathrooms may be a scarcity so carry portable hand sanitizer. Without clean water and soap,

this is the best way to rid hands of germs before eating. Summer is a time when food poisoning can be at an all time high too. It would be smart to choose foods that are hot held or chilled. They'd have less likelihood to be contaminated by improper temperatures. Foods that need to be hot or cold and left at room temperature for two hours or longer need to be thrown out so be sure the hot or cold food you choose is being held just that. When deciding if you want to purchase food from a vendor quickly ask yourself these questions about the food safety and cleanliness of their booth. Does the vendor have a clean and tidy workstation? Is there a sink for employees to wash their hands? Do the employees wear gloves or use tongs when handling food? Do they have refrigeration on-site for raw ingredients or pre-cooked foods? Lastly, if you see flies or insects around food or a concession it's a good idea to skip that booth over. They can carry Campylobacter- a leading cause of bacterial diarrhea. That's a prize no one wants to claim and take home for sure.

Back in the 1900's a popular Regatta food concession was called 'the greasy pig'. A slick young pig was released into the crowds and the lucky person to catch the animal brought it home for ham, bacon , pork, etc. Times have certainly changed since then. Today the possibilities of food quality and quantity are endless. Which if you're watching the waistline, going to the Regatta can prove difficult. What to do? Plan before you eat. If it's early and not crowded, walk around and see what's available to eat before going for the first thing you see. Better yet, recall from past years and try to have an idea of what you'd like before you get down there. If you do purchase food, avoid adding extra salt to items like burgers or fries. They will almost always have more than enough already. You can also try having a snack before heading out too, as we all know too well the power of smell and sight on an empty stomach! Another idea might be to consider bringing your own food. Bringing food from home still enables you to eat healthfully as a family and probably save money too, while still enjoying the festive Regatta atmosphere. If you do decide to do this, remember to keep safe food while stored too.

Last but not least, try and stay hydrated. If the weather is anything like it has been the past few weeks we are probably in for a warm one. Typical summer drinks at events include sugar-loaded sodas, fruit drinks, punches, frappes and milk shakes, iced tea and iced coffee, sports and energy drinks, and oversized alcoholic concoctions. They come packed with lots of extra calories, sometimes more than a dessert, and often no nutritional value. Instead choose water, 100% juices, milk and other low calorie or diet drinks. Cold drinks will quench thirst well. Remember to drink them often.

The races, food, games, time with family and friends – what people like to do down at the lake certainly varies. Practising food safety and healthy choices though will be a bet that ensures high returns on the Regatta roulette wheel, or any other game of chance.

As seen in The Telegram July 30, 2012