Talking Footy

Call to ban meat pies at the footy
By Suellen Hide and Sarah Blake
March 04, 2007 12:00
http://www.news.com.au/sundaytelegraph/ ... 21,00.html

INTERSTATE footy rivalry is heating up with Victorian nutritionists calling for a ban on the calorie-laden meat pie at matches.

Melbourne Nutritionist Shane Bilsborough says fat-filled pies - consumed by one in four fans at AFL and NRL games - should be taken off stadium menus.

His call follows a move by top UK soccer clubs, including Arsenal and Glasgow Celtic, to replace meat pies with wholemeal pizzas.

But Sydney University nutritionist and author Dr Jenny O'Dea says: "This is the food police going overboard.

"The idea that one meat pie at the footy will make people fat is wrong.''

And leading health food advocate nutritionist Rosemary Stanton said banning foods just made them more desirable.

"But there is certainly a case for making pies more healthy. It would actually be very easy to make a much-healthier version of a pie - it would just increase the price,'' she said.

Mr Bilsborough said pies sold at the MCG and Telstra Dome contain an average 35g of fat and sporting events should encourage people to eat healthier foodoptions.

"When you go to the football all that is on offer is pies, chips, soft drinks and pasties - it's all rubbish,'' he said.

But Telstra Stadium spokesman Kyle Patterson said fans had a wide range of food options.

"It's a matter of balance and we are happy with where we stand - we are in the business of providing choice and if you want a salad when you are here, then you can purchase one,'' he said.