Here’s some food for thought.
What if the NCAA Sweet 16 basketball bracket were based on the overall healthier option?
The nutrition app ShopWell made the picks using regional specialties unique to each college. Winners were determined by the overall healthier option.
Elite Eight picks
• Maryland - Crab Cakes: Although higher in sodium and fat, a typical dish is two crab cakes instead of a rack of ribs so likely a lower calorie choice.
• Miami - Key Lime Pie: Lower calorie and lower fat choice
• Duke - Shepherd's Pie: Higher sodium but has protein and vegetables, too.
• Texas A&M - BBQ Brisket: Both choices are high fat, but brisket is higher protein and “more bang for your nutrition buck.”
• North Carolina - Pulled Pork Sandwich: Lower fat, lower sodium choice.
• Notre Dame - Corned Beef: Lower sodium, less processed, and better meat choice.
• Virginia - Ham Biscuits: Close game, but lower sodium and lower calorie choice.
• Gonzaga - Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon: Healthy fats and high in protein.
Final Four
• Miami - Key Lime Pie: Not fried and it's a lower fat choice. (Yes, it has sugar.)
• Duke - Shepherd's Pie: More balanced dish.
• Notre Dame - Corned Beef: less processed but still good source of protein.
• Gonzaga - Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon: Healthier fat and protein choice.
Championship Game
• Gonzaga - Cedar Plank Grilled Salmon: Better all around choice.