With March Madness underway, pizza is the quintessential food of the tournament. After all, what goes better with watching basketball games for hours on end than grabbing a slice of your favorite pie? But could too much pizza actually break your March Madness bracket?
Does pizza make you less sharp while filling out your bracket?
There’s no doubt that pizza can cause fatigue and sluggishness if you overindulge. Greasy, cheesy pizza is not exactly a health food. Eating too much of it could result in a “food coma” – that feeling of lethargy after consuming large quantities of fat, carbs, and calories. This could potentially affect your focus and clarity when sitting down to make your March Madness picks.
However, moderate amounts of pizza are unlikely to significantly hamper your bracketology skills. Having a few slices over the course of the tournament is not going to suddenly render you incapable of analyzing teams and matchups. And there’s no scientific evidence specifically linking pizza consumption to poor bracket picks.
Key Takeaways
- Bingeing on pizza may negatively affect your focus due to a “food coma.”
- But moderate pizza eating is very unlikely to ruin your bracket.
Can pizza actually improve your bracket picks?
While overdoing it on pizza could be counterproductive, there’s an argument to be made that eating it in reasonable amounts could be beneficial for your bracket. Here are some potential ways pizza could give you an edge:
Brain fuel
Pizza provides energy from carbohydrates, protein from the cheese and meat toppings, and some nutrients like vitamin A and calcium. This can help fuel your brain during the concentration required for bracket picks. Having quick access to pizza can keep you energized without needing to stop filling out your brackets.
Stress reliever
Eating your favorite pizza can be comforting and stress reducing. Feeling more relaxed and happy may lead to clearer thinking when making bracket decisions. If you’re stressed while picking, you’re more likely to make irrational choices.
Tradition
Many sports fans have fond memories of eating pizza during March Madness and other big games throughout their lives. Having that traditional pizza while you fill out your bracket can mentally connect you to previous successful brackets you’ve made.
Key Takeaways
- Pizza can provide energy, nutrients, comfort, and nostalgia – all helpful for optimal bracket picking.
- But any advantages would be from moderate pizza consumption, not bingeing.
Tips for pizza consumption during March Madness
Here are some tips to get the potential benefits of pizza without going overboard and negatively affecting your focus:
- Eat your pizza over several meals rather than all at once. Having a few slices here and there is less likely to cause fatigue or indigestion.
- Split pizzas with friends or family so you don’t overeat.
- Alternate pizza with other healthier snacks like fruit, vegetables, nuts, or yogurt.
- Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and grogginess.
- Avoid extra greasy pizzas loaded with too much cheese.
- Select veggie toppings like mushrooms, peppers, and onions to add nutrients.
- Try preheating your oven to the lowest temperature setting and keep the pizza warm over time, rather than gorging all at once.
Be mindful of your portions and your body’s signals while enjoying pizza during March Madness. But don’t stress too much about the effects on your bracket – there are far bigger factors that will determine the outcome.
Does pizza affect different people differently?
Like most things in nutrition, individual responses to pizza consumption vary. Some people may be more or less impacted by overdoing it on pizza due to factors like:
Body Size
Larger individuals likely can eat more pizza before feeling fatigued or unfocused. Smaller bodies have less capacity and get full faster.
Metabolism
Faster metabolisms can break down and digest pizza quicker with fewer ill effects. Slower metabolism leads to greater sluggishness.
Fitness Level
More active and fit individuals require more calories from pizza before feeling overloaded. Sedentary folks should be more careful about portions.
Dietary Habits
Those used to eating large amounts of carbs and cheese may handle pizza better. People on low-carb diets should take it slow when indulging.
Key Takeaway
- Listen to your own body’s response to pizza rather than comparing to others.
Does pizza type make a difference?
Yes, the specific type of pizza you eat could impact energy levels, focus, and bracket picks. Here are some pizza factors to consider:
Crust Style
Thick, buttery, pan crusts tend to be more dense and fatty, leading to greater sluggishness. Thin, crispy crusts may be easier to digest.
Cheese Amount
Extra cheese adds more calories, saturated fat, and sodium that could dehydrate and cause indigestion.
Toppings
Veggie toppings provide nutrients. But greasy meats like pepperoni and sausage may exacerbate overeating and fatigue.
Cooking Method
Deep dish and hand-tossed pizza is more likely to feel heavy in your stomach versus lighter wood-fired oven pizza.
Key Takeaway
- Lighter, crispier pizzas in moderation may be optimal for your bracket focus.
Should you eat pizza buffet before filling out bracket?
Pizza buffets allow you to sample different slices to satisfy your cravings. However, it’s generally not a smart idea right before sitting down and picking your bracket. Reasons to avoid pre-bracket pizza buffets:
- Easy to lose track and overeat when going back for seconds, thirds, etc.
- Often low-quality ingredients that can cause indigestion.
- Multiple flavor options can lead to poor food combining.
- May be tempted to fill up since “it’s unlimited.”
- Other hungry fans grabbing slices can pressure you to eat more.
You’re better off carefully picking a couple of your favorite pizza slices. Focus on quality over quantity by choosing ingredients that make you feel good. Then supplement with other lighter foods and fluids.
Key Takeaway
- Unlimited pizza buffets encourage overeating – avoid right before brackets.
Should you eat pizza while filling out the bracket?
Here are pros and cons of actively eating pizza as you make your March Madness picks:
Potential Pros
- Easy to grab slices without taking a break from bracket
- Can keep energy and focus levels high
- Provides comfort food as you make tough decisions
Potential Cons
- Could stain/drop grease on your bracket sheet
- Hands and focus occupied on eating instead of bracket
- May become distracted deciding the next slice to eat
- Indigestion can set in if you’re not careful
Having a few bites between making picks is fine. But it’s best to avoid actively eating an entire pizza while engaged in the mental focus of filling out your bracket. Wait to fully enjoy the pizza once your picks are complete.
Key Takeaway
- Occasional pizza bites are ok, but avoid eating it excessively during bracket.
Should you eat pizza after submitting your bracket?
Absolutely! Enjoying pizza after locking in your March Madness picks is unlikely to cause any issues. With the pressure off, there are several benefits to post-bracket pizza:
- Won’t distract you from finalizing picks
- Provides reward and satisfaction for completing your bracket
- Can fuel you while watching the first games
- No urgency, so you can properly savor each slice
The key is not to overdo it just because you worked up an appetite from all that bracketology. But a few slices after you pick that championship winner is perfectly fine. You’ve earned it!
Key Takeaway
- Pizza tastes great after you’ve completed your full bracket.
How much pizza is too much when picking brackets?
There’s no magic number for everyone, but these pizza consumption guidelines should allow you to enjoy without significantly hurting your focus:
Days Before Bracket
1-2 slices max per meal
Night Before Bracket
No more than 2-3 slices total
Morning Of Bracket
Eat light – maybe 1 slice with eggs and fruit
During Bracket
1 bite every 15-30 minutes, max 2 slices
After Bracket
Reward yourself with 2-4 slices
Listen to your body, take breaks between slices, drink water, and supplement with other nutritious foods during the tournament. If you’re feeling sluggish or unfocused, back off the pizza until you feel better.
Key Takeaway
- No more than 2-4 reasonably sized slices at a time, with breaks in between
Conclusion
Pizza in moderation is unlikely to make or break your March Madness bracket. But overdoing it can potentially affect your decision-making abilities. Have a few slices here and there throughout games, but don’t go overboard right before or during your picks. Stay focused on the analysis, listen to your body, and of course, enjoy the pizza to enhance the Madness!
