Snacks are synonymous with bridge games.

I’d even go as far as to say that it’s pretty hard to play bridge without at least a minimal amount of snack preparation that takes place beforehand.

It’s true for online bridge games, too.

Can you take on a tournament on an empty stomach from start to finish? (If the answer is yes, you probably shouldn’t.)

But when it comes to bridge games and snacks, are you choosing the right ones?

Whether you’re bringing snacks to the club or just having a quick game at home, it’s worth thinking about the snacks you choose.

Many everyday snacks have hidden dangers that could pose a risk to your health. This can become more true where certain health conditions or allergies are present.

Are you being careful enough with your bridge game snacks? Here are everyday bridge snacks with hidden dangers.

Mints (& Heart Health)

Peppermints are pretty great.

But if you have any health conditions that involve your heart, it’s best to steer clear of mint-containing snacks.

I’ve met a lot of people who are practically addicted to mint candies.

I’ve also read enough research on the adverse effects mint could have on the heart. (Hint: don’t.)

At best, it could cause heart palpitations. At worst, it could make an existing heart-related condition worse.

Licorice (& Heart Health, Too)

It turns out that mint candies aren’t the only snack to avoid when you have a heart condition. The same can be true for anything that contains licorice or aniseed.

Licorice can be useful for countering nicotine cravings, but when used with great care.

Consuming too much might cause heart palpitations or worsening of existing symptoms where a heart condition is already there.

Licorice can be fine in moderate amounts, but this really means moderate.

Peanuts (& Allergies)

Allergies are common, and peanuts aren’t the only common allergen out there.

People can be allergic to a great deal of different ingredients. If you were to grab the nearest snack to your left, it’s likely that someone in your town (or even street) is really allergic to something in it.

Keep this in mind for bridge games.

If you aren’t sure about allergies at your club, call first and ask. It’s a lot safer than accidentally poisoning the TD with a nearby peanut just because you didn’t think to ask.

Accidental Dairy (Or Worse)

When someone says, “I don’t eat this,” you should never assume that they’re just being difficult. Food intolerances are common, and sometimes people have personal reasons for avoiding certain things.

Take comments on food, snacks, intolerances or allergens seriously.

Also, check the ingredients.

Ingredients aren’t always obvious.

Snacks can contain dairy, animal-based products, or serious allergens – and you won’t be sure about it until you’ve checked.

Always, always (and always) check the ingredients first.

Snacks (& Overall Salt Content)

Always (and this means always) check the overall salt and mineral content for snacks or drinks.

The truth is that you can’t know exactly what anything contains unless you’ve checked.

Salt intake should be kept moderate, but is recommended at very low levels for many health conditions like high blood pressure.

Most people are health-conscious enough to add less salt to their cooking or request the heart healthy option at restaurants, but forget to check the labels for everything else.