Setting Goals for a Healthy Superbowl

Blog originally posted through WellCats Newsletter

Celebrating our beloved sports teams is one of America’s favorite past times. As the upcoming Superbowl approaches, party planning for many is in full swing. While game day events are a wonderful way to spend time with friends and family, the Superbowl is often one of the biggest calorie overloads of the year. High calorie, high sugar, and highly processed snacks quickly add extra calories that can do damage to health goals and expand waistlines. Win big this game day by following the tips below and adding healthier snacks that everyone will love.

1. Substitute More Veggies Whenever Possible – vegetables are a great way to reduce calories, sodium, and processed carbohydrates from your game day foods. If you’re making dips, nachos, or pizza, adding vegetables can help provide more nutrition to these foods without sacrificing flavor. If you’re making guacamole, queso, or 7 layer dips, consider pairing them with yummy dipping veggies like bell pepper, carrots, jicama, celery, and broccoli. In our recent Man Food cooking class, members loved our Superbowl Guacamole combined with jicama, an often overlooked veggie. On your pizzas and nachos, heavy use of cheese and processed meats can be reduced by adding in vegetables such as bell peppers, broccoli, spinach, mushrooms, artichokes and more. With a little creativity, your game day favorites can have a healthy twist your family and friends will enjoy!

2. Don’t Forget About Calories in Drinks – soft drinks and alcohol add significant calories to game day activities and often get overlooked for their contribution. One 12 ounce coke adds an additional 140 calories and dark beers can pack in as much as 200 calories per bottle. Even Bud Light still adds 145 calories per 12 ounces. To help navigate the drink scene, think MODERATION. Bring your own lower calorie drinks like sparkling water, unsweetened iced tea, or naturally flavored carbonated drinks such as La Croix. If you know you are going to enjoy an alcoholic beverage or 2, plan for it by avoiding so many calorie dense food items and instead stick to healthier alternatives.

3. Make Your Own Over Buying Your Own – planning game day food can feel overwhelming, especially if you are expecting a large group. But wherever possible, make your food homemade. By putting recipes together yourself, YOU ARE IN CONTROL over what is in your food. Sodium, fat, and sugar are the primary ingredients in many of your store or restaurant bought items. Most game day favorites can be made at home with much healthier ingredients and for less money. Consider 2 more favorites from our recent cooking class: Our healthy chicken wings and cauliflower breadsticks provided delicious finger foods that incorporated the heart healthy, anti-inflammatory spice turmeric in place of salt, and cauliflower in place of processed white flour to make delicious, simple, and healthy recipes everyone felt good eating!