GAME DAY

 

 

You don't have to be a football fan to enjoy Super Bowl Sunday.  It's a big day…especially for those of you in the Northeast where both teams are represented.   Super Bowl Parties are notorious for their food.  (What's a Super Bowl Party if not a big spread?)

Like turkey on Thanksgiving  there are some foods that are just EXPECTED to be on the table today.  In fact it's estimated that there will be 1.25 million pounds of hot wings consumed.  (What you just felt was the collective shudder of vegetarians and vegans everywhere.)

There will also be 9 million pizza deliveries.  (Tip well…the poor guy is missing the big game.) 

And 51.7 million cases of beer will be purchased in anticipation of tonight.

The good news?  The most common item found on the table on Super Bowl Sunday is a veggie platter.

The bad news?  It's not enough to override the other choices. 

The average caloric intake from the party alone (not including other meals) is 1200.  This will include 50 grams of fat.

It's no wonder that the sale of antacids is highest (up by 20%) on the Monday after Super Bowl.

Please consider opting for whole grain chips and crackers.  Choose hummus instead of dairy dips.  Make water easy to grab.  Guacamole and nuts are not low calorie foods but if you make the guacamole yourself and choose raw, unsalted cashews over a tin of mixed salted nuts you'll be ahead of the game.

Football cupcakes are cute (overdone but cute) but a bowl of non dairy yogurt with fresh fruit and granola would be a welcome change.

It's okay to indulge a little, and you should do that with no guilt.  But with a few healthy choices, good friends, and a few exciting plays, there's no need to over indulge in order to have a good time.