Super Bowl Sunday is meant to be a fun day to hang out with friends and support your favorite team, but it has become synonymous with unhealthy appetizers (think queso dip and nachos) and mindless eating. A 2015 study found that there is a significant increase in the purchase of unhealthy food the week of the Super Bowl, equating to about 6,000 additional calories more than usual. And although one day of unhealthy eating probably won’t derail everything, who wants to wake up Monday morning with a food and alcohol hangover? If you want to feel your best the morning after, here are a few hacks to help you make those tempting appetizers a little healthier while still enjoying the whole Super Bowl party experience.
Veggie platters with just celery and carrots can be quite boring. Why not make it the centerpiece of the party instead? Consider adding other veggies like steamed asparagus, multicolored tomatoes or peppers, pickled veggies and edamame. Challenge yourself to add as many colors as possible, making it the most appealing dish of the whole party.
Also, consider the dip. Hummus made from garbanzo beans or edamame is a great high-fiber, nutritious choice. Or make a lightened-up spinach dip using Greek yogurt and less cheese.
Chips are hard to resist, especially when you’re sitting in front of a bowl of them all day. So if you are going to munch, why not make them a little healthier? Look for whole grain tortilla chips that have more fiber; whole grain corn should be the first ingredient. Or consider freeze-dried veggie chips made of green beans or beets.
You can also cut calories with freshly prepared dips. Stick with fresh salsa (bonus if you make it yourself), but be sure to check the sodium content. Or consider lightening up your guacamole by adding blended white beans. If you can’t do without creamy dips like ranch, make your own lighter version using low-fat sour cream or Greek yogurt.
Beer and football go hand-in-hand, but the calories can really add up. Not to mention, alcohol lowers your inhibitions and increase the chances you’ll dive into the queso dip. If you want to drink beer, there are many lighter alternatives. If you prefer mixed drinks, select calorie-free mixers like seltzer.
Also, be sure to pace yourself. For every alcoholic drink, have a glass of water in between. This will slow your consumption while keeping you hydrated and preventing a hangover at the same time.
Although you can try to lighten up some of the traditional Super Bowl appetizers, you can still consume too many calories by eating “healthy” food. It's easy to do when there is food laying around all day and you’re distracted by the game. So be mindful of what you are consuming. Don’t sit in front of the appetizer platter; instead, serve yourself a portion on a plate and then move away from the food. Place your focus on enjoying time with friends and cheering on your favorite team.
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