The Seahawks and the Patriots are both likely to make some big gains on Super Bowl Sunday. So, too, are those of us gathered around the TV.
Americans consume more food on Super Bowl Sunday than on any other day except Thanksgiving, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The food and drink we tend to favor on game day – pizza, chili, chips, beer – weigh us down with lots of calories and fat. And slimming down again is a lot tougher than, say, letting some air out of a football.
Whether you’re going to a Super Bowl party or throwing your own, there’s still time to game-plan a smarter menu and snacking strategy, says Kathy Schupp, director of The University of Akron Nutrition Center. The center is part of the School of Nutrition and Dietetics in the College of Health Professions.
Playbook for sensible gnoshing
Schupp and UA nutrition/dietetics major Alyssa Regula drew up this playbook for sensible Super Bowl gnoshing:
- Before heading to the party, eat something healthy – perhaps a salad or some fruit – so you aren’t starving when you arrive.
- Bring along some healthy food for you and others to enjoy.
- To keep portion sizes under control in the buffet line, use smaller plates.
- If you drink calorie-laden alcoholic beverages, alternate them with water. A typical 12-ounce beer has more than 150 calories. Choosing a light beer can save up to 80 calories.
- If you’re the host, offer guests healthy options: fresh fruits and vegetables, light dips.
- One-fourth cup of black bean dip has 90 calories and 3.5 grams of fat, compared with the 145 calories and 11 grams of fat in a quarter cup of buffalo chicken dip.
- A six-inch turkey and ham sub with low-fat cheese and light mayonnaise on whole-grain bread has 370 calories, 16 grams of fat and 26 grams of protein. The same sandwich made with salami, bologna and regular cheese and mayonnaise on white bread registers 720 calories, 50 grams of fat and 20 grams of protein.
- The average slice of store pizza delivers 298 calories and 683 mg of sodium. Substitute homemade pizza with healthier toppings and less sodium.
- Cut down on the calories in your chili by using less ground beef or substituting a leaner meet like chicken or turkey. Add more varieties of vegetables and beans. Then, season with herbs and spices instead of salt or packaged chili mix.
- Offer lighter snacks during the first half, saving heavier foods for later.
- Don’t let food encroach on the neutral zone around the TV. Serving in another room can discourage mindless munching.
Media contact: Roger Mezger, 330-972-6482 or rmezger@uakron.edu.