It is time to think through your Super Bowl game plan!

It is time to think through your Super Bowl game plan!

By Kelsie Knerr

It is time to think through your Super Bowl game plan!

In general I’d ask you to keep the TV off when eating because it distracts you from utilizing of all of your senses to enjoy your food. That being said, the Super Bowl will likely be an exception to this rule!

  • Do your best to check-in with your body throughout the night, and consider how physically hungry you are.
  • As you begin to feel satisfied, make the focus less on food and more on socializing and enjoying the game.

Scanning the Spread:

  • Before deciding what to pick for your game grub, see what the options are.
  • Keep in mind the plate method: balance your food choices by ½ plate veggies, ¼ lean protein, and ¼ nutrient dense carbohydrates (like fruits, dairy, grains, and legumes).
  • If considering beer or soda, you may want to choose to match every beverage you consume with a glass of water to help you manage the amount of empty liquid calories you are consuming.

Pregame Prep:

  • Give yourself a good starting point by making sure your breakfast and lunch that day have excellent plate balance.
  • Combat your couch time with a workout before the game.

Party Host Tips:

  • Provide smaller plates to help everyone choose smaller portions.
  • Keep the food far away from the TV (preferably in a different room like the kitchen) so guests don’t end up lingering by the food and overeating. Or keep the lighter snacks within arm’s reach (like veggies/fruits) and heavier items like desserts or greasy foods across the room.
  • Ask for a heads up on what everyone plans to bring to avoid everyone bringing similar items. When you know what will be provided you can decide what to make by filling in the food group gaps.

Favorite Dip Recipes:

Veggies & Hummus: Try this beet hummus recipe for a colorful addition to your game-day spread.

Chipotle’s Guacamole: My personal favorite guac recipe is available on Chipotle’s website!

Other Game Day Snack Ideas:

Popcorn: Cheap, light, and considered a whole grain. You could mix it up by using savory toppings like nutritional yeast, olive oil, or cracked pepper.

Greek Yogurt Dip: Keep it simple by just serving some vanilla Greek yogurt (look for varieties lower in saturated fat and added sugars). If you want, you could mix in some ground flaxseed, which is my favorite addition. Slice some apples (try this slicer) or make some fruit kabobs…maybe blueberries/blackberries, bananas, and raspberries/strawberries for team spirit!

Chili: A crockpot of soup is always a crowd favorite! Try adapting your favorite recipes by using a no-salt added broth and lean protein like 90% lean ground beef, ground turkey, or shredded chicken breast. Use fiber-rich legumes like beans or lentils and add volume with greens, and other veggies like onions, mushrooms, peppers, carrots, and/or zucchini.

Stay well and enjoy the commercials!