"Super Bowl Sunday is the second highest day for food consumption," says Lisa Cimperman, RD, clinical dietitian at University Hospitals Case Medical Center, "right behind Thanksgiving Day." The unofficial American holiday at the beginning of February includes food and drink and, coupled with the fact it comes just as everyone's defense for New Year's resolutions begins to tire, is a recipe for caloric catastrophe. "If they're the type of person where one bad day is going to throw them off track, Super Bowl Sunday might be that day."
The over/under for calorie consumption is 1200 for the average Super Bowl party-goer, easy to do since five ounces of Doritos at 700 calories constitutes more than half that total. Cimperman suggests calling an audible, substituting some menu favorites for healthier choices, like grilled chicken tenders instead of chicken wings, and limiting the amount of food you eat. "My biggest tip for Super Bowl Sunday," says Cimperman, "is make yourself a plate of all the food you're going to eat and stick to that one plate."
Cimperman also recommends getting right back on your healthy diet Monday to minimize the effects of super feasting on Super Sunday.
Super Bowl Winners:
- One Plate of Food
- Tacos and Turkey Sliders
- Guacamole with Fresh Vegetables
- Grilled Chicken Tenders with Hot Sauce
- Bring a Healthy Dish to Party
- Alternate Lite Beer with Glass of Water
Super Bowl Losers:
- Graze
- Doritos (5 ounces = 700 calories)
- Creamy Dips with Chips
- Chicken Wings
- Only Choose from Host's Options
- Unlimited Drinking
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