Super Bowl Sunday

 

Whether you are a football fan or not, this Sunday is one of the biggest sporting events of the year. It has something for everyone – the biggest game of the year, popular musical performances, and entertaining commercials all wrapped into one afternoon that is celebrated at the Super Bowl Party. Infamous for its notoriously unhealthy finger foods, Super Bowl parties can be hard to navigate when you are trying to eat healthy. Even if you couldn’t care less about the game, when we are faced with tantalizing treats and junk food, we can’t help but be tempted. If you find yourself hosting or attending a Super Bowl party this weekend, you will find yourself faced with difficult decisions. Here are two ways to handle it:

 

 

1) Make it your Cheat Day! Kick back and enjoy the game, the party, the food and your loved ones. But remember to get right back on program 110% on Monday. No eating leftovers! 

 

OR

 

 2) Stay clean! It may seem easy now, but things can quickly fall to pieces when you are wrapped up in the excitement of the game, or bored by the sport and looking for food to entertain you. If you make the decision to eat healthy tomorrow, stick to it and plan now. 

 

Here are some healthy game time tips for this weekend:

 

1) Whether you are watching the game or more interested in the commercials, take some time to get up and move when there is a pause in the game or you want a break from the television. Get up and make your way around the party to socialize or just go for a good stretch.

 

 

2) Avoid eating absentmindedly. Whether you are eating clean or cheating, eat with intention. Beware not to eat out of boredom or because food is just sitting right in front of you. Try and find a place to watch from that isn’t within arms reach of any food if possible.

 

3) Start small. You’re going to be there a while, so there’s no reason to get ahead of yourself and load up on food and drink right away. If you are cheating, eat what you want to eat – don’t stuff yourself until you are sick just because it is there. If you are eating clean – stick to your meal and snack plan like any other day. Remember: it doesn’t always have to be about the food. The same goes for drinks: take it slow with alcohol and be sure to hydrate with water.

 

4) The best way to ensure that there will be a healthy option available to you is to provide one yourself. You can reach for your favorite Innovation meals and snacks such as Chicken Wings, Turkey Taco, Beef Stew, Turkey Chili, Pizza and more to nosh on during the game. Or, you can try one of these healthy swaps for some Super Bowl favorites:

 

Veggie Chips, instead of potato chips

 

 

1. Select your vegetable of choice, such as zucchini or beets, or even broccoli or green beans – anything that can be baked to be crispy and crunchy. Preheat oven to 300 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 

2. Clean and chop or slice the veggies into bite sized pieces. Use a paper towel to blot the veggies to be as dry as possible. 

3. Place veggies in a bowl with a drizzle of oil, salt, pepper and any other dry seasonings of your choice such as garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, etc. Toss the veggies to coat them.

4. Spray baking pan with cooking spray and lay out the veggies in one layer. 

5. Bake for 10-15 minutes then rotate the pan and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until edges start to brown. Remove from oven and let them cool before enjoying. Have them plain or you can dip in hummus or guacamole.  

 

Sweet Potato Skins, instead of loaded potato skins

 

1. Position oven rack in the top of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees. Bake sweet potatoes (number of potatoes depends on your needs) until fork tender, about 40-50 minutes. Let them cool completely. 

2. Cut the potatoes lengthwise and scoop out some of the flesh. Cut each piece in half. 

3. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cover baking sheet with foil and spray with cooking spray. Arrange potato skins (skin side down) on the baking sheet. Brush with oil and bake for about 20-30 minutes (until potatoes are slightly browned).  

4. Remove pan from oven. (Optional: sprinkle skins with light cheese and put back in the oven for a few minutes to melt cheese)

5. Let cool. Serve with toppings such as chives, onions, tomato, peppers, salsa, cilantro, and/or other dry seasonings. 

 

Buffalo Cauliflower, instead of fried chicken wings

 

 

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

2. Mix 2 tsps garlic powder, a pinch of salt, a pinch of pepper, 1 tbsp oil, and 3/4 cup hot sauce in a small bowl.

3. Add 6 cups fresh cauliflower into a large gallon-sized bag, pour the sauce into the bag. Shake until the cauliflower florets are fully coated. Spread on a baking sheet.

4. Bake for 20 minutes.

 

Flavored Popcorn, instead of party mix

 

 

 

1. Microwave a bag of low fat popcorn, or use a bag of Skinny Pop Sea Salt Popcorn. Place in a bowl and top with dry seasoning of your choice such as:

• • Italian seasoning (such as a mix of oregano, fennel, red pepper flakes, basil, sage, thyme, rosemary)
  • Old Bay seasoning, dried lemon zest, pepper and salt
  • Jerk, curry, wasabi powder or other dry spicy seasoning

 

~Love to Live Healthy with Josephine Fitzpatrick

 

Innovation Weight Loss and Fitness

8031 Jericho Tpke Woodbury, NY 11797

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