Healthy Super Bowl Ideas
Football fan? If not you will probably find yourself watching the game, even if only for the commercials. Everyone loves a good party to gather with friends and eat YUMMY food. If you read that
and automatically thought "it's a trap!" you are not the only one! Going to a party or hosting a party can really put a dent in your healthy lifestyle, especially the timeless "football food". One does not eat healthy whist watching sports! It is a time for good food, good friends (or foes if they do not root for your team), and good fun! Nibbling on cellery sticks in a corner while all the other fans gorge themselves silly does not sound like fun... which defeats the purpose of a party.
Even if you order out from a "pizza place" or make a lavish football spread there are ways to trim the calories and still have a fabulous delicious time! Here are some tips to keep the fun and taste going while rooting for your favorite commercial, um, I mean team:
1. Cut the carbs on the staple of "football food", pizza, by making the crust out of cauliflower. Check out these Cauliflower Pizza Cupcakes, perfect party hand-held size for jumping up and down cursing/routing for the Eagles.
2. When ordering from your local pizza joint:
-- Steer clear of fried foods!
-- Cheese steak: ask for no roll and pull it on lettuce. You can add mushrooms and peppers (avoid onions they are not on plan) for more green in your meal. To make it even more healthy get a Chicken cheese steak.
-- Chicken sandwiches are a good option; also ask for it on lettuce instead of a roll.
-- Burgers. Once again ask if they can make it a lettuce wrap or place it on lettuce. You can add mushrooms and peppers (avoid onions as they are not on plan) for more green in your meal. Sometimes they have a turkey burger or chicken breast option as well.
-- Swap out fries/chips for a side salad. I have asked for a side of grilled mushrooms before. Look at the pizza toppings... if they have broccoli on any pizza they can probably make it a side.
-- Salads -- everyone knows these are healthy right? Well it depends on the dressing and toppings. Avoid carrots, onions, fruit, and croutons; add grilled chicken, steak, egg, or cheese for protein. Have fun with it so it i not just another boring salad, this is the SUPER BOWL! It does not have to be just lettuce, add spinach, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, broccoli, olives, and/or mushrooms. One of my favorite salads that most pizza places have is Caprese Salad: Fresh Mozzarella, ripe red tomatoes, fresh basil, mixed greens & balsamic vinaigrette and add grilled chicken for my lean. Yum!
-- If all of their "fancy name" burger/salads/sandwiches/whatever aren't quite right (have stuff you can't have), don't be afraid to ask for what you want, you are the customer, there is no need to pay for something you don't want!
3. Instead of ordering, make your own Bleu Burger Lettuce Warp.
4. Instead of fries pair your meal with Cheesy Cauli-tots.
5. Another staple of foot ball food is Buffalo Chicken. Check out this Creamy Buffalo Chicken Bake from Sandy's Kitchen.
6. OR try Low Carb Buffalo Wings with no breading from Step Away from the Carbs that she make in a crock pot.
7. Chips? Who needs chips when you have your crunchers? Make sure to keep your Medifast replacement meals on hand!
8. Ok, I may need some chips! Try zucchini chips!
-- Cut a zucchini in thin
slices and toss in 1 tbsp of olive oil, sea salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with paprika and bake at 450F for 25 to 30 minutes. Bonus: Paprika not only flavors these chips but it boosts metabolism, reduces your appetite, and lowers your blood pressure! SCORE!
9. OR you can use Kale for chips.
10. Volunteer to bring a dish to a party so you know there will be something there you can eat. This will also avoid the awkwardness of having to bring and eat your own different food.
11. Shrimp cocktail is a party fave that is totally on plan!
12. and last but not least... IF you do over indulge this day, make it a one day thing. Don't throw the healthy lifestyle out the window because of a hiccup; get right back on plan the next day! Go get'em tiger!
