Be a Super Bowl Winner!

You can be a winner for the Super Bowl even if your favorite team doesn't win by following some of these great eating tips!

1. Drink plenty of water

If you are going to drink alcohol, drink equal amounts of water! Start with water as your pregame then alternate alcohol with equal amounts of water! Water with lime looks just like a vodka spritzer! And did you know that alcohol stimulates your appetite and causes you to want to eat more? Water helps keep you hydrated, regulates digestion and combats a sodium-heavy plate, and limits the non-nutritive consumption of alcohol! 

2. Use a small plate

It is easier to lose track of the amount of food you have eaten if you are reaching straight into the bag or communal bowl. Using a small plate to portion out your snacks will allow you to be more aware of your eating.

3. Exercise in the morning

Combat your couch time with a healthy and active morning. Get out to the gym, take a walk, or do a home workout before the party. You can also use timeouts, commercial breaks, or halftime to stand up, walk around and stretch your legs. Get up and dance for the halftime show!

4. Prioritize your favorite snacks

Don’t deprive yourself of your favorite comfort foods! Remember that you should make it a lifestyle, not a diet! Have a few wings, load up on veggies! You are not obligated to try everything on the table! What foods serve your body well? Also, sit away from the food! You will be more likely to eat unconsciously if you are near the food! 

5. Make a healthy alternative for the party

If hosting or taking a dish for the party, opt to make healthy items for people and hold on to the recipes! Most people want to try healthy things at home but are afraid they won't like them! They can sample at the party and I guarantee they will ask for the recipe! 

6. Eat throughout the day

Don’t show up to the Super Bowl party starving. Eat light, nutrient-rich meals throughout the day. Starving yourself beforehand will kill your willpower as you dive into the chip bowl and nachos!

7. Think about replacements

Use healthy substitutes like Greek fat- free yogurt instead of sour cream, salt free spices, ground turkey instead of ground beef, chicken in chili instead of ground beef! How about veggies and hummus dip along with healthier chips?

8. Stay distracted

Helpfully, the game will be close and exciting and will distract you from overeating! Socialize with your friends or family during the game away from the food or get up and move during commercials instead of eating! There will be lots of commercials so that could equate to lots of added eating!

9. Check in with yourself

Before starting, make a plan! Know what you want to eat and what you don’t. Commit to loving yourself! Make a deal with yourself! For every wing you eat, you'll have two veggies! Keep a check on yourself! Are you full? Satisfied? Do you really need more? 

10. Stay aware

Enjoy your food! Eat slowly and savor the flavors! Drink water in-between bites! It takes 20 minutes for the fullness hormone to kick in and connect with the brain whether you eat slow or shovel in the food! So eating slowly = eating less!

Holidays and special events like the Super Bowl can be difficult times to stay healthy because they are such food-centered events! But with practice, you can learn to have control over food and avoid food having control over you! 

 ????You can be a winner! ????