SATURDAY, Feb. 4 (HealthDay News) -- All the food and beverages
served at Super Bowl parties can make it a challenging day for
people who made a New Year's resolution to lose weight.
"We know January is the start of lots of new diets. But, then February starts and the first weekend is Super Bowl Sunday, one of the biggest eating days all year," Alenka Ravnik-List, a registered dietitian and diabetes program coordinator at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City, said in a center news release.
"Hours in front of the television can test our willpower. Too often people with good intentions will fail," she added.
However, by following a few rules you'll be able to limit the
impact Super Bowl Sunday has on your diet plans, Ravnik-List
said.
Start by making sure you eat breakfast on game day. Research has
shown that people who skip breakfast tend to eat more food than
usual at the next meal and munch on high-calorie snacks to ward off
hunger. It's also a good idea to have a light lunch so you won't be
famished by the time the game starts.
The game doesn't begin until after 6 p.m., so that gives you
plenty of time to get out for some exercise that day. During half
time, take a walk around the block or toss a football around in the
yard.
Use a medium-sized plate, about eight to nine inches wide, in
order to limit the amount of food you eat. Half the plate should be
loaded with colorful vegetables and the other half with lean
protein and whole grain starches. If you suspect your Super Bowl
party hosts won't offer vegetables or other healthy snacks such as
popcorn, bring your own, Ravnik-List suggested.
If you drink alcoholic beverages, choose those with fewer
calories and carbohydrates, such as light beer, champagne or dry
wine. For mixed drinks, use sugar-free mixes such as diet soda,
diet tonic, club soda or seltzer.
Instead of chips, use nutritious choices such as broccoli,
carrots, celery and tomato grapes for dips. Try lighter versions of
your favorite dips. Don't sit within an arm's length of the chip
and dip bowls or other snacks that you can't resist.
Limit what you eat during the actual football game. Try to eat
only during half-time and have a small snack after the first and
third quarters, Ravnik-List suggested.
More information
The American Academy of Family Physicians offers
nutrition advice.