For many dieters, events like this Sunday’s Super Bowl are about much more than football and commercials. If you started on a healthy eating plan January 1 and have yet to veer off course, a Super Bowl party provides its own challenges: What will you eat? How can you decline delicious options without seeming rude? Can you have fun at a party without worrying over calories and trans fats? The truth is you can still enjoy yourself – and your food – if you plan ahead. These tips will lead you to a guilt free Sunday.
1. Make smart choices all weekend: On Friday and Saturday, exercise a little bit more and eat as healthy as possible. This is especially important if the weekends are a time when you typically go ‘off’ your eating plan. Choose grilled food, less alcohol and more vegetables. Try to choose a physical social outing, like ice skating or bowling, so you are having fun while fitting in some exercise.
2. Plan ahead: If you are going to a party, search for a healthy alternative to a traditional Super Bowl food. If you know that salty snacks are your weakness, try making a new low-fat dip with pita bread. By finding a tasty dish that you enjoy, you won’t stare longingly at a bowl of chips.
3. Have a game plan: On Sunday, enjoy a fun workout, tons of water, and healthy eating throughout the day. Try having a late lunch so you won’t be ravenous when the game begins. Understand that healthy eating is not an ‘all or nothing’ mentality. You are allowed to have chicken wings and beer. If you have made other healthy choices, you will most likely strike a great balance.
Keep in mind that the Super Bowl and other life events like birthdays and graduations are meant to be enjoyed, not stressed over. When you wake up on Monday, it will be a new day for you to make healthy choices.
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