Win big by losing calories on game day

(BPT) - Everyone knows the Big Game is not only about football and commercials, it’s also about gathering around an impressive spread of food and drinks. Game day is second only to Thanksgiving for calorie intake for Americans, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The average viewer eats much more than a day’s worth of calories on game day through traditional fanfare, like Buffalo wings, chili and beer.

As the Big Game approaches, the pressure is rising to keep those game-day eats as interesting as the advertisements. “Look for twists on fan favorites with fewer calories and your football friends won’t know the difference,” says Cristina Rivera, a registered dietitian, and consultant to food and beverage companies like Coca-Cola. “Regardless of who wins on the field, you’ll score some points with your family and friends by providing them with options to keep their minds on the game and off their waistlines.”

Here are a few of Cristina’s tips:

Tip #1: Make simple swaps.

Did you know? The Calorie Control Council estimates that during the game, Americans pack away 30 million pounds of snacks during this time each year. Get creative with your spread and offer fruits and vegetables. Serve heart-healthy dips like hummus or guacamole for a game day win.

Tip #2: Serve smaller.

Enjoying all the foods and beverages you love without going overboard may sound like a difficult task on game day, but it is possible. Serving smaller or “mini size” portions to your guests gives them their favorite without the guess work. Burger sliders, buffalo bites, Coca-Cola mini cans (also in Diet Coke and Coke Zero) and mini desserts are great portion-controlled options for your party guests.

Tip #3: Practice mindfulness.

Research shows individuals who eat while distracted take in more calories without realizing it. Being mindful of how much you eat during the Big Game can be as simple as plating your food rather than eating directly out of the bowl. If hosting, another great strategy is keeping the food station away from the television.

Tip #4: Score with a substitution.

They’re fan favorites for a reason, and no viewing party would be complete without wings, chili or dips. So, look for ways to substitute ingredients for versions with less calories. For example, season and bake chicken wings instead of frying them. Use ground turkey in your chili to save calories and your guests will hardly notice. Also, Greek yogurt is a great addition to cream-based recipes like spinach and artichoke dip - it also adds protein!

#5: Get physical.

On a day where eating and drinking is just as exciting as the Big Game, balance your energy needs by making an effort to move more. “Warm up” for game day by gathering friends to play flag football or have a ball toss. Or fire up the Wii during halftime or get a good old-fashioned game of Twister going.