Top 9 tips to avoid Super Bowl stress eating

Here are my ideas regarding how to prevent Super Bowl stress eating because the big game is coming up this weekend which results in lots and lots of yummy food! Sure, pizza, wings and beer may be at your Super Bowl party, yet you can totally stay on track and eat some healthier game treats and not be stressed about food!

You don’t have to kill your healthy eating plan entirely. Plus, there are ways to eat better at these parties. If you are like me, you really don’t even care much about the game. Ha! I am excited for the food and for the commercials. Yes, I will most likely be playing Barbies with the girls or looking at recipes on Pinterest while Brian is asking if I am paying attention to the TV. Not. At. All.
You know the question. “Are you ready for some football?” What about, “Are you ready for the food that comes with the Super Bowl parties?” Don’t forget that some people don’t come to Super Bowl parties just to watch football. Noooooo, they also come for the food!

For some reason, the Super Bowl is synonymous with eating and eating a lot! Regardless of who you are rooting for, your stress levels will be through the roof. Most likely, you will de-stress by eating more. Plus, the food is always around so I bet you end up picking during the entire game! That is a great way to eat thousands of calories! Yes, more than your entire days worth.
Let’s be clear. I’m not saying you can’t serve hot wings at your Super Bowl party. If there was ever an occasion for hot wings, I would think Super Bowl Sunday would be it. My husband grew up by Drovers. Folks in Southwestern PA, you know what I am talking about. Enough said. Along side of those wings, however, how about offering some subtly healthier options?
(Here is a photo of Madilyn when she was 14 months old back in 2011 when the Steelers went to the Super Bowl. They lost but Madilyn still had fun!)

Check out my top 9 tips to avoid stress eating during the Super Bowl:
1. Survey your options. Don’t dive into the first snack you see. See what’s being served before you decide what to eat. Scan the entire table and don’t feel obligated to take everything. Ask yourself, “What do I really want?” If you want, contact the host or hostess of the party before you go and ask what is on the menu. You can also ask if you can bring anything that goes with the food theme.
2. Eat before you go to party. Don’t go to a party starving. Eat a hard-boiled egg and an apple, a banana with some peanut butter, a healthy pumpkin pancake toasted with a smear of almond butter or a slice of turkey. The protein will fill you up and help you not gorge yourself on junk food. You’ll be less likely to binge if you’re not overly hungry.

3. Treat appetizers as a meal. If you’re going to eat 600 calories worth of appetizers, know that that’s your dinner. Don’t expect to go home and eat a “real” meal too.
4. Eat and then watch the game. Don’t mindlessly eat, and try not to eat and make conversation at the same time. Try not to eat while watching TV. If your eating and drinking is spread out, you might not realize how many calories you’re eating. Get your plate, decide what you are going to eat, eat, and be done. Tell yourself you have had enough.
5. Buddy up. If you’re worried about eating too many sweets, share your dessert with someone else. You’ll eat less and not do as much damage.

6. Use a smaller plate. The bigger the plate, the more we feel like we have to eat. Don’t pile your food so high that’s it’s falling off the plate. Watch portion sizes.
7. Bring a dish to share with the group. If you bring something healthy, like salsa with vegetables, whole-grain crackers and light dip or a large salad, you know there’s at least one option for you at the party. Take small helpings of other dishes and load up on your healthier one.
8. Remember, it’s just a game. Don’t mess up all your hard work the other days just to stress eat during the game. Find ways to relieve stress during the game other than overeating. Toss a football around. Drink water. Do exercises at the party during half-time. Switch it up!
9. Move a little extra before the game. Exercise doesn’t have to be overly complicated. Take your kids for a long walk before the game. Get out all of their energy and have fun burning some calories!

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