Can Football Game Food Be Healthy? Yes It Can!
By Donna Stark
Football season is one of the most enjoyable times of the year for so many people. It's a time of stadium seating, Sunday games in matching jerseys, and good-natured bickering, but it's also a time when unhealthy behaviors start to pop up out of nowhere. Have you noticed that your shopping list has grown due to the addition of all those extra Sunday snack requests? Do you spend a fortune at the games eating food that really isn't that spectacular? One of the biggest challenges a fan comes across during football season is how to navigate all of the food and snack options during the games, and if you struggled with that in years past, it's time for this year to be different!
Changing What You Eat
Go ahead and scream at the refs, but save some of that energy so you can make wiser choices when it's time to eat. Don't end this football season a few pounds heavier than when it started. Take a look at the following diet tips that can have you cheering for yourself along with your team both at home and in the stadium!
Choosing Wisely at Home
The good thing about watching the game at home is that you have total control over what type of food is served. Here are some suggestions on how to make those snacks healthier.
- Offer raw vegetables, baked chips, pretzels, hummus, and salsa
- Set out loads of fresh fruit in place of brownies and cupcakes
- Skip the extra calories from soda by creating an infused water station
- Choose baked chicken wings instead of fried ones
- Serve grilled chicken in place of greasy burgers or ribs drenched in sauce
- Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream
- Limit alcohol
Choosing Wisely at the Game
Want to know a secret? You can still eat healthily at the stadium without losing that "stadium experience." Sound too good to be true? Well, it's not! Check out the following tips.
- Go to the concession stands instead of purchasing food from the vendors walking through the crowds (they rarely have anything healthy to offer)
- Look for stands that offer wraps and salads (skip the creamy dressings)
- Choose lean proteins that are not drenched in sauce (grilled chicken, grilled fish tacos)
- Share your bounty of food with friends and family
- Choose raw almonds or unsalted and unbuttered popcorn to snack on
- Skip sodas and choose water
- Limit your alcohol intake
- Eat a nutritious breakfast and lunch before the game starts
Ending the Season on a Healthy Note
It's all up to you to eat healthily during football season, so become your own referee and cheer yourself on to better health! Now go ahead and pull out that team jersey. The game is about to begin!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Culver City, Calif.