‘Tis the Tailgate Season
It’s football season again! For many football fans, tailgating can be just as much fun as watching the game itself. Unfortunately, though, many traditional game-day foods like chicken wings, potato chips, buffalo chicken dip and spinach-artichoke dip are loaded with calories and fat, making it easy to consume over 1,000 calories – half of what the average person needs for an entire day- during a single tailgate party! Consider these tips for attending a tailgate party – or any other party, for that matter – to enjoy the game and the food without feeling guilty later on.
- Have a healthy snack before you leave for the party so you don’t fill up on junk food when you arrive
- Take a healthy dish to share. Check out this slideshow of 32 healthy tailgating recipes if you need a new idea: http://www.myrecipes.com/healthy-diet/healthy-tailgating-recipes
- Check out everything that is available to eat before filling up your plate, then sample only the items that you want to try most.
- Keep MyPlate in mind and try to fill at least half your plate with fruits and veggies.
- Move away from the food once you fill up your plate so you won’t be as tempted to graze throughout the game.
- Don’t forget that alcoholic beverages also have calories, and they can add up quickly if you’re not careful!
- Try to drink a glass of water in between each alcoholic beverages, and choose water over sugar-sweetened beverages like soda, lemonade or punch.
If you happen to be the one hosting the party, here are a few additional tips that your health conscious guests will appreciate:
- Grill! Grilling is a lean cooking method, and it is not limited to the traditional hot dog or hamburger. Try grilling chicken breast, salmon burgers, meat & veggie skewers, and even vegetables. Zucchini, eggplant, asparagus and peppers are all delicious on the grill.
- Offer a colorful variety of fruits and veggies.
- Use plain, non-fat yogurt as the base for dips, dressings or spreads instead of sour cream or mayonnaise.
- Prepare salads with vinegar-based dressings to save on fat and calories.
- Serve fruit-infused water by adding cucumber, mint, lemon, lime or orange slices to a pitcher of plain water.
- If you are serving beverages other than water, offer club soda or seltzer water so that guests can enjoy a fizzy beverage without added sugar or calories.
Thanks to FLIP Board Member, Jenny Lobb, for these awesome tailgate tips! Enjoy your tailgating weekend and remember while being social to encourage others to help #FLIPcancer!!