Monday, February 7, 2022 How to take a mindful approach to Super Bowl snacking
Whether you’re there for the game, the commercials, or the halftime show, the Super Bowl is an American tradition. Arguably the best part of the Super Bowl is the snacks. There’s something for everyone; wings, nachos, chips, dips and more.
With many people making resolutions for a healthier lifestyle for the new year in January, it can be a challenge to balance new goals with favorite foods when the February game day rolls around.
- Don’t restrict yourself.
Your body needs nutrients all weekend, regardless of how much food you might choose to eat on Sunday evening. Even if you’re planning to snack a lot during the game, take care of yourself by still eating nutritious, fulfilling meals on Saturday and earlier in the day on Sunday. - Stop when you’re full.
Don’t restrict yourself but also avoid eating to the point of feeling ill. No one wants to spend their night or the next morning sick in the stomach. Besides, if you realize you aren’t satisfied after your first trip through the food line, you can always go back for seconds. - Don’t stress if you do overeat.
If you do eat past full, don’t beat yourself up or feel guilty. Take note of how you are feeling and why. Keep that in mind for next time. In the future, you’ll know how to care for yourself better. - Sneak in nutrients.
Your body may feel better if you sneak in some gentle nutrition to your snacks. Love nachos? Load up your plate with chips and queso and add some veggies too. NEED RECIPES? View these healthy snacks and meals you can make ahead of the game. - Focus on making memories with friends.
Five years from now will you remember a night spent having fun with friends or a night spent stressing about what you put in your body? Learn more about intuitive eating.
If you or your friends choose to drink, keep these safety tips in mind:
- Don’t drink on an empty stomach.
Make sure to eat plenty of food before you start drinking. - Count your drinks.
Track the number of drinks you consume throughout the night. Remember – a standard drink is 12 oz of beer, 5 oz of wine, and 1.5 oz (1 shot) of liquor, so if you fill a solo cup with ½ mixer and ½ liquor, you should count that as multiple drinks. - Avoid drinking games.
Drinking games encourage a lot of drinking at a fast pace. This makes it harder to know how you are feeling and if you really should keep drinking or if you should take a break. - Before the festivities begin, have a plan to get home.
If you are watching the game at a friend’s place, make sure you have a plan in place to get home safely. This could be walking, a designated driver, or an Uber/Lyft. - Don’t interrupt.
Don’t let your game day celebration interfere with the people around you; pay attention to your volume. - Try a mocktail.
It can be hard to get in the swing of things for the week after drinking on a Sunday night. Consider starting Monday off on the right foot by changing it up this year and trying a mocktail recipe.