Super Bowl Sunday ranks second only to Thanksgiving for eating in U.S.
The “snack down” nation has spoken, but we already knew the answer. Most Americans go above and beyond daily calorie intakes on the second-biggest eating day of the year: Super Bowl Sunday.
A Harris Interactive poll got a majority answer of munching, gorging and overall pig out when it comes to game day eating habits — second only to Thanksgiving in the United States with most food consumed in a 24-hour period.
Dips and spreads on chips topped the list of most wanted snacks, with that dish containing enough fat grams to give a person their daily allowance of calories in just a few bites.
With chicken wings, pizza and salty snacks rounding out the top four in the survey, the big game can turn into pounds of regret come Monday.
“A normal recommendation is 2,000 calories per day. On the day of the Super Bowl, they’ll get that in just a few hours unless they try to limit things,” said Mountain States Health Alliance registered dietitian Lisa Gilreath of the Health Resources Center of Kingsport.
The tradition of tailgate foods spread out over the course of the game day tends to make a person graze instead of having structure with their meals like they do during the week.
“This is a celebratory event, so people get together, and we equate celebrations with food,” Gilreath said. “The things we tend to want to eat and snack on at this particular event focus on foods that are higher in fat and calories like pizza, hot wings, fried foods, chips and dip, and alcohol. Fruits and vegetables and low-fat foods get tackled.”
A consumer will spend close to $70 on snacks and refreshments for a Super Bowl party, including potato chips. Game watchers will ingest 27 billion calories worth — that’s 1.8 billion grams of fat — from kickoff until the final whistle, says data from AdWeek.
Gilreath says having those indulgent items on the menu is not totally unacceptable, but you have to be willing to sacrifice calories or burn them off in the days before or after the big game.
“Watch calorie intake in the days leading up to the game if you know you’re going to enjoy some food that day,” she said. “Moderation can be done days before so on Sunday you can indulge a little more on the calories and you won’t deny yourself what you want. People can increase their physical activity before or after Sunday. You’re not going to burn the calories off in a few days, so prepare yourself for a workout regimen that will go at least two weeks. This is a regular calorie intake day times two in some situations.”
Soft drinks and beer, more staples of the get-together, can also double a person’s quantity of calories for the evening.
“Water is always a good alternative. It can also help suppress an appetite,” she said.
Gilreath suggested those in charge of making the Super Bowl party menu take the palates of all guests into consideration, adding fruits and veggies for a choice that is free of fat and grease.
“You can still have the pizza. Just cut down on the toppings and go with a thin crust. You’ve got room to compromise,” said Gilreath.
“Pile on the veggies on the pizza. That will make it a little healthier. If you have to get chips, consider ones that are whole grain and tortilla chips. You can get fiber that way. Salsa is actually chock full of vegetables, so that is one healthy dip you can consider.
“Instead of a sour cream base for a dip, try a yogurt base. Have a fruit tray or fruit bowl. People will actually enjoy having some lighter choices, and if you take a dish to a party, be the one who brings healthier alternatives.”
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