Don’t Let the Super Bowl Snack Attack Ruin Your Resolution

HOUSTON (Jan. 26, 2010) – One chip, two chips, three chips, dip. Whether you’re a football fan or not, there’s a good chance you’ll be at a Super Bowl party Feb. 7. The Harris County Hospital District cautions you not to let those buffalo wings, chips or other snacks tempt you from your New Year’s resolution of losing weight or eating healthier.  

Sports parties are the ultimate snacking fest. Super Bowl Sunday is the second highest food consumption event of the year, second only to Thanksgiving. Super Bowl fans consume 11 million pounds of potato chips, 13.2 million pounds of avocados, 8.2 million pounds of tortilla chips, 4.3 million pounds of pretzels, 3.8 million pounds of popcorn and 2.5 million pounds of snack nuts every year, according to the Snack Food Association, an international trade association. 

Experts say that the key to sticking with your resolution is smart eating and portion control.   

“It’s a good idea to eat before you go to a party to lessen your hunger,” said Shaynee Roper, clinical nutrition manager, Harris County Hospital District. “Eat something such as a salad, half a sandwich or soup.” 

Once at the party, Roper suggests sipping water or a low-calorie drink slowly throughout the party and filling up on foods such as vegetables and fruit, which are high in fiber and low in calories. 

Before you eat, note everything that is being offered and decide what you will eat. Only allow yourself one plate, and go back for seconds on just fruit and vegetables. Healthier food choices can include whole wheat crackers, snack mixes, nuts and hummus. 

“If you’re worried about what to eat, take a snack to the party that you know you can eat and share it with everyone,” Roper said. “You can make a cheese ball with low-fat or fat-free cream cheese, or grilled chicken or beef kabobs.”

The Harris County Hospital District is the public healthcare system for the nation’s third most-populous county. It provides more than 1.4 million healthcare visits each year to residents of Harris County. The hospital district operates Ben Taub General Hospital, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, Quentin Mease Community Hospital, 13 community health centers, a dialysis center, a dental center, eight school-based clinics, 13 homeless shelter clinics and five mobile health units.