7 Ways to Enjoy the Big Game Without Ruining Resolutions

Remember those New Year’s resolutions you made a few weeks ago? If any of your commitments were related to eating healthier or getting more exercise, you might be nervous to host or attend a big game party this weekend for fear of overindulging. Don’t worry. You can still enjoy yourself without disrupting your healthy commitments. No matter which team you’re rooting for, you’ll be a winner if you follow this game plan:

 Spread the veggie love

Be that person and bring the veggie tray. Liven it up by getting creative. Arrange the veggies in the shape of a stadium or a football. Use celery slices for the football field and string cheese for the field lines. Or, you can arrange the veggies in the shape of your favorite team’s initials.

  Share some super snacks

Calorie-heavy foods are always present in a game day spread. Use our list of easy, delicious and healthy 200-calorie snacks to lighten things up. Whether you want to eat more veggies or cut down on sugar and salt, we’ve got a recipe for you. Check them out here.

  Start a friendly “fit wager”

There’s a lot of downtime in football, so why not initiate a healthy competition to get people moving? Have the party-goers separate by the team they’re rooting for. Each time the other team scores, the opposing side has to do as many push-ups or sit-ups as the current score.

  Get moving before the game

Work out before the party to minimize some of the damage those extra calories will cause. It’s ok to indulge a little bit, so don’t feel discouraged if you decide to partake. Just be mindful of what you’re eating. That being said, the hard work you put in earlier may inspire you to steer clear of temptations. Don’t forget to hydrate.

  Choose your seat wisely

Don’t sit by the food. We know that’s easier said than done because it’s everywhere. If you can, move the junk food away from focal points like the TV or coffee table. When you’re focusing your attention on something like a big screen, you’re more prone to snack and not realize how much you’re eating. If you must have food around, bring the veggie tray close so you’ll be more likely to reach for the healthy stuff.

Switch up your chips and dip

If you must have dip as an appetizer, use veggies instead of chips or crackers. You’ll dodge the extra calories and sodium found in chips or crackers and still get a bit of crunch from the veggies. Try using celery or bell peppers to scoop up some delicious buffalo chicken dip, which is my personal favorite.

 Fourth quarter fruit tray

Yes. Be that person. Skip the desert and bring out the fruit tray the final quarter of the game. Aim for a variety of color and textures of fruit. Apples, bananas, oranges, pears and pineapples are in season in the winter. Pro-tip: add the apples and bananas last on the tray or dip them in a little lemon juice to help prevent browning.

At the end of the day, a little indulgence is alright as long as you do it in moderation. We hope these tips make it easier for you to enjoy game day, and if you do overdo it, just remember that it’s a marathon – not a sprint. It’s all about a lot of little choices that lead to big results.