Healthy Swaps for Superbowl Sunday

Superbowl Sunday is an exciting time filled with plenty of drinks, snacks, and celebrating! One day of overindulging can make you feel bloated and uncomfortable, leaving you to start your work week lethargic and hungover. Not exactly the best way to stay motivated on your health track the remainder of the week. 


Although plenty of people will be smothering their plates in nacho cheese and kicking back bottles of beer, there are a number of easy ways you can make healthier swaps during the game. 

Top Ways to have a Healthy Superbowl Sunday

Make healthier snacks.

Chips, pretzels, chicken wings, and nachos are all fine and dandy, until you feel the heartburn and bloating afterwards. There are plenty of other options for healthy superbowl snacks! Try these ideas: 

  • Set out crunchy vegetables like carrots, celery, sliced cucumbers and peppers, and plenty of healthy dips like hummus or fresh salsa. The water-heavy vegetables will keep you hydrated, and the crunch will satisfy the snack cravings.
  • Make sweet potato bites. Slice sweet potatoes into rounds, and line them up on a cookie sheet sprayed with olive oil. Roast at 400 degrees for 10 minutes, then flip and roast for another 10. Serve topped with shredded cheese, a dollop of plain Greek yogurt, and chopped green onions. 
  • Take whole wheat wraps, and fill them with ham, thinly sliced apples, and dijon mustard. Roll them up and slice into one-inch sections for serving. 
  • Make spicy chickpeas instead of serving chips or popcorn. 

Serve soup rather than slices.

Pizza is a very heavy food that’s difficult to digest. Instead of ordering pizza, make a homemade hearty soup or stew. Make a Crockpot of chili or Spicy Mexican Chicken Soup, with plenty of fresh toppings like chopped cilantro and avocado, and remember the True Lime for sprinkling!

Swap a beer for a mocktail.

If you decide to drink alcohol, swap out every other drink for a mocktail instead. Make a big pitcher of True Lime Mock-arita to share. You’ll be less prone to mindless snacking when your inhibitions aren’t lowered by alcohol, and much more hydrated at the end of the day. 

Add your own fitness to the game.

During commercial breaks, do a wall-squat or plank competition. When it’s halftime suggest that everyone go outside to toss a football around, or simply go for a walk. Suggest that every time there’s a field goal, everyone has to do 10 push-ups. Make movement a fun part of your game-day tradition! 


If you do decide to enjoy some of your favorite seasonal (and indulgent) snacks or drink a few of your favorite beers, remember to enjoy the occasion! Don’t beat yourself up for making those choices, but instead, set yourself up for success by mentally planning to get back on track the next day, whether through meal planning or by drinking plenty of water. With a little determination and positive self-talk you’ll be back in line with your health goals in no time.   

Resources

Overhiser, Alex and Sonja. “Healthy Superbowl Recipes to Wow Your Friends”. A Couple Cooks.