5 Ways to Stay Healthy this Super Bowl Sunday

No doubt Westwood will turn into a ghost town this Sunday at 6:30 p.m., when our New England Patriots take on the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI. 

While we all want to cheer on our team in style, Super Bowl parties can be a nutritional nightmare.

So, here are some tips that will let you indulge, yet not feel bloated and all around yucky on Monday morning no matter the outcome of the game:

• Warm Up – Embrace your inner athlete. Get out before the game for a walk, jog, bike ride or impromptu game of touch football. By kickoff you will have earned yourself some extra calories not to mention will be loosened up and ready for some serious cheering.

• Get Your Fluids – Combat the dehydrating qualities of chips, dip, pretzels, pizza, wings, and beer with lots and lots of water. If you do nothing else to prevent the Monday blues do yourself a favor and drink a glass of water after each quarter!

• Veg Out – Whether you are hosting the party or attending one as a guest, make sure you provide a plate of veggies. Super bowl party menus rarely include vegetables (unless you count the tomatoes in salsa) yet people are apt to nibble on them if available. Besides when people get nervous or anxious they often seek something crunchy to bite down into so why not trade that chip for a carrot stick.

• Beef Up – Rather than noshing on nachos and beer all evening seek out some lean protein. The combination of fat and slow burning protein in deviled eggs and turkey chili will fill you up faster and prevent you from overeating.

• Go Long – Place all food out of the TV room. By having to get up and miss a play, people will naturally eat less. The added benefit for the host is that people are less apt to spill when enthusiastically cheering, meaning less messes to pick up post-game.

• Most importantly - Go Pats!