Healthy Hollywood: Fab Food Friday – Celebrities’ Super Bowl Party Fever!

Everything is bigger in Texas.

No doubt the festivities will be supersized this weekend in Dallas as celebrities take over the town to celebrate Super Bowl XLV. Pamela Anderson, Diddy, and The Black Eyed Peas are all hosting red carpet events.

And, stars like Jennifer Aniston, Brooklyn Decker, and Adam Sandler are just a few of the VIPs in town to party.

So, if you didn’t make the party list in Dallas – no sweat. That shouldn’t stop anyone from having the most awesome bash – whether you’re a die-hard sports fan or just into the halftime show.

Super Bowl Day is reportedly the second biggest graze day after Thanksgiving. Celebrity nutritionist and author of “The 02 Diet,” Keri Glassman shares game day tactics to help us navigate game day’s feeding frenzy.

“Think cheerleader, not linebacker,” advises Keri. “Super Bowl parties can easily turn into a junk food fest and drinking danger zone. With tables of greasy snacks and buffets of high calorie foods, it’s easy to get carried away and lose count of munching, crunching and guzzling,” adds Keri.

Keri shares with Healthy Hollywood her rules to surviving the food fest without going out of bounds – and ending up with an inflated belly by halftime.

RULE #1:
Just because you are at a bar packed with frat boy look-a-likes, doesn’t mean you should drink (and eat) like one.

Beer and drinks of all kinds are staples at any Super Bowl party, and certainly contribute to game night atmosphere. Instead of going crazy or depriving yourself, sip smartly with these tips.

-Sip Slowly. Set a reasonable goal for yourself (aim to have half the amount of drinks you normally would), and pace yourself by chatting up your friends in between drinks. If you’re celebrating at a bar remember to steer clear of specialty drink made with sugary fruits juices and syrups. As a rule of thumb, if you can’t see through it, don’t drink it.

-Munch with Meaning. Common bar snacks like pretzels and salty nuts can add on calories quick, especially when nerves and mindless eating get in the way. Make the best of bar food by ordering grilled chicken and slicing it up like chicken fingers, order a chopped veggie platter and use a portion of hummus as a dip. Or, get your guacamole fix by dipping celery sticks instead of greasy chips.

-Stay Hydrated. Hydration is critical in combating the dehydrating effects of alcohol. Not only will drinking water keep your Monday a.m. hangover under control, but by slowing down your drinking it will also limit extra calories.

-Go Light. Many beer companies are getting on board with healthy game nights and now produce even lower calories beers with 55–65 calories instead of the traditional 120–170 calories.

RULE #2:
Calling all healthy hosts!

If you’re the one throwing the party, fill your buffet with healthy versions of old game night classics and set your bar with low calorie drink options like light beer and wine spritzers. Those who notice will be ever so thankful, and those who don’t – Well, we won’t tell.

Healthier Snacks –

Natural Nachos
4 whole wheat tortillas
1/2 cup guacamole
1 cup tomato salsa
1/4 cup chopped jalapenos

Cut into quarters, sprinkle with sea salt, and bake tortillas at 350 degrees F for 10 minutes. Top with guacamole, tomato salsa, and jalapenos.

Turkey Salsa Chili
2 tsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
3 oz lean ground turkey
1/4 tsp ground cumin
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/2 cup chunky tomato salsa
1 1/2 tsp coarsely chopped roasted cashews
1/4 cup canned red kidney beans

Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic and turkey. Cook about 3 minutes, stirring constantly to break up the meat and prevent sticking, until the meat is no longer pink.
Add the cumin, chili powder, salsa, and cashews, stirring to combine. Cook 1 minute. Stir in the beans and continue cooking 1 more minute, or until heated through.

RULE #3:
Make a game plan.

If you’re the guest, take a few extra steps in order to set yourself up for success.

-Pre-Game Fuel. Having a snack before kickoff (and before you get to the party) will help cut your hunger and help control indulgences and put at bay uncontrolled munching.

-Bring a Dish. This way you’ll have a guaranteed healthy option (like the dip above), a Super Bowl sized crudité or a lean meat and veggie packed sub. Your host will always appreciate a helping hand.

-Assess the Turf. Look around the room and identify danger zones such as the 7 layer dip or mozzarella sticks. Avoid that sticky situation by heading to a neutral zone, where you can catch up with friends and socialize without being tempted by high calorie snacks.

-Don’t Deprive. If you simply can’t resist the one time a year artichoke dip or the hot wings your friend makes, than indulge – in a conscious manner! Portion out 2 tbsp. of the dip or 2 wings… Then move on! Fill up the rest of the night on healthier options. Allowing yourself that one indulgence may just prevent you from overeating later in the evening and give you an extra dose of confidence for the night ahead.

For more nutrition tips, check out Keri’s website at www.nutritiouslife.com.

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