Super Bowl Party

When the trend of consuming a week’s worth of calories during a football game became tradition, I am uncertain. But what I do know is that it doesn’t have to be the gluttenfest we’ve become accustomed to.

Being that today is the big game, most of us have already got everything for our respective parties, and by party, either a viewing party with friends and family or a sulking, somber, sit-at-home-alone-and-watch-the-game party. But for those who will pick something up on the way to a party, or who haven’t gone shopping for the one they are hosting, here are a few tips.

Chips and dips. These are classic game-day consumption standbys. For a heart-healthy version without sacrificing any flavor except maybe the oil slick on the roof of your mouth, make guacamole with tortilla chips. It may seem odd to recommend a fried chip in place of a fried chip, but corn tortilla chips are a whole grain snack, and have about 1/3 less fat than potato chips. And the avocado is one of the world’s most perfect fruits, containing so many vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids, which makes guacamole a perfect swap for mayonnaise-based-ranch-style dips. And when you make your fresh guac with tomatoes (the diced, canned variety this time of year is best), onions and jalepeño peppers and a hint of lime juice, you probably won’t notice that you’ll get a serving of fruits and vegetables in at the same time. Or, you can always go with hummus, which will work great not only for tortilla chips, but a veggie platter too, and is high in protein and low in fat. And don’t underestimate slices of apples and oranges, neither of which require a dip, and are almost always a welcome addition to a buffet or snack table.

For a main dish this year, I am making pulled pork sandwiches, which consists of a topping of coleslaw. In order to cut the calories without sacrificing the wonderful flavor full-fat mayonnaise offers, I make my coleslaw about an hour or two ahead of time. This way the lemon juice has time to start to break down the cabbage, releasing a little extra liquid to make the mayonnaise stretch a little more. I usually use about half as much mayo as in traditional coleslaw recipes simply by making it ahead of time. Of course, if there is not enough, you can always add a little more mayo. I also use pork sirloin roasts, which are quite low in fat, but do require a little water added when the pork gets pulled to keep it from drying out. And this year we are making them with sandwich thins instead of hamburger buns. Another main dish option is chili, which is one of those one-pot dishes you can whip up quickly with a few pantry items and a few fresh items, throw them in a pot and let simmer away until you are ready to eat. Just add some homemade cornbread or muffins.

When you reach for something to drink, don’t skip the beer or wine, but maybe think twice about having more than one soda. A fruit punch made with 100% juices (you’d be surprised at how many fruit juices are only made with 10% juice and a ton of high-fructose corn syrup to replace the missing flavor) and 7-Up or Sprite make a great kid-friendly as well as adult-friendly option. And for those adult-friendly options, you could always throw in a shot or two of vodka if you like fruity, fizzy drinks. But the option so overlooked is water. Keep a filtering pitcher of water on the beverage table and refill as necessary.

But the most important part is to enjoy the day. So have fun watching the game, or the commercials, or for the rare viewer, both.