Did you know that Americans consume more calories on Super Bowl Sunday than any other day of the year, second only to Thanksgiving? The average American will eat over 2400 calories while watching the Super Bowl!

It’s astonishing. The over-eating is due to the vast variety of foods we serve for the game and the hours-long mindless munching.

This year is going to be different for you though.

You can still enjoy the game and the atmosphere and not go wild with foods that derail your weight loss efforts.

Here’s how to eat like a champ this Super Bowl.

PREGAME aka PRE EAT! – You never want to go into a tempting eating situation hungry!!!! Eat 100 calories right before you go. 

Don’t try to “save calories” for munchies at the game. This will ALWAYS backfire. Going hungry will assure you eat more than you could have saved by skimping on food earlier. Eat your normal meals at the correct times during the day.

Have a Plan – as to what you will eat and drink. Find out ahead of time, if possible, what will be served so you can make a plan. We do not make good decisions in the moment. If some of your favorites are being served, don’t be afraid to include some on your plate. This will help you stick to your plan. There are no bad foods, just bad portions, eat a reasonable amount. It’s ok if you end up eating more some days! 

Bring Something to the Table – to ensure you have something to enjoy that fits in with your goals: veggie crudites served with my top dip pick Trader Joe’s Spinach & Kale dip, shrimp cocktail, Butera’s Meatballs or a Skinnytaste app or main, like chili.

Serve Food AWAY From The TV  – Most Super Bowl celebrations are focused on the TV, so if possible keep the food in the kitchen or in an area where you need to get up and walk away from the TV to get it. Having the food within arm’s reach during the game allows for mindless snacking throughout the game. Put out plates near the food so that each person can deliberately choose portions before returning to the TV. If you still want something right there for guests who get hungry but can’t miss a minute of the action, have the healthiest snacks on hand by the TV, such as veggies or a fruit platter.

Stay AWAY From the Island! – You know that place where all the goodies are. Out of sight, out of mind. Sit your ass down somewhere far from the tempting high-calorie stuff. The environment is everything.

Avoid Compulsive Hand-to-Mouth Foods – Think chips, nuts, etc.

LIMIT BOOZE – Booze is the gateway drug to sh*tty eating. Decide beforehand what and how much you will drink. No more than 2. It’s always the third drink that gets you. Drink a full glass of water between drinks. Good choices include portion-controlled spiked seltzers, wine, lite beer, and hard booze drinks with zero-calorie mixers like seltzer and lime.

Leftovers – Get in the habit now of not accepting leftovers and not keeping leftovers if you are hosting. It’s often not the calories from the food we actually consume at the party, it’s the leftovers we eat for the days that follow. BETTER IN THE TRASH THAN ON YOUR ASS (or belly or thighs).

REBOUND From Setbacks – Eat or drink more than you’d planned. So what? Chuck it in the f*ck it bucket and move on. Just get right back on track at the next meal. It’s never messing up that gets us, it’s the CONTINUING to mess up that does.

Your body doesn’t care that it’s Super Bowl Sunday – it counts calories just the same that day as all the others, even if you don’t! 

Be mindful going into game day. Follow these tips so you can still enjoy yourself, your favorite snacks, and some drinks, and be focused on your weight loss goals. 

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