HEALTHY GAME DAY SNACKING

Healthy snacking and making good food choices can be difficult any time of the year, but it can be especially tough during the Super Bowl. Business Insider reports that only 80 percent of people who start a New Year’s resolution keep that resolution through February. This happens to correspond with the biggest football game of the year and the common food temptations that go along with it – chicken wings, chips and salsa, pizza, not to mention beer.

American Pistachio Growers interviewed Bryan Snyder, Registered Dietitian and Nutrition Director for the Denver Broncos, about a smart plan for staying on track during the biggest game of the season. Bryan’s best advice, “I advise people trying to eat healthier to follow a sustainable meal plan.”

Sustainable Meal Plan

Snyder describes a sustainable meal plan as one that allows some flexibility to have a meal here and there that might have a higher calorie intake. “I often see people go from eating a poor diet and choosing unhealthy snacks, in combination with not exercising, to all-of-a-sudden deciding to work out every day and eat perfectly every meal. The issue that can arise from that behavior is that it isn’t a sustainable plan, and it doesn’t allow any room for those Super Bowl snacks.”
Snyder’s recommendation is to find a nice middle ground. Allow yourself to sneak in some of those not-so-healthy calories on Super Bowl Sunday, but also give yourself some healthier options that you can have in order to keep a guilt-free conscience.

Pistachios

Snyder’s Super Bowl snack of choice? Pistachios. “Pistachios are loaded with antioxidants and fiber, which will help you feel full, prevent you from over-eating during the big game, and give you an immune system boost as well.” Other healthy options are pita chips with hummus, vegetables with vegetable dip, bison or turkey burger sliders, popcorn, baked sweet potato fries, or a cup of turkey chili. For those who can’t imagine Game Day without wings, Snyder suggests baking the wings instead of deep-frying to avoid some of the unwanted and unnecessary fats.
“Often we want to eat healthier, but we simply don’t know what to eat,” says Snyder. “All of these options are healthy swaps for satisfying Game Day enjoyment.”

Backup Plan

Snyder also recommends having a backup plan if you’re going over to someone’s home to watch the game, as this can be one of the biggest pitfalls to straying from a diet. “Don’t give yourself an excuse to eat poorly. Take along some portable healthy snacks – such as healthy bars, trail mix or pistachios – to be sure you have options so you won’t indulge in hours of unhealthy snacking.” While it is certainly understandable, and sometimes difficult to eat healthy during the big game, it is something that can be done with the right planning and preparation, according to Snyder. “One other common misconception about healthy snacking is that you have to sacrifice great taste,” warns Snyder. “Follow this game plan, and I guarantee that you won’t.”

American Pistachio Growers offers a large selection of flavored pistachio treats that you might want to try for your Super Bowl party. Buy your farm-fresh pistachios from Heart of the Desert, then check out American Pistachio Growers website for Applewood Smoked Pistachios, Thyme & Garlic Pistachios, Saffron & Vanilla Pistachios and several more recipe selections.

Happy Game Day Snacking!

Heart of the Desert is a working pistachio ranch and vineyard with four retail establishments in New Mexico. They are best known for their farm fresh pistachios and Award-Winning New Mexico wines. Each store offers wine and pistachio tastings. They offer worldwide shipping and produce attractive gourmet baskets that make great corporate and family gifts. The main store, on the ranch in Alamogordo, offers farm tours that showcases how pistachios are grown and processed as well as a stunning Tuscany themed patio that overlooks the groves and is available for weddings, private parties or enjoying a relaxing glass of wine.