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A Healthier Superbowl, Because I’m Older Now

Doesn’t getting old just suck some days – like when you have to decide, are you going to blow it all or adapt your old eating habits to the healthier lifestyle you are working hard on.  I love junk food, really I love it, but I can’t go there full force anymore.  So I’ve decided to make the Superbowl just a little healthier.  These suggestions aren’t necessarily going to be lower in calorie, but maybe just a few little swaps will make it healthier for us in our old age.

• Tacos – Place all of the ingredients in bowls, then when making your tacos you can go lighter on the ingredients that have the fat and calories.
  Meat
  • Ground Beef – drain well, and then  rinse and dry it to get rid of the grease.
  • Chicken – swap the ground beef for chicken breast.
  • Vegetarian – you can use beans or a nice grain like barley instead of meat.
  • Bison – a really great substitute for ground beef.  So low in fat, there won’t be much grease in the pan when they are done cooking.

  Refried Beans – Go fat free or make your own.  Some of the canned beans can be cooked in oils or lard that are higher in cholesterol.  I’m experimenting with making my own and will post soon.
  Taco Shells – Substitute lettuce and make a lettuce wrap instead of a taco shell.  My family loves it that way.
  Sour Cream – Substitute non fat plain Greek yogurt for sour cream.  It’s a little tart and very creamy.
  Guacamole – Avocados are really good for you, and in season.  Go for lower fat by making your own and controlling what’s in your guac.
  Don’t forget the olives.  I was never an olive lover, but I’m throwing it on because they are also good for you.  Be careful of the salt content though.

• Twice baked potatoes -
  Sour cream – substitute non fat sour cream (not my favorite) or non fat Greek yogurt.
  Broccoli – I chop broccoli up small and add it as one of the ingredients.  It helps to cut down on the other fatty ingredients, plus gives you some nutrition and some fiber.
  Butter – I know there’s a butter/margarine controversy.  Brush on a little olive oil, or make a lighter spread by mixing melted butter and olive oil together.
  Cheese – Go low fat cheese.  I use less cheese also.  You don’t need to overload on the cheese to get a cheesy flavor.  Hard cheeses such as Gouda, Edam, Jarlsburg are good for helping to prevent certain cancers, so use them.

• Dips -
  Salsa -Keep plenty on hand for your chips.  Salsa is one of the best dips out there because it’s loaded with veggies and fat free.  I made mine in the summer and canned it, but you can also make your own salsa using canned tomatoes (no salt) at this time of year.
  Sour cream – once again I suggest using non fat Greek yogurt.  Dr Oz suggested it on his show and I thought it was a great swap.
  Skip the packaged mix and add in your own chopped fresh and dried herbs so that you can control what goes into it.
  Thicken it with low-fat cream cheese if you need to.
  Hummus – a great substitute for a sour cream dip.

• Veggies & Fruit – have plenty cut up on hand.  For our Christmas gathering, Deb ordered one of those fruit bouquets.  We noshed on that – just plucking out fruit and eating, no muss, no fuss, no bother.  Because it was simple easy and available, we had less of the junky stuff.  We decided next year to just order a fruit platter from the store to save on some of the cost, but we liked munching on it.

• Chips –
  When the low-fat – no fat chips first came out they were awful and cardboard.  There are some chips out now that are better tasting.  Watch the salt content too.  Some of those chips swap salt for fat.
  Pretzels are a good swap for chips.
  Low fat pita chips are tasty, but always read the fat, calorie and sodium stats.

• Chicken strips – We like finger food for the Superbowl, but it can be high in fat.  So, make your own chicken strips using a milk dip, bread crumbs with dried herbs, and place on a pan sprayed with canola oil spray.  Bake at 350 until halfway done, flip to finish.  Better for you than deep fried, and thick breading.  And if you are feeling adventurous and not so cold (8 degrees here) you can always barbecue those planks on the grill (or in your oven).

• Go light on the alcohol.  I know it’s Superbowl Sunday, but those drinks pack on the calories.  A little bit is fine, too much of a good thing, is not always a good thing (which is why stories of my husband’s behavior at the last Steelers Superbowl win are still circulating).

• Have a few fattening treats – like Nachos Grande, or deviled eggs.  While you don’t want a regular diet of calorie laden junk food, a treat is a once in a while type thing, that’s why it’s called a treat.

What healthy ideas or tricks do you use to keep yourself on the right path?

Enjoy and may the best team (STEELERS) win!

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