Super Bowl Snacks That Help Keep Your New Year's Resolution

With Super Bowl XLVIII right around the corner, hosts have begun to prepare their “epic” Super Bowl parties. The first thing that comes to mind, what to eat? The Super Bowl is one the biggest calorie fests of the year, which can put a dent in yours and your guests New Year’s health resolutions.

Gina DeVito, Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist for Forme Urgent Care and Wellness Center in White Plains, NY, is a lover of food and football who offers up healthier alternatives that will keep Super Bowl Party guests happy and healthy.

Gina specializes in weight loss management, diabetes treatment, and sports nutrition. She has experience counseling patients with a wide range of nutrition diagnoses, including obesity, lipid disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and autoimmune diseases. She has also provided nutrition services for bariatric surgery patients, prenatal women, children, professional and amateur athletes, and federal agents/law enforcement professionals. 

Gina’s Recommendations For Healthy & Great Tasting Super Bowl Snacks:

• Guacamole: Be sure to read the ingredients list- the freshest guacamole will have mostly vegetables and seasoning. Avoid products that use terms like “flavoring” or “dip” and beware of preservatives and sugars. 
• Popcorn: Air-popped popcorn is a super-light, inexpensive snack that’s great for guilt-free grazing. Try topping it with hot sauce, sprinkles of parmesan cheese, and/or sweet or savory seasonings. 
• Mini burgers: Choose 80% lean meats or better. Turkey burgers are a great option. Build these bite-size snacks on whole grain mini buns or in wraps with fresh veggie toppings.
• Hummus: Popular enough to have a variety of options at most grocery stores. Buying plain hummus and adding in your own spicy seasonings or diced veggies is another option. 
• Bruschetta: A simple, veggie-based topping for whole wheat crackers, cucumber slices, or toasted crostinis. Great when paired with other toppings like hummus and guacamole.
• Mini Wraps: Spinach and whole wheat wraps can be used in a variety of ways. Fill them with a lean meat or fish like turkey, chicken, or tuna and add lettuce, tomatoes and banana peppers. Leave them undressed and provide low-fat vinaigrettes or spicy mustard on the side.
• Salsa: A party staple with so many varieties. Mix things up by adding diced peaches or mangoes to a plain salsa for a sweet, unique twist.
• Trail Mix: Can be purchased mixed or you can buy the nuts and dried fruit of your choice and make it yourself. Make it extra sweet by adding dark chocolate chips and shredded coconut
• Antipasto Platter: For the healthiest option, call ahead and request to swap out some of the fatty meats and cheeses for roasted peppers and grilled vegetables for a more balanced platter. 
• Tortilla Chips: Baked and whole grain varieties are best. Choose plain, lightly salted chips and rely on dips and sauces for flavor.
• Greek Yogurt Dip: Bring a fresh fruit platter to life with a tangy greek yogurt dip. Nonfat, plain yogurt will be the healthiest option- add some sweetness by mixing in a small amount of honey or agave nectar. 
• Shrimp Cocktail: Add some protein to the table with fresh shrimp. Stick to cocktail sauce and lemon on the side to keep it low-calorie, as opposed to mayonnaise-based remoulaudes. 
• Chicken Wings: Broiling, grilling, or baking chicken wings is a tasty, yet healthier preparation method for this traditional football food. Lighten up the wing sauce by making your own and using less butter or simply use hot sauce on its’ own.
• Fruit Pops- Look for natural frozen fruit pops with no added sugar or blend frozen fruit to make your own for a refreshing treats! Whether purchasing or preparing, fruit should be the main ingredient (first listed on the label). 

About Gina DeVito:

Gina DeVito, RD, CDN, is the Registered Dietitian and Certified Dietitian-Nutritionist for Forme Urgent Care and Wellness Center in White Plains, NY. She holds a BS in Dietetics, Foods and Nutrition and completed her post-graduate dietetic internship through Lehman College. Gina specializes in weight loss management, diabetes treatment, and sports nutrition. She has experience counseling patients of a wide range of nutrition diagnoses, including obesity, lipid disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, and autoimmune diseases. She has also provided nutrition services for bariatric surgery patients, prenatal women, children, professional and amateur athletes, and federal agents/law enforcement professionals. 

Gina’s upbeat and instructional style has been honed by a diverse professional background. She has more than ten years of experience as a fitness trainer and group exercise instructor and holds current certifications as both a personal trainer and performance enhancement specialist. She also works as a private chef, engaging her clients in interactive cooking demonstrations and family meal planning. Gina uses a combination of her skills, experience, and creativity to motivate and uplift her clients. Her goal is to provide expert nutrition, cutting-edge research and education while promoting total health and balanced wellness.

For more information about Forme Urgent Care and Wellness Center, please visit: http://formeurgentcare.com/