Football Fare Gone Healthy

Most of us will be watching some pretty exciting football games over the next few weekends. I will admit, that being from Wisconsin, I am a little more excited than some of you may be...GO PACK!  Regardless, if you're going to huddle around the TV with food galore, you may as well be making some good choices. Here are a few ideas/tips/tricks/recipes to make your Sunday its best!

* The biggest tip I can give you is to focus on what you CAN control and deal properly with the rest.

* If you're going to a party, offer to bring something. That way, at least you'll be in control of (and very comfortable eating) one of the dishes.

* If you're throwing the party, be specific with what you want your friends to bring. Maybe you make the dips and they bring the crackers and veggies. That way, you can be in control of what goes into the dips.  Or, you make the meats and request they make specific side dishes.  

* Consider a taco bar! With the right lean meats (ground round/extra lean ground turkey/ground chicken or even ground venison) and healthful toppings (nonfat Greek yogurt, tomatoes, salsa, lettuce, avocado, beans and maybe a little cheese), you're going be able to enjoy eating and have fun.

* Think about whether is it worth the calories, and then decide if you're going to drink alcohol.

* Weigh your options and look at how balanced your week was and determine if you want to cheat or not.

Dip suggestions

* Combine nonfat Greek yogurt with dry ranch seasoning. Eat with veggies or whole grain crackers.

* Consider making the guacamole recipe on the blog.

* Blend nonfat cottage cheese with a dip mix that you have. Enjoy with crackers or veggies.

Other thoughts

* Make buffalo chicken: Marinade chicken tenders with Louisiana hot sauce, serve with your ranch-yogurt dip.

* Make meatballs: Combine lean ground meat with onion soup mix, steak sauce, worcestershire sauce and soy sauce, form into meatballs, brown on the stovetop, add marinara sauce and simmer until ready to eat.

Use these suggestions, your own judgement, really look at your goals and how you're going to get there and weigh your options before going into this Sunday's get-togethers. What do you really want? The cause of your dilemma isn't the game, the company or the food...it is the opportunity. So, is your decision going to be a greasy burger and nachos or to feel GREAT on Monday morning?

In the end, isn't that what it always comes down to? Choice....