5 Healthy Tips for Enjoying Game Day Without Breaking Your Diet

Football season is coming to a close and we’re all ready to sit back, relax and watch the big game. While we all love fried appetizers, cold beer and hot wings, they can do some serious damage to your waistline. Don’t give up on your New Year’s resolution this game day! Stay on track with our five healthy, football-friendly tips.

1. Enjoy a pre-game activity

Before you sit down for the big game, consider doing something active to start the day off right. Don’t worry, you don’t need to have a full-on sweat session. Grab the family, head outside and get in the football spirit with a game of catch! Even just a short walk can make a big difference. Check out the Fitness section on The Leaf for healthy tips and tricks for staying active.

2. Choose your snacks and appetizers wisely

Fried food is a football game favorite. However, classic game day fare like mozzarella sticks, French fries and nachos are typically packed with calories and unhealthy ingredients. But not to worry! You can easily stay on track with delicious and nutritious recipes from The Leaf. Consider us your virtual recipe book for all things delicious! We have recipes for all of your favorites. We love making healthier fried food in the air fryer and diet-friendly alternatives for many popular snacks.

Don’t feel like cooking? Let Nutrisystem cater your game day snack menu! We deliver pre-portioned versions of favorite treats right to your door. Because they’re already in the perfect serving size, you don’t have to worry about overeating. Our Cheese Puffs and White Cheddar Popcorn are great choices for the big game.

3. Keep food in the kitchen

Out of sight, out of mind! Avoid mindless snacking by keeping your game day spread off of the coffee table and in the kitchen. By ensuring there is a good distance between you and that pile of delicious food, you can help ensure that you don’t go in for seconds if you’re not feeling hungry. Keeping the food on the counter will just add an extra barrier between you and too many extra calories.

4. Limit alcohol

We know, we know. There’s nothing like drinking your favorite ice cold beer while you’re watching the big game. But hear us out! You can enjoy a refreshing brew that’s lower in calories yet still delicious. Registered Dietitian and beer enthusiast, Mandi Knowles, taste tested a variety of diet-friendly beers to help us find the tastiest options.

When it comes to alcohol, moderation is important. You can enjoy up to two alcoholic beverages per week on Nutrisystem. We recommend spreading them out and enjoying them on different days of the week.

5. Use caution when ordering takeout

Pizza joints and fast food restaurants are popular picks for game day grub. From pizza and hot wings to tacos and barbecue, the temptation to indulge is real. Not to mention, restaurant serving sizes are often way more than what you should be eating! If you plan to order out this game day, be sure to consult the Nutrisystem Dining Out Guide. We offer plenty of healthy tips and tricks for different types of cuisines. We also provide suggestions for some of your favorite restaurants!