VCU experts offer advice on a healthy Super Bowl 50 experience

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This weekend’s Super Bowl game pits the Carolina Panthers against the Denver Broncos. However, for those with health issues that warrant dietary restrictions, there may be yet another ensuing battle – what to eat and what not to eat at a Super Bowl 50 watch party. Faced with a game-day spread that likely will include popular but unhealthy snacks and beverages, smart snacking and portion control can be used to referee your choices, Virginia Commonwealth University Health experts say.

The VCU Health Pauley Heart Center’s Antonio Abbate, M.D., professor in cardiology, and Salvatore Carbone, instructor of medicine in the Division of Cardiology, offer practical tips on how we can enjoy the game-day experience, but not at the expense of our health.

What types of health issues should be taken into consideration when confronted with party style foods, such as chips, pizza, dips, typically offered during times like Super Bowl?

While we should all be careful about what we eat, one should be even more cautious if affected by heart disease, hypertension or diabetes. Pizza, potato chips, wings, soda and alcoholic beverages all include large quantities of carbohydrates (including sugars) and hence make it difficult for someone with diabetes to keep blood glucose levels under control. These foods also contain a high amount of sodium, which increases fluid retention, and raises blood pressure. Care should be given on avoiding high-carb, high-fat or high-salt pre-made dressing.

What types of recipes can be tweaked to make for a healthier dish?

Herbs and spices allow you to substitute or reduce salt with extra-virgin olive oil and vinegar, which can limit the use of salad dressing.  Choosing beverages that are sugar free, such as diet soda, or that have a low-sugar content (light beer) should be preferred to prevent accumulating a large amount of calories.

What can be incorporated into a Super Bowl spread to offer a healthy variety?

One or more portion of vegetables, for example, carrots, celery, salad and tomatoes, allow your stomach to start filling and lower the amount of food afterwards. 

Add large vegetable and fruit platters. Add a tasty dip with olive oil, vinegar and oregano, instead of the classic ranch dressing.  Add vegetables like peppers, onions and tomatoes to your favorite nacho dish. Use low-fat cheese rather than cheddar. Have sugar-free drinks and “light” alcoholic beverages in moderation, if preferred, and don’t forget how refreshing it can be to drink plain ice water. One or more portion of vegetables, for example, carrots, celery, salad and tomatoes, allow your stomach to start filling and lower the amount of food afterwards. Moreover, fibers contained in vegetables reduce the increase of blood sugar after the meal.

How important is portion control?

Generally speaking, moderation is always the right thing to do. Portion size plays an important role. Larger portions increase the risk to become obese. This applies to sodas and alcoholic drinks, as well. Eat small portions and eat slowly to allow your stomach to send a signal to your brain that it is “full.”

If a person does overindulge, what are some ways to rebound with regard to going back to a healthy lifestyle?

A very low-calorie diet or fasting after an episode of binge eating is not recommended as it may not really help because it is not sustainable, and it can occasionally be unsafe in diabetic patients, for example. Unless differently recommended by your doctor, everyone should have an exercise routine, and it should not cease during holidays or parties. If you make not-so-healthy eating choices at a particular event, the following day go back to your exercise and healthy eating routine. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and healthy weight, being physically active, and maintaining controlled blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol levels is a life-long goal, not a short-term goal.

What are some resources for those looking for heart healthy resources?

The American Heart Association (http://www.heart.org/) and the American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org/) websites are very helpful sources of recipes that can be consumed by healthy subjects, but particularly patients with heart disease and/or diabetes.

 

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