Check out this week’s list of reader comments for ways to avoid penalties for overdoing it during the big game. And because Super Bowl snacks can turn into quite a spread, read up on strategies for staying healthy when hitting a buffet.

From Chicken Wings, Lightened Up:
“I make mine with chicken legs rather than the wings…more meat, less “skin” and more filling. I grill or broil, baste with the sauce during the last 20 minutes or so of cooking, and they are so much better than wings. And chicken legs are about half the cost of wings or less if they go on sale.” –Michelle

“They sound great! I’ll probably just use the red hot buffalo wing sauce…we love it. Try baking them and putting celery seed on them…YUMMY!” –Kristina, via Facebook

“I love them baked, then add BBQ sauce and grill until crispy.” –Lisa, via Facebook

“Here’s the trick: Dredge wings in a mixture of flour seasoned with adobo and chile powder. Place wings on a lightly greased cookie sheet in single layer and bake at 425 degrees for a half-hour. Flip wings and bake for another half-hour. Remove from oven and toss them in a large bowl with Frank’s Red Hot and chipotle-flavored Tabasco. TASTY!” –Beth

From Dining Out: All-You-Can-Eat Buffets:
“I walk around and look at all the food before getting a plate. Then I decide exactly what I want and don’t eat anything that doesn’t look wonderful. Rather than thinking of a buffet as an opportunity to ‘get my money’s worth,’ I look at it as a way to display many choices and then just choose a couple.” –Teri, via Facebook

TELL US: Have a food tip or creative cooking idea? Share it on the blog, Twitter or our Facebook page.

Super Bowl: A Heart-Wrenching Game
You might be pumped for Super Bowl Sunday, but did you know the game could be stressful on your heart? A study published in the American Journal of Cardiology found that the number of heart attacks went up when the Rams lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers during the highly charged 1980 game. However, when the Raiders easily beat the Washington Redskins in 1984, the level of heart attacks dropped. In addition to a stressful game, poor food choices and lots of alcohol may contribute to heart trouble come game time. Think about adding some healthier options to your Super Bowl spread — here are our favorite nibblers.

Top States for Heart Attacks
Speaking of heart attacks, if you live in the southeast, you’re living in the “Heart Attack Belt.” Studies conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that folks living in this region have the highest risk for heart attacks — Mississippi came in at the top. Southern states often show up on lists ranking American obesity and other unhealthy habits. Considering a high-fat diet, being overweight, high cholesterol and/or smoking increases your risk for heart attack, no doubt diet and poor choices are playing a part here. Find out where your state ranks.

Understanding Heart-Healthy Fats
We often use the term “heart-healthy fats” but do you know what that means exactly? It’s the unsaturated fats (mono- and polyunsaturated) — from olive oil, canola oil, nuts, fish and more — that studies have found to be best for your heart. Here’s a good explanation of what foods to pick up at the market so you get your fill.This month make a resolution to incorporate more of these foods into your diet.

Michael Pollan’s New Food Rules
The author of The Omnivore’s Dilemma and In Defense of Food is back with a new book — Food Rules: An Eater’s Manual. Oprah recently interviewed Pollan and he give tips on how to reduce processed foods and add more fresh foods to your diet. Pollan’s motto in this quick read is “Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.” I’ll be picking up a copy on my next trip to the bookstore.

Packaged Greens Loaded With Bacteria
New tests released from Consumer Reports show that packaged leafy greens (like spinach and lettuce) may contain certain harmful bacteria. How’d it get there? Courtesy of poor personal hygiene and sanitation practices (we won’t go into the icky details). A few tips to keep in mind if you opt for the bagged stuff: Buy packages that have a use-by date furthest in the future, wash the greens even if they’re “pre-washed” or “triple-washed” and make sure raw meat and poultry juices don’t get on your greens (a form of cross-contamination).

• Grilled Pita Triangles
• Warm Spinach and Artichoke Dip
• Spiced Cocktail Nuts
• Super Bowl (edible snack bowl)

• 30-Minutes Turkey Chili
• Mini Memphis Burgers
• Baked Jalapeno Poppers
• Beef Pops With Pineapple & Parsley Sauce
• Turkey Roll Ups
• Cuke-With-A-Kick Finger Sandwiches
• Chicken Wings, Lightened Up

• Cheesecake Brownies
• Lemon Ricotta Cookies With Lemon Glaze

More tips & recipes:
• Host a Healthy Football Party
• More Appetizers For Under 250 Calories

Looking for last-minute finger foods for tomorrow’s big game? Here are some basic appetizers and snacks that meet our Healthy Eats criteria and will wow a crowd.

• Chunky Guacamole
• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
• Broccoli & Cheddar-Stuffed Potato Skins
• Rainbow Veggie Skewers
• Devilish Eggs
• Five Layer Mexican Dip
• Chili Chips
• Boneless Buffalo Wings
• Soft Asian Summer Rolls with Sweet & Savory Dipping Sauce

What’s the secret to these finger-licking wings? Spicy hot sauce and cayenne pepper along with a guilt-free blue cheese dip. Serve them at your next party and your guests will be begging for the recipe.

Get the recipe>>

A food-filled Super Bowl party doesn’t have to sabotage your healthy-eating plan. Don’t sit on the sidelines and avoid food altogether — keep from overdoing it with these simple tips.

Warm-Up Meal
Not eating to “save calories” before a party is never a good idea. Skipping meals only makes you ravenous and may lead you to overeat come game time. Do the opposite — eat normal meals and snacks leading up to the festivities.

Bring Your “A” Game
To avoid a party foul, bring something delicious and healthy for everyone to enjoy. Friends might groan “Healthy?!” but healthy doesn’t have to be boring. Check out some Healthy Eats-approved suggestions for easy appetizers under 250 calories.

Stay Hydrated
Where there is football, there is beer. Don’t forget that alcohol has calories too! Choose light varieties (they have about 110 calories each) and alternate with water to cut the calories you drink in half and keep yourself hydrated. Learn more about the calories in alcohol.

Finish Strong
You don’t have to avoid all sweets, but beware of a well-stocked dessert table. Choose a small portion of one dessert so you don’t feel deprived, and fill your plate with fresh fruits to keep your hands and mouth busy during the game.

Victory Lap
Since you will most likely take in a few extra calories, schedule some extra physical activity the morning before or the day after the party. Why not some touch football, in honor of the day, with friends and family?

More recipes to try:
• Bacon Wrapped Shrimp
• Broccoli & Cheddar-Stuffed Potato Skins with Avocado Cream
• Five Layer Mexican Dip
• Chunky Guacamole
• Chili Chips
• Mexican Tortilla Pizza
• Rainbow Veggie Skewers
• Michelada
  ]]> http://blog.healthyeats.com/blog/2009/01/27/healthy-super-bowl-party/feed/ 1 http://blog.healthyeats.com/blog/2009/01/26/spotlight-recipe-michelada/ http://blog.healthyeats.com/blog/2009/01/26/spotlight-recipe-michelada/#comments Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:00:46 +0000 Dana Angelo White http://blog.healthyeats.com/?p=1284
  Want something more exciting than bottled beer for your game-day bash? If your friends are Bloody Mary fans, this Mexican cocktail might be a winner. Lime and hot sauce liven up the flavor without adding calories, and it pairs well with chili and guacamole.

  Get the recipe>>

  ]]> http://blog.healthyeats.com/blog/2009/01/26/spotlight-recipe-michelada/feed/ 2