You ate what? TAKE A LAP — OR 20
Super Bowl activities that will help you burn off the calories
The Super Bowl has become much more than a football game: It’s the second biggest day for food consumption in the United States after Thanksgiving.
So, to help you choose the most splurgeworthy foods, here are the exercise equivalents for some of your favorite football snacks from Charles Platkin, PhD, MPH, public health advocate, editor of DietDetective.com, professor at Hunter College and director of the New York City Food Policy Center.
Two slices of Domino’s pizza, ultimate pepperoni hand tossed crust, large (720 calories) = running 109 football fields
Fit Tip: Get thin crust pizza with veggies and eat it for lunch, not just as a half-time snack.
A handful of peanuts (1 ounce/166 calories) = coaching football for 35 minutes
Fit Tip: Peanuts are packed with nutrients, and they contain a large amount of protein, which helps to keep you feeling full longer. But they’re also very high in calories. Don’t keep a huge bowl in front of you. And try to eat one at a time; don’t shove a handful at a time in your mouth.
One potato chip with French onion dip (70.5 calories) = 30 minutes of singing along to Coldplay and Beyoncé during the halftime show
Fit Tip: Try popped or baked-style chips, and make your dip with low-fat mayo or nonfat yogurt.
Two bottles of Budweiser beer (290 calories) = 267 touchdown dances in the end zone
Fit Tip: Try sampling a few very light beers before the game to see which ones you prefer.
Five tortilla chips topped with seven-layer dip (280 calories) = 60 minutes performing in a marching band
Fit Tip: If you make the dip yourself, try using low-fat cheese and sour cream and black beans, not refried. Or you could always switch to salsa: 2 tablespoons have only about 15 calories. Also, go for light or baked chips instead of fried.
TGI Fridays baby back ribs, rack (900 calories) = 90 minutes of cheerleading
Fit Tip: Try making them yourself, trimming all visible fat before and after cooking. Also, instead of coating your ribs with an excessive amount of sauce beforehand, partially cook them loaded with seasonings, brush them lightly with the sauce, and then finish cooking.
Five Buffalo chicken wings with hot sauce and blue cheese dressing (599 calories) = 102 minutes of refereeing the game
Fit Tip: Use the hot sauce without the blue cheese, and make the wings yourself. Go skinless, and bake them instead of frying.
Two pita chips with guacamole (76 calories) = 65 minutes of praying for your team to win
Fit Tip: Don’t sit with a big bowl of chips and guac in front of you while you mindlessly watch the game.
Two handfuls of Smartfood white cheddar cheese popcorn = 34 minutes climbing the stadium stairs
Is popcorn healthy? Yes, it’s a whole grain and can be a great snack. However, if you add butter and lots of other high calorie toppings it can lose its health status.
Fit tip: Try air-popped popcorn or make it with cooking spray in a pan covered with a lid or screen.
Just six Doritos chips (76.5 calories) = 18 minutes of cleaning your house after a Super Bowl party
Fit Tip: Look, if you have only a few chips, you’ll be fine. But eating just a few is something you have to worry about any time you open a bag of chips. Don’t sit with the bowl in front of you.