People attend tailgate parties, until they realize that partygoers eat too much. With hockey, football and other team events being around there is always a reason to celebrate. This means that our calorie intake is not always what it should be. The CNN article sheds a light on this.
Typical party foods
Common foods served at these parties are chicken wings, hot dogs, corn or potato chips, dips and beer. What is common in these foods is that they all make you gain weight in the shortest time. So the key is to change what you are eating before, during and after the game. Switch from high calorie foods to low calorie foods and eat more fiber.
Healthier food intake during parties
Put some avocado slices onto rye bread or spelt bread. I would suggest avoiding whole-wheat toast, as many are sensitive to gluten. Even if you are not, gluten stimulates your appetite for more food, which you want to avoid. A banana can be coated with peanut butter or almond butter. A Greek yogurt is a healthy lower calorie alternative to a rich dip. Have a calorie-low snack before the tailgating party. And bring your own low calorie food snacks to the party.
Healthier foods have fewer calories. Fill your plate half-full with vegetables and other plant-based foods. This will fill you with fiber. As a result you will eat less rich foods.
Define the end point
When have you snacked enough? If you wear a belt, you will tend to feel some tensions around your belt. That’s a signal that you had enough to eat. Others feel it in their stomach. Instead of just saying to yourself that you are full, act accordingly. Decide that this was the point beyond you do not wish to eat any more. From here on just sip on water, but leave the beer alone. Avoid sugary soft drinks as they just add more calories to your snacks.
Amount of exercise needed to burn off excess tailgate foods
The CNN article has a handy calorie converter that tells you how long it takes for you to burn off the extra calorie intake with various activities. For instance, 1/3 cup of Buffalo chicken dip takes 31 minutes of walking 3.5 miles/hour on a treadmill to burn of its 200 calories.
Partygoers Eat Too Much
Conclusion
Whenever we are tempted to overindulge in junk foods, it is good to plan your healthy snacks beforehand. Have an internal stop signal that tells you when you should stop consuming snacks. This may be your belt feeling tight or simply the feeling that you had enough food. From then on it is just water sips. You continue to socialize with others, but you are no longer consuming any of their snacks. If you come prepared like that you can handle any tailgate party. Nobody can fault you for saying “Thanks, it has been delicious, but I really had enough.”
