On the weekend of the Big Game, living rooms, basements and kitchens could be filled by 62 million football fans gathering to watch, according to the most recent data from the National Retail Federation. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also notes the bowl game day as the second biggest food day for Americans, right behind Thanksgiving. To help fans avoid the penalties that can come with a 2,400 calorie football party feast, the Calorie Control Council (CCC) took a look at a sample party spread and offered pre-game tips make better nutritional decisions while celebrating.
In the past, the Calorie Control Council reported on a 1,200 calorie snack menu (potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels, popcorn, nuts). This year, the Council looked at a heavier food spread. A relatively modest consumption of foods and beverages in a game day party menu, including pizza, chicken wings, potato chips, beef nachos and beer or sodas, adds up to more than 2,400 calories and 121 g of fat according to the USDA National Nutrient Database — more than most should eat in a single day. The Council’s list of popular items on the menu, with calories and fat gram counts, is located below. Regardless of the menu, Americans can cut the calories on game day by eating healthier. (*Foods and beverages named in a recent NPD Group survey.)
ITEM | SERVING | CALORIES | FAT |
Pepperoni Pizza | 2 slices | 596 | 24.3 g |
Regular Beer | 3 cans (12 oz.) | 458 | 0 g |
Sodas (regular, not diet) | 3 cans (12 oz.) | 420 | 0 g |
Tortilla Chips | 3 servings (11-13 chips/svg.) | 418 | 18.3 g |
Potato Chips | 3 servings (11-13 chips/svg.) | 465 | 31.9 g |
Cheese Dip | ¼ cup | 73 | 5.5 g |
Seven Layer Dip | ¼ cup | 76 | 4 g |
Fried Hot Wings w/Bleu Cheese Dip | 6 wings | 570 | 40 g |
Pigs in a Blanket | 5 | 650 | 40 g |
Beef Nachos | 1 serving | 430 | 25 g |
BBQ Sandwiches | 1 regular sandwich | 437 | 16 g |
Meatballs | 4 | 160 | 12 g |
Veggie Tray | 4 celery sticks w/ranch dip | 69 | 7 g |
Brownies or Cake | 2 brownies (4” square) | 447 | 30 g |
Cupcake | 1 cupcake | 200 | 9 g |
The CCC recommends pre-planning your game day menu to include lower calorie appetizers and beverages. When it comes to recipes, it is possible to cut the calories without cutting the flavor. Football fans can check out Calorie Control Council’s game day menu ideas to find a list of low-calorie recipes perfect for your party as well as the Calorie Control Council’s lower calorie recipes.
The Calorie Control Council recommends the following tips:
Do you have questions about low-calorie sweeteners? Want to learn more about maintaining a healthy lifestyle? You asked and we listened. Our resident Registered Dietitians answered the most popular questions about low-calorie sweeteners.
