Neutralize your Game Day Menu

Let’s face it. Football Sundays (Thursdays, Saturdays and Mondays) can be taxing on the body. Rooting for your favorite team can lead to some serious stress and stomach acid, especially when you add spicy snacks and frothy beer to the mix. A Medical News Today study found when a fan’s team is losing they are 16 percent more apt to eat junk food.

We’re not suggesting you toss out the chili, sliders or guacamole from your buffet. But here’s a list of some foods you might want to mix into your game day menu to help neutralize your digestive juices so you can healthily nosh through the playoffs.

1. Serve up some team-themed fruits and veggies. An apple a day keeps the doctor away so you can give a healthy cheer for your team. It’s also great for memory, reducing stomach acid and more. Try dipping apple slices in caramel and serving them covered with team-colored sprinkles or plating upright-inspired carrot sticks.

2. Grilled not fried. Fried chicken wings are a game day favorite, but they are also full of fat and calories. Try grilling chicken instead with a delicious rub or marinade.

3. Have a healthy supply of nuts. Peanuts have long graced the counters at every sports bar, but when it comes to nuts, almonds are a delicious and healthy alternative to serve up at your football soiree. Rich in protein and essential fatty acids, almonds have been linked to promoting good heart health, which you’ll need when your team is pulling out an overtime win!

4. Offer a different kind of chips and dip. Instead of the traditional tortilla chips and salsa, try serving up hummus and pita chips. Rich in protein, hummus helps fight hunger cravings and balance blood sugar levels, to curb excessive eating that often happens at a football game or party.

5. Wash down your game day snacks with a healthy helping of high-alkaline, functional water. According to Dr. Ralph E. Holsworth, director of clinical & scientific research for Essentia Water, alkaline water can help neutralize stomach acid to balance the digestive tract, hydrate faster and reduce belly bloat. Less bloat leaves you room for eating more snacks and fitting into last year's jersey. If you’re planning to imbibe, try to have a glass of water for every alcoholic beverage consumed to reduce dehydration risks.

 

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post.