The Super Bowl is on Sunday. It’s an exciting time for Super Fans who want to see their Indianapolis Colts or New Orleans Saints climb to the top of the NFL. But as we all know, the game isn’t the only draw of Super Bowl — there’s also the food.

Wings, pizza, beer, chips, dips and all manner of fried, greasy and/or fattening food. Mmmm. After all, what is Super Bowl without the ultimate tailgating fare?

For those of us who are trying (and trying) to take a healthier approach to our diets, Super Bowl can be quite a daunting day. Maybe right up there with Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If you need some inspiration, check out this tidbit from a Popeater.com Q&A with actor Jason Alexander, the former Seinfeldstar who is the newest addition to the Jenny Craig family and has lost 12 pounds since January:

Popeater.com: The Super Bowl is coming up, and it’s a big food event. How will you deal with that?

Jason Alexander: The truth is, do I still like potato chips? Yes. Do I still like barbeque ribs? Yes. Pizza? Yes. Pretzels? Yes. All the crap at a Super Bowl party, they sing to my heart. That scenario alone, it’s a hard day. It would definitely be a hard day to walk into that environment and resist all those things. I make no bones about it. And I don’t have a magic wand for anyone in that situation. I know that right now the things that are making me happy are the way I look, the way I feel, the way I’m breathing, the clothes that are fitting, the things that people are saying to me, the relative speed with which I’m getting to goals. Those are so rewarding that I could muscle it through for a day at a Super Bowl party. And go, ‘You know what? I’m going to take my vegetable plate. I’m going to keep some of my treats for the day and take them into that party. And if I really, really have to splurge, I’m going to make a giant bag of air popped popcorn and go that route.’ Would you feel deprived? Absolutely … You know, I got to do all that stuff for 50 years, My body is not going to see another 50 years if I continue to do it. I want time more than I want a potato chip right now.

How’s that for motivation?

This season, instead of letting the food make the party, why not let your victory over the food make the party? Look at it as your own little Lombardi Trophy.

And to make the day even easier, why not substitute fatty foods for some more healthful options?

>> Bake your wings, don’t fry them. And do without the breading.
>> Instead of chips and dip, have some whole wheat pita with hummus or white bean dip.
>> If you’ve gotta have a beer, stick with just one (and a light beer, at that).
>> Nosh on a handful of raw almonds or cashews instead of a plateful of chips and pretzels.
>> Skip the barbeque ribs. Try flavorful mini turkey burgers instead.
>> Jonesing for pizza? Make your own with whole-wheat crust, reduced-fat cheese and lots of veggies piled on top.

As Jason Alexander points out, there’s always a healthier option (air-popped popcorn, anyone?) — and more reasons to not chow down on the bad foods than to give in.

Good luck! (I’ll need it, too…)

Source: http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com