As the debate over President Obama’s healthcare proposal rages on, Taco Bell continues to give Americans exactly what they crave….melty, crunchy, spicy and heart attack inducing.
I know what you’re saying…Is it possible to eat healthy on Super Bowl Sunday? Did you know that:
Nearly one in eight or 13% of Americans order takeout/delivery food from a restaurant for a Super Bowl gathering.
Most popular choices of takeout/delivery items on Super Bowl Sunday are pizza at 58 percent, chicken wings at 50 percent and subs or sandwiches at 20 percent.
Approximately one in 20 (4 percent) Americans watch the big game at a restaurant or a bar, over 9 million Americans.
On Super Bowl Sunday, Americans will eat an estimated 20 million pounds of potato and tortilla chips and eight million pounds of avocados.
Sales for antacid increase by 20% on Super Bowl weekend.
After all these stats and being the Healthy guy that I am, I just had to throw out ideas that wouldn’t bust your gut.
After all, the beer consumption alone will do that!
So here’s some healthy Super Bowl ideas perfect for a hungry (wo)man’s buffet:
BAKED PITA CHIPS WITH HUMMUS & GUACAMOLE:
Recipe: Serves 6. Adjust accordingly.
1 packet whole wheat pita bread
olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
Preheat oven to 400 F.
Begin by cutting each pita bread in half and then into 12’s. Toss in a large mixing bowl with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp cumin. Place on oven tray in single layer and bake for 10 minutes approx. or until crispy but not burned. Remove from oven and set aside. (Yes, it’s that easy!)
Hummus (Smashed Chickpeas)
1 15oz can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
2-3 tbsp olive oil, divided
1 lemon – zested & juiced
1/8 tsp chili powder
2-3 tbsp cold water, divided
S&P to taste
Hummus is traditionally made with tahini but in my version I omit it as I prefer the simple taste of the chick peas and lemon. Tahini also has a high fat, high calorie content so in order to cut calories I do without it.
Drain the chickpeas and put in food processor. As they’re pureeing gradually add cold water & olive oil, alternating 1 tbsp at a time to blend. You want a smooth but not a runny consistency. Remove to a mixing bowl. Add 1/2 of the lemon juice, all the lemon zest, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp pepper and chili powder. Taste and add more lemon juice if preferred. I like my hummus zesty so tweak it to your taste.
A couple of other ideas for you are:
LAVASH PIZZA. This is a great healthy alternative to your regular thick crust pizza we all know. I’ve used both white and wheat lavash (fancy word for flatbread) so check your local grocery or specialty store. In the version above I made a roasted red pepper and tomato sauce and used part-skim mozzarella & fresh basil. If you want this recipe leave a comment here or on my site.
I’ve also made this with fresh basil pesto and blistered cherry tomatoes, click here for recipe. Both versions are damn tasty and perfect for adult or even kid gatherings.
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APPLE JICAMA SLAW. What exactly is Jicama? This is a light refreshing slaw that’s the complete opposite of a regular coleslaw that’s mayo based. The sweetness of the apple and the crunchiness of the jicama work brilliantly together and you can snack on this all day if you wanted.
So to answer my own question, yes it is so no excuses here people. I’ve got more football food up my sleeve at thehealthyirishman.com.
One step ahead of me? Let me know what healthy Super Bowl dish you’re planning.
The Healthy Irishman Fueling your body with healthy food. Fueling your mind with the wealth of health.
In the past few years, childhood obesity has grown from being a personal health issue to a public health issue.
And today, it is fast becoming a political issue.
Way back in the 1980s, this is what a fat kid looked like.
(Bonus points to anyone who recognizes Chunk from “The Goonies”)
Today, Chunk would almost be slim by comparison.
Not only are today’s fat kids fatter than ever, their numbers are swelling as well.
In 2006, the CDC said that “the prevalence of obesity among children aged 6 to 11 more than doubled in the past 20 years, going from 6.5% in 1980 to 17.0% in 2006.
The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 more than tripled, increasing from 5% to 17.6%“.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, research also shows that there is an 80 percent chance an overweight adolescent will become an obese adult.
But maybe, you’re not a numbers person.
If that’s the case, and this data isn’t enough to grab your attention, take a look at this train-wreck:
Clearly, we have a problem.
What to do, what to do…
Well, according to researchers from the National Bureau of Economic Research, a ban on fast food advertisements in the United States could reduce the number of overweight children by as much as 18%.
Should the U.S. pursue that path, they would follow Sweden, Norway and Finland as the only countries to have banned commercial sponsorship of children’s programs.
Let’s unleash Tipper on those evil fast food and television executives and our childhood obesity problem will disappear faster than the cake at a fat kid’s birthday party.
Okay, I just happen to have her private number right here….dialing……it’s ringing…….someone’s answering…..and…but….but….I see….well..but….ok…thanks anyway…
Sorry people, Tipper’s too busy helping her husband eliminate global warming to help us eliminate childhood obesity.
The BBC has reported that 83% of U.K. consumers “believed irresponsible marketing was making it harder to encourage children to eat well”.
The survey was conducted by Which?, the U.K.’s largest independent consumer organization.
The survey also found that “most of the 2,000 questioned want the government to do more to control the marketing of unhealthy food to children”.
Currently, the Brits have banned television commercials promoting junk food programmes aimed at children under 16.
Supporters of this survey are now calling for complete ban on junk food advertising on ALL programmes aired before 9 p.m. Additionally, they are requesting the government impose rules addressing junk food advertising on the internet and on packaging.
The ‘icing on the cake’ argument was offered by Clare Corbett, a food campaigner at Which?.
Corbett said “With childhood obesity and diet-related health problems on the increase, the government must take serious action and soon.”
To summarize:
Junk food is bad
Advertisers brainwash children into wanting junk food
Children pester their parents
Parents feed their children junk food
Children get fat eating junk food while watching television ads about junk food
The U.K.’s largest consumer protection group asks parents if the government should be doing more to keep their children safe from obesity
Parents overwhelmingly agree, demanding that the government solve childhood obesity by removing the offending advertisements.
Advertisers produce another survey indicating that “76% of UK adults believe that introducing a 9pm watershed on food advertising would not reduce the level of childhood obesity”.
The government is left to decide if banning all junk food ads on t.v. before 9 p.m. will win them the next election.
Your daily dose of reality
Junk food is bad
We are genetically disposed to prefer sweet, salty, greasy, calorie dense foods. We crave these things as a mechanism of survival. Genetics. Millions of years.
Advertisers know this. Food manufacturers know this. They sell us what we want. If we don’t want it, we won’t buy it. If we don’t buy it, they won’t sell it.
Every parent knows that feeding your children junk food while sitting them in front of the t.v. is guaranteed to make them fat.
What to do, what to do
Parents set the example for their children.
Stop buying junk food. Not just for your children, you too.
Stop watching t.v. Get outside and exercise. If it’s too cold, read a book.
Stop expecting the government to do everything for you.
