the super bowl is an excessive event. millions tune in, the half-time show is anticipated for months prior and commercials cost $175,000 per second. the event is over-the-top, the same probably goes for the average home-viewing party. and no super bowl party would be complete without food. lots and lots of it.
we asked dr. meghan scott, owner of mls nutrition and registered dietitian, to weigh in on the most common super bowl nibblies.
chicken wings
one of the most popular super bowl plat du jours, chicken wings are more often than not, deep fried. add the breading and dip, and you have yourself a good dose of fat and sodium. then there’s the fact that most people can’t stop at just one, so volume plays a role in how much of the not-so-good stuff you are putting into your body.
“if you were to take a plain old chicken wing it wouldn’t be a bad choice, but it’s all the extra things,” says scott. “think of how many wings people eat – it’s probably a pound, if not more.”
nachos
nachos are a classic party dish, perfect for large groups to snack on.
“i think nachos are a great example of a food that can be really good for you but turns into a bad choice,” says scott.
the usual toppings are beans, cilantro, guacamole, lettuce, jalapeño, tomatoes, olives, onions, sour cream, melted cheese, salsa and some kind of meat. while none of those things individually are particularly bad for you, put them all together, and the story changes dramatically. the average serving of nachos is about 300 to 600 calories, and has significant amounts of fat and sodium and just a little calcium. by the way, processed cheese doesn’t count towards a balanced meal.