Except for half time, I don’t much like Super Bowl Sunday. OK, I’m a girl and I’ve never been into competitive sports, much less the contact variety. But it’s bigger than that.
It’s the junky nibble food you always find at Super Parties. I’ve learned how to maneuver the other holidays. They’re just gussied up meals, and as long as I’ve got a plate I’m not bad at portion control.
Super Bowl’s different. It’s a junk food feed lot. A day when the rules are suspended and calories don’t count. It’s OK to gulp and graze from mid-afternoon on—everybody’s doin’ it! Except, of course, it’s not true. Calories—like money—are always real. There are consequences.
It’s a proven fact we eat more watching TV. Throw boredom into the mix and my well –documented weakness for crunchy, salty, fatty things increases. To get my head into the reality of Super Party, I need to remember that fourteen tortilla chips (excluding 7-layer dip, and they’re hardly worth eating without it) are 140 calories. I can scarf that during the National Anthem. At that rate, it’s gonna be a long night.
I guess I’m not alone. The average 2009 Super Bowl viewer consumed 1300 calories. Even that number seems low until you realize (a) it’s the average, and (b) it doesn’t include beverages. Last year Super fans guzzled 11.8 million worth of beer alone.
But here’s the flip side. When you realize you need to consume an extra 3500 calories to gain a pound (or pare back 3500 to lose one), it takes more than one witless night to permanently affect the scales. I used to think running a marathon would lose me at least five pounds (actually, I still haven’t come to terms with how that can not be!). The simple fact is, we gain weight by consistently eating just a little more than we need to—day after week after month; and we lose weight by consistently easting a little less.
So: do I think I’ll gain a pound by eating Super Bowl junk food? No, but that’s idiot thinking. If I’m not in control, I could easily gain an eighth of a pound or a quarter pound. And day after day it all adds up.
So I’ve decided I’m going to eat like it’s just another holiday—a light breakfast and lunch, stick with teatime at 4:00. Around kick-off, I’ll allow myself a little junky pre-dinner nibble, followed shortly by a plate (note: plate) of real food—some chicken wings, raw veges and dip. Then I’ll enjoy some post-dinner cheese. All this and a little wine to make my heart glad. Because that, a couple of days of normal eating along with my Sunday and Monday morning runs, should eventually balance out the scales again.
You’re not alone, Pam. I like your strategy, and planning days ahead is another good idea. Nothing like coming to a party unprepared and then seeing all your favorite foods displayed — game over! Oh, by the way, I watch every commercial during the Super Bowl!
I’m a commercial watcher too. We figure it is only one day and like Pam, we’ll pay for transgressions.
Yea, I’m with you all on the commercials. But I do get into the game, eventually. I just like the Superbowl because it’s a reason to get together with your family and friends and have a good time.
I’m basically going to repeat what I’ve already said – because it’s all you need to know about this recipe. These are wings, just not as you know them. They are not fried. There is no butter. These are just incredibly tender and very fresh tasting. Mom and I had to hold ourselves back – we could have polished off that whole plate for lunch last week.
Now that I know wings can be healthy – essentially just oven roasted – I think I’ll try a few more flavor combinations. Mom and I proved that you can definitely have wings for lunch…and then again for dinner.
This year, we are doing BAKED wings, Baked potato wedges with olive oil, garlic and sea salt, a big “kitchen sink” salad and some steamed edemame along with some low fat spinach/artichoke dip and of course, queso dip because there are going to be kids around.
Hopefully I won’t over indulge if I start with a healthy plate of salad!
Just made your wings for the game tonight, although they weren’t as golden brown as your picture (I couldn’t start with a cold oven) they were succulent and just lemony enough. I’m not sure if I want to know…..but any idea about the calorie count? I’m coveting my lunch tomorrow, that is if my husband doesn’t eat them all
I don’t know calorie count. As you can see there’s only 2 tablespoons of oil for all four pounds, but wings do contain fat and I didn’t drain any off. Maybe check a basic roast chicken wing recipe for calorie count. With only 2 tablespoons of oil and 1 teaspoon of sugar, there aren’t that many more calories in this one.
BTW, starting the wings in a cold oven means the heating element is on nearly the entire time they cook. Setting the pan on the bottom rack close to the element means they’re simultaneously roasting and sauteing.
Glad you liked the wings. Good game this year, eh?
As a little update, I think we all did very well at this year’s game–food-wise. Plus, we were rooting for the Saints, so, you know how THAT turned out.
I think the key was: the food was in one room and the game was on in another. You could get a little plate of food and bring it into the TV room, but you had to think about it, get up, make your selections and come back. You couldn’t just graze and graze and graze. That’s exactly how I am going to do it from now on–I ate more veggies and hummus and WAY fewer chips. I even passed on the sloppy joes.
Well done, us