So, you’re all set for Sunday’s big game: Favorite team jersey? Check. Big screen TV? Check. Ingredients for the buffalo chicken cupcake? Check. Favorite stretchy PJ pants? Check!
After scarfing down all the delicious (read: fattening) Super Bowl treats, your favorite jeans will likely be a little snug come Monday morning. After all, Super Bowl Sunday is the second biggest day for food consumption in the U.S. after Thanksgiving, according to the USDA. Between game-day favorites like chicken wings, pizza, and beer, Americans will consume an average of 1200 calories during the game alone.
So how do you battle the post-game bulge? Exercise! But if you’re not up for the boring ole’ treadmill, lunges, or jumping jacks, try Dr. Charles Platkin’s football-themed exercise alternatives:
Assistant professor at CUNY School of Public Health at Hunter College and founder of DietDetective.com, Dr. Platkin tells HLN he practices “healthertainment.” In other words, he makes being healthy fun. That’s why he came up with these exercise equivalents to help burn the calories from some of your favorite football snacks.
“It’s not meant to be a killjoy and not have people eat during the Super Bowl. The key is to think before you eat and splurge wisely,” Dr. Platkin told HLN.
Dr. Platkin even has tips on how to make your favorite foods healthier. Don’t want to be caught dead Tebowing in front of your friends? Skip the cheese and pile on the veggies on your pizza. “Also, avoid personal pan and stuffed-crust pizzas: The thick, oily crust equals added fat and calories,” he says.
Check out the full list of big game calorie costs here.
Based on the routines above, which game-day snacks are worth the calories to you?
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