10 Heart-Stopping Super Bowl Foods

text size AAA By Wendy InnesΙ Published January 29, 2012

The Super Bowl is quickly approaching, and as parties are organized it’s easy to just serve the typical party foods that seem to be a staple at any gathering. But most of these foods are extremely unhealthy because they are loaded in fat, calories, sodium and sugar. Highlighted here are the worst offenders, to help Super Bowl party hosts make healthier choices.

1. Pizza

While it may be easy to just call the local pizza joint and order a few supreme pies, it’s really bad for the body. Pizza, especially from the big name chains, is loaded with fat, calories, salt and simple carbohydrates that will wreak havoc with blood sugar. If pizza is desired, it can easily be made at home, in advance with high quality ingredients, such as a whole grain crust, fresh sauce, fresh veggies and cheese and the like. In addition, if it’s made at home, toppings can be as exotic as you and your guests would like, which often is not available from the delivery pizza joints.

2. Frozen Potato Skins

While they might be convenient, these snacks are loaded with trans fatand calories. In just one serving of some of the most popular brands, there are typically 200 calories and 12 grams of fat per serving. Even more shocking is the fact that one serving consists of just three small potato skins. If potato skins are on the menu, the majority of the work can be done a day or two ahead of time, using fresh potatoes and low fat toppings.

3. Fried Chicken Wings

These are extremely popular during any party, but just one fried chicken wing contains four grams of fat. So imagine how much fat someone is eating if they have 10 wings, which is extremely easy to do while watching a great game of football. Instead, a better option is baked, skinless chicken breasts made at home. It’s simple to do and much better for the heart. For an even healthier option, squeeze some lemon on those chicken breasts and grill them with some fresh vegetables for some chicken kebobs.

4. Fried Cheese Sticks

Face it – fried cheese sticks taste so good they might as well be illegal because they’re a heart attack waiting to happen. One serving of these is just two sticks, and for that small amount of food, a person is eating 120 calories, half of those calories are from fat and they contain 6 grams of fat and 230mg of sodium. Unfortunately there is really no way to make these healthy, so it’s best to just avoid them altogether.

5. Jalapeño Poppers

Jalapeño poppers are a very popular party food, but they are really, really bad. These cream cheese stuffed peppers are breaded and fried, which just adds to the potential that after eating a few, someone will need a cardiologist. One serving of these fat bombs is just three peppers and they contain 280 calories and a whopping 19 grams of fat. These can be made at home, and the reduction in fat and calories is amazing. By using reduced fat cream cheese, egg beaters and baking the poppers these can be reduced to less than 62 calories and 3 grams of fat. And they won’t taste like the freezer.

6. Nachos

Nachos are typically loaded with all sorts of fat laden, high calorie ingredients making them bad for just about everyone. But there are ways to cut some of the fat and calories out of nachos. First, use baked chips. It’s easy enough to bake them at home, and they’ll be nice and fresh. Next use low fat ingredients, such as ground turkey, low fat cheese, and light sour cream. Other toppings such as green onions, tomatoes, black olives and even avocado are toppings that are actually good for the body, so feel free to load up.

7. Spinach And Artichoke Dip

While spinach and artichokes are certainly healthy, just about everything else in spinach and artichoke dip is not. It’s loaded with fat and calories, which is what makes it creamy and tasty, but terrible for the cardiovascular system and waistline. Instead opt of a healthier recipe that uses ingredients that are low on fat and big on taste.

8. Potato Chips

Potato chips are notoriously high in fat and sodium. Every ounce of potato chips contains 155 calories, 10.6 grams of fat and 149mg of sodium. Baked potato chips are considerably lower in fat and calories, but they can still be high in sodium. Since French onion dip is best avoided, skipping the potato chips probably isn’t a bad idea and without the dip, it’s likely that no one would notice if they aren’t there.

9. Soft Drinks

Soft drinks can best be summed up as 150 empty calories in a can. They are loaded with sugar and caffeine and are just plain bad for you. If a fizzy drink is desired, a much better option is the Italian soda or some carbonated water mixed with fresh fruit for a bubbly, non-alcoholic, juice cocktail.

10. Beer

When it’s time for the big game, the mass consumption of beer is sure to follow. Beer and football have gone hand in hand long since before people can remember. But that doesn’t mean you have to stick to an old, unhealthy tradition that can lead to binge drinking, poor liver function and alcoholism.

These are just some of the worst Super Bowl party foods; there are many more that didn’t make this list, so no cheating. However, whatever someone’s tastes are, there are always ways to make dishes healthier, and a healthier diet is good for everyone.