9 Tricks to Survive Tailgating Season

By Alyssa Kessl, RDN, LD, Expert Dietitian

Music, team spirit, and endless calories: tailgating season is finally here! Saturdays and Sundays are filled with your favorite team’s colors and (almost) more importantly, the most food you’ll see outside of Thanksgiving. Beer, pizza, chicken wings, and delicious appetizers will fill up your plate, but they’ll also overflow your nutrition count.

For example, did you know that, on average, one slice of pizza and one 20 oz beer have close to 500 calories and 60 grams of carbohydrates?! Scary, right?

The last thing you want to do is put your hard work this week down the drain. Lucky for you, I have a few tricks up my jersey to help you survive tailgating season – and still enjoy it!

3 tricks to eating healthy

• Bring a dish! This will ensure you have at least one option to stay on your nutrition plan.
  • Think vegetables (carrots and broccoli) as dippers instead of chips, and include high protein foods like a Greek yogurt dip (keeps the creamy texture without the mayo calories).
  • Stick to lean protein and vegetables. Skip the buns or chips to avoid excessive carbohydrates.
  • For added festivity, you can even use fruits and vegetables that are your team’s colors. Or, you can make a Spiced Pumpkin Dip (recipe below) and serve it with sliced apples
• Drink water between adult beverages. This will help you stay hydrated and manage your calories.
• Take a walk. Visit your other tailgaters to get some much-needed steps in!

6 recipes that will fill you up (the good way)

• Love nachos? Try this healthier Bell Pepper Nacho Boats version.
• The Chopped Salad in a Cup is perfect for an easy grab-and-go salad.
• Want a team-colored option? Try this Fruit Skewers recipe.
• Swap out your high-carb potato salad for this great Cauliflower Salad.
• Have a pumpkin craving? Our go-to is the Spiced Pumpkin Dip.
• We all love buffalo wings, but they are heavy on the calories. Buffalo Cauliflower Bites lets you have that same great taste for less!

I hope you have a blast this tailgating season! For more nutritional advice, you can check out our other weight loss blog posts, reach out to us, or fill out our consultation form to get started in our custom-tailored weight loss and nutritional guidance program.

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