Tool for Your Practice: AADE Super Bowl Game Day Tips for People with Diabetes

1.      Don't run a hurry-up offense when you get to the table:

a.  Wait to see all the hors d’oeuvres that are available and then decide to have the two that look the best to you

b.  Pick the most healthful choices -- shrimp cocktail, meat or vegetable skewers, and sushi

c.  Survey the entire table before you take any food. Decide what foods are worth eating and what can be ignored, and then stick to that decision. Why waste calories on foods that don’t bring you pleasure?

2.      Play the fundamentals of the game:

a.  Fill an appetizer plate with your favorite vegetables and enjoy

b.  Take a small spoonful of dip or skip it entirely

c.  At the buffet, concentrate on vegetables and greens; make lean proteins and starches your smallest portions

d.  Select chicken, meat, fish, or pork that is broiled, grilled, roasted, or seared

3.      Don't play on an empty stomach

a.  Eat a snack before you leave home. If you arrive at a party hungry, you’ll be more likely to overindulge.

4.      Do an end-run around the bread and rolls:

a.  Save your calories, so you can later enjoy other foods that are more nutritious

5.      Stay hydrated so you can make the big plays:

a.  Eat your calories instead of drinking them.  Stick to lower calorie or calorie-free drinks

b.  Sip a large glass of water between every alcoholic drink. This will help keep you hydrated and you’ll drink fewer calories by the end of the night.

6.      Don't eat like a line backer

a.  Drop out of the “clean plate club”. Leave a few bites behind every time you eat, especially if you are eating something you don’t really care for.

b.  Enjoy your favorite treats but take a small portion

c.  Watch your portion sizes. Don’t cover your plate completely with food.  In most cases, especially when it comes to party sweets and alcoholic beverages, less is better

7.      Go for the extra points:

a.   Allow yourself to have a piece of cake, decadent chocolate, or a delicious pastry—factored into healthful eating and living, you can include these as part of a good diet

b.  Taste a few bites of your dessert; if it is not delicious, do not eat the whole thing anyway