Snack vs. snack

There’s a hotly contested game in Arizona today. Actually, it’s all across the United States, as people make snacks to eat while watching the Super Bowl. The real contest, as viewed by NPR’s The Salt, is which game-day snack will will come out the victor. According to the article, over 1.25 billion (!) chicken wings will be eaten today. It’s also the biggest single day for pizza and tortilla chip consumption.

On average, game watchers will consume a whopping 2,400 calories, according to an organized called the Calorie Control Council–more than the total recommended daily calorie total for adults. The Council, along with the Center for Science in the Public Interest, is attempting to convince people to let healthier snacks take center stage on game-day snack trays.

CSPI’s press release states “There’s no rule that your Super Bowl party has to feature boring sporting-event staples like chicken wings, pizza, chips, and soda.” The organization recommends alternatives like veggies and hummus, roasted chickpeas, chicken lettuce wraps, and fresh fruit. CSPI realizes completely changing the game-day menu is a Quixotic feat; therefore they are striving for people to replace half of their snacks. Since the Super Bowl has an official hummus (Sabra), maybe the goal is attainable.

When you have a tailgate or game-watching party do you try to balance the heavyweight snacks with lighter fare? Or do you view it more like a one-time indulgence?

Photo of Game day snack board from indexed blog What’s Gaby Cooking