Kids Fuel Up and Play at Super Bowl XLVII

Super Bowl XLVII was game for the history books, with the Baltimore Ravens barely outscoring the San Francisco 49ers, 34-31 in the final minutes.  Weeks before the players ever hit the field, New Orleans was doing what it does best- entertaining the crowd anticipating the big game. To my pleasure, I was a part of the celebration as a  volunteer at the NFL’s annual traveling interactive theme park known as the  NFL Experience.

The event spanned more than 850,000 square feet and provided visitors of all ages with an opportunity to test their football skills in fun interactive attractions. The kid-friendly NFL Rush Zone, offered scaled-down versions of games and attractions for children 3-10 years old. For older kids, ages 6-12, there was the NFL PLAY 60 Youth Football Clinics, featuring football drills run by former and current NFL players, I spent my time here.

Over two days, I assisted with six clinics ushering in over 300 kids through our Fuel Up to Play 60 clinics. Youth were energized to participate in football drills with their favorite players. As a registered dietitian, I appreciated the underlying message the NFL players and clinic taught. Today’s youth are overweight and undernourished. If current trends continue, our children may have shorter life expectancies than parents. It’s a problem that’s as serious as it is solvable- if we work together.

Fuel Up to Play 60 is a unique program created by National Dairy Council and National Football League that encourages students to “fuel up” with critical nutrient-rich foods missing from their diets- like low-fat dairy foods, fruits, vegetables and whole grains and “get active and play” for 60 minutes daily. The kids left with more than an autograph, they learned it takes good nutrition and exercise to be their best and play like a pro.

Rebecca A. Turner, MS, RD, LD

Time to Tailgate

Are you ready for some football?  Fall has arrived, bringing with it cooler temperatures, changing leaves and the excitement of football!  In the south, you don’t think of football without thinking of tailgating.  For many football fanatics, fall weekends are spent tailgating before (and after) the game.  Unfortunately, much of the traditional game day fare can be loaded with calories and low in nutrition.  Before you touch down at a tailgate this year, make a healthy substitution for a high calorie appetizer or dessert with one of these delicious, nutrient rich recipes.  You will score big points on taste and nutrition!

• Mozzarella and Pepper Salsa– Make a pass on high fat dips and run for this vitamin packed and calcium rich salsa.  The cheese serves up protein and calcium, while the red peppers provide an excellent source of vitamin A (to help you see the players better) and fiber.  Kick in more fiber and nutrients by serving it with whole grain tortilla chips or crackers.
• Pumpkin Pie Dip– Skip the calorie laden desserts and take advantage of fall flavors with this pumpkin dip.  Using Greek yogurt as the base, this dip scores big with protein and calcium.  Greek yogurt is an excellent substitution for higher fat ingredients such as sour cream and mayo.  It provides the same taste and texture with few calories and more nutrition.  Serve this dip with crisp apples or low-fat ginger cookies.
• Blueberry Cheesecake Tartlets– Another way to avoid a dessert fumble, these decadent dessert bites are only 35 calories per tartlet.  They are so rich a creamy everyone at your tailgate will do a touchdown dance.

How do you lighten up your favorite tailgate dish?

Laura Buxenbaum, MPH, RD, LDN

Avoid a Diet Blitz this Football Season

It’s finally beginning to feel like fall here in the South. There is the slightest chill in the breeze, pumpkin spice lattes are being featured in cafes, Halloween costumes are for sale and most importantly, football is on TV.  And with football come tailgates and the foods of the season.

Don’t feel like you have to show up to tailgate parties in a football helmet complete with face-mask to prevent inhaling thousands of calories. Instead, enlist my first string tips to get you through the season as a health MVP:

Get Your Head in the Game

It’s easy to mindlessly munch on goodies while you’re socializing and watching the game. Practice mindful eating at parties by truly paying attention to what you are reaching for and consuming.

Think “Quarter Back”

Literally. Try to control your portions by just cutting back a quarter of what you normally serve yourself at parties. Research shows that portion control is one of the key pillars for successful weight management.

Sub Your Main Players

Try subbing out the higher calorie ingredients for those that pack more nutrition per calorie. The next time you’re in the grocery store, take a look at the number of lower calorie ingredients for your favorite tailgate dishes, such as my personal favorite, Cabot Light Cheddars.

Now, go out there and get in the game!

Lanier Dabruzzi, MS, RD, LD

 

 

 

Ready, Set, Tailgate on the Plains

As the mother of an Auburn University sophomore, I can now use visiting my daughter as an excuse to attend each and every home football game the AU Tigers play.  You see, I bleed orange and blue and love yelling for the Tigers.  On game day, you will find me close to the coliseum, under a white tent talking non stop football with old college buddies.  I have learned that tailgating is an art which requires a great deal of organizational skills. If you plan to entertain, you must plan. For a feast that scores with your family and friends, try my top 5 tailgating tips:

1. Pack a variety of drinks: In addition to traditional cold tailgate beverages; remember kids (and adults) love the taste of flavored milk. Flavored milk rocks with 9 nutrients, just like white milk.
2. Serve dips that dazzle: Use Greek yogurt in place of sour cream in your favorite recipes to lower the fat and bump up the calcium. Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt and dazzles in this taco dip with fresh veggies and baked chips.
3. Create gourmet topper station: Whether you grill hamburgers or hotdogs, fans will rave about a fresh ingredient station. Toppings like provolone or hot pepper jack cheese, fresh tomatoes, lettuce, coleslaw, purple onion, jalapeños with whole grain buns will have your guests asking for more.
4. Buy single serve: Everyone likes a few chips, but no one needs the excess calories. To avoid mindless snacking, purchase variety single serve packs that keep calories in check with 110 calories or less.
5. Finish with Fruit: Sliced pineapple, watermelon, strawberries, grapes and cantaloupe make a nice side to most sandwiches. Also, these nutrient rich fruits high in vitamin C and water content will help hydrate you after a long exhausting game.

What’s your game plan for a perfect tailgate?

Mary Martin Nordness, MA, RD, LD, CHES