Tips for a healthy tailgating season

The month of September signals the start of something we have all been waiting for since January ... FOOTBALL SEASON! The Cowboys officially kicked off their season Aug. 31 and for the next few months every home game will bring football, family and, of course, food.

Tailgating is part of the fun of football season, but can also put a snag in healthy eating and mess up the normal eating flow.

Nutrition is all about balance, so having some “unhealthy” food once a week is not the end of the world, but to make tailgating healthier overall, here are some useful tips:

Be Prepared: Come stocked with water and some healthier snacks so you aren’t tempted to completely fill up on junk food. Also, do not skip meals during the day with the intention of making it up at the tailgate. This will help you eat less and decrease the amount of unhealthy food intake.

Stay Hydrated: Between alcohol and salty foods, staying hydrated is key to health. Also, drinking enough water will also keep you from eating as much.

Cook: Grilling steak, burgers, chicken or shrimp as well as vegetables can offer better options than packaged and processed food.

Set Rules For Yourself: Limit yourself to a certain number of plates or desserts and decide on that number beforehand. Tell yourself you will have two bottles of water for every glass of alcohol you have. Find someone to do this with you so you can keep each other accountable.

Get Moving: Play cornhole, toss a football, walk around to talk to friends, play fetch with your dog, or simply try not to sit down in a lawn chair all day. This will keep you from just sitting around and snacking as well as help increase your physical activity.

Even if you aren’t a tailgater, football season usually means extra time spent in front of the TV with plenty of snacks, or possibly running kids back and forth to games and practice.

​Be mindful of the snacks you are enjoying and the on-the-go meals you and your kids are eating in this busy sports season. Of course, enjoy fall and the football, food and family that come with it, but remember that healthy food and plenty of water will keep you and your family energized and ready for the holidays!  

Lauren Abbott