The big game is coming around the corner. Many of us have been waiting for months for this one gigantic event. The food served at Super Bowl parties is often just as much fun as the game and the commercials. You just survived all the goodies during the holidays and vowed to eat better after New Year’s. This one game has the potential to completely throw off your plan to eat healthier this year. Can you still enjoy the festivities with some low-fat snacks and drinks? Do healthy foods and Super Bowl party even belong in the same sentence?

First off, don’t go to the party hungry. Sounds like an oxymoron but eating a small fiber rich snack such as fruit, raw vegetables or whole wheat crackers before the party will actually help you. If you are not starving when you arrive you will avoid “grazing” by the appetizers. This mindless eating can pack on the calories in a matter of minutes.

Before you dig into the first thing you see, walk around the table and take a look. Instead of choosing fried foods, try filling up on raw vegetables, shrimp, nuts and fresh fruits. Keep your plate in check and don’t overfill it. Eat slowly because you can always return for more if you are still hungry. Stop eating if you are full.

Alcohol is usually a big part of a Super Bowl extravaganza. A beer or two is okay but the more you drink the more unwanted calories you will consume. Try drinking water in between alcoholic drinks to avoid excessive “empty” calories.

If you are the host, you can make some minor “tweaks” to make your party food healthier without compromising taste. Instead of ordering out for pizza consider making it homemade. You can control the ingredients much more by preparing it yourself. Swap out the greasy pepperoni with turkey pepperoni. Consider using grilled chicken instead of regular sausage. Adding green peppers will provide some great color and is low in calories. Top it off with low-fat cheese and you are ready to bake and eat.

Super Bowl parties and sandwiches go together like touchdowns and high fives. Have wheat bread as an option for party goers instead of white. Turkey sandwiches can be a great addition to the table. Have some low-fat mayo or mustard along with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles and the sandwich is complete.

Make fruit kebobs and be creative. You can make them look like a team’s logo or a big football. Anyway you serve it; fruit is always a winner and will keep your guests from thinking they are eating too healthy. Offer a variety of salsas instead of the creamy, cheesy high fat dips. Serve some baked chips to help lower the calories and fat per serving.

You don’t have to take calories away and make the fun go with it. The Super Bowl is a national treasure but you don’t have to eat your way through the whole game to have fun. Think before you eat and make smart food decisions while watching the game and root for your favorite team!