Football feeding frenzy

Are your healthy eating plans likely to be kicked to one side during the World Cup? Whether you are a football fan or not, the few weeks of the World Cup games will most certainly impact on your life - and possibly your health too! Perhaps you are one of the fortunate ones who will go and watch live games, or maybe you`ll be roped into watching the games at one of the fan parks or another vibey venue or perhaps you`ll choose to invite friends and enjoy watching the games from the comfort of your couch.

Here are some quick and easy tips to make sure your passion and energy levels remain high during the games - and that you stay as fit and healthy as the stars you will be watching!

Watching live games away from home:

• Stay hydrated. It’s easy to experience the effects of dehydration (low energy; headache, false hunger) when you are cheering outdoors.

• Before the festivities begin, have a small snack that contains protein and fiber (like fruit with yoghurt or a handful of nuts or biltong). This way you’ll avoid blood sugar lows, especially if you start drinking on an empty stomach.

• If you eat correctly such as having a healthy breakfast and snacking regularly you will also be less inclined to over indulge on the not-so-good-for-you fast foods served at the sporting venues.

• Order only grilled items on the menus. Avoid the fried stuff.
• “White flour’ rolls, pastry, wraps provide many fast releasing kilojoules. If possible, eliminate the bread and order a salad in its place.
• If ordering pizza, eliminate the high-fat meats and go light on the cheese.

• Avoid too much of a booze bonanza. Remember that alcohol has plenty of kilojoules. One tactic is to alternate alcoholic drinks with sugar-free beverages or better yet, with water. Remember that too much alcohol can lead to increased hunger and dehydration.

Score points with guests at home.

Do your fellow fans a favour by making sure you offer plenty of healthy offerings such as:

• Keep a fruit bowl in sight or have dried fruit in small bowls (apricots, raisins, apple rings)
• Popcorn- an inexpensive healthy snack!
• Pretzels and whole wheat crackers
• Assorted vegetables with low-fat dips such as cottage cheese and salsas
• Platters of assorted lean cold meat, seafood, boiled eggs or low fat cheese
• Mini savoury muffins
• Lean biltong
• Sugar free cold drinks (and keep large water jugs close at hand too!

So don`t get caught offside over the next few weeks...do your preparation, have your game plan in place, and you will be in tip top form. When you`re equipped with a plan for healthy eating, your celebrations can be a success all the way to the final whistle.