Pour la Bouche: Getting Married

Sure, tailgating is a blast. Who doesn’t love hanging outside a stadium with your favorites drinking cheap beer and eating junk food? (No, seriously, who doesn’t love that?) The same can be said for football parties: wings, burgers, chips, dips, Silver Bullets. All delicious; all diet destructive.

So what’s a healthy eater to do when faced with the tastiest of temptations? First, breathe—especially in between your bites. Next, steal my three tips for a (almost) guiltless Football Sunday.

1. Be prepared. If I know I’m going to an event where food will be served, and it’s not a formal sit down dinner, I always offer to bring a salad. It’s easy to make and ensures that you won’t find yourself sustaining on beef sliders all night.

Also, a great trick to portion control at food–centric events: Fill half your plate with salad (or veggies if they’re an option) and use the rest of the space for sampling tasty treats. You are not at an all-you-can-eat buffet—hate to break it to you. If you stick to snacking on the protein-rich options you’ll find yourself full in no time. As my co-worker always says, “Everything in moderation”

2. Be a little sneaky. If you’re hosting a football party, there’s no reason why you can’t make a few subtle substitutions to your dishes that your guests likely won’t even notice. (Their waistlines, however, will.)

Let’s slim down nachos, shall we? They’re pretty much a given at any good football party—and I know you’d only throw a good one. For a healthy makeover, try substituting reduced-fat cheese for the normal. (As a cheese connoisseur, and someone who has done this before, go with reduced not fat-free, which lacks taste and texture.) Next, hide your regular sour cream in the back of the fridge. Buy a small container of Greek yogurt (in 2 percent or zero) and a lemon—squeeze, mix and serve. Finally, up the protein by adding beans and, if you’re topping with meat, try lean-ground turkey instead of beef. Tell no one.

3. Be booze-friendly (if you want to). You don’t have to drink at football parties, but if you’re like me, you’re going to indulge in a least one. I’m not a huge beer fan, so on occasions where I’m invited to parties that I suspect will be offering up an overabundance of hops, I bring my own. You already know I swear by Skinnygirl Margarita, so that’s what I’ll typically bring. (Unless, of course, I’m feeling fancy—then prosecco is my go-to.)

And worry not—if you think you’ll want to drink or eat something different than what’s being served, it is totally appropriate to bring your own beverage or appetizer to share. Your host will appreciate it and you wont be “that guest” sitting on the couch being picky. Yup, you know the one.

What are your secrets to staying fit during football season?

This article previously appeared on Currency. (Please excuse the stock photo!)