Get Off the Couch: Tips for Healthy Tailgating

Fall has come early in Rhode Island. It is time to welcome brisk afternoons, watch the leaves change color and break out the sweaters.

More importantly, it's football season. Our New England Patriots are off to a great start, the University of Rhode Island football grabbed a win this weekend after their 0-2 start and Brown has started their year off well. Whether you are a college football fan or a pro-football fan, here are some ways to make sure your Saturday and Sunday is not only fun, but healthy as well.

Get outside and throw around the ole pigskin. There are only so many times that you can watch the pre-game analysis on ESPN, so go outside and play some touch or tackle with the family.  It’s an easy way to stay active on game-day, which is usually reserved for sitting on the couch and eating nachos and wings. 

Fire up the grill.  Once you’ve worked up an appetite, it is time to start grilling. No game day is complete without a proper tailgate. As I mentioned before though, it can be very easy to fall into a trap of eating very bad food during the game. I am no health nut, but being around the wonderful Sarah Simeone (who penned the ) has made me learn a thing or two. So do not fret, you can still have a great grilling experience without turning to veggie-burgers. 

• Go lean.  When you are looking for meat to grill, make sure that you go lean.  Look for lean meats that are 90 percent lean or above.  Jonathan Furness, a former cook at the for seven years says, “The less fat you have in the burgers, the healthier they are for you.  I like to go to because they have a great selection of lean meats to use for my tailgates.  Also, substituting olive oil for butter is another way to cut out some fat.”
• The Dolphins aren’t the only fish that will face the heat this season.  Do not forget that we live right by the water, with an abundance of great seafood.  While burgers, chicken and sausages usually take home all the glory during a tailgate, throw some tuna steaks or salmon on the grill instead.  According to the Harvard School of Public Health, a six-ounce porterhouse steak has around 44 grams of fat, compared to 18 grams of fat in a six-ounce piece of salmon.  
• Veggies!  Grilled vegetables are delicious.  Cut up and season some peppers, onions, zucchini and squash, and you’ve got some great finger food to munch on in between snaps. 

As I previously mentioned, I am not a health fanatic.  In fact, having more vowels than consonants in my last name has made me appreciate great food. For me, dieting is out of the question, because most diets don't allow you to enjoy your food. But, that does not mean we cannot take small steps to live a healthier life-style, especially during what looks like to be another great football season in New England.