Tag Archives: football

Gym Music Playlist of the Week: Sports Anthems

Besides music, football is one of my biggest passions. So, why not marry the two in this week’s workout playlist?

The NFL preseason has kicked off, and it’s a nice little surprise that I get to watch my Pittsburgh Steelers open their preseason on my birthday tomorrow afternoon. While I’ll have a few “official” birthday celebrations this weekend, when you turn 40, with two kids and a wife, something as simple as a football game and firing up the grill is a real treat! (more…)

Jets’ Kris Jenkins Loses 34 Pounds on Cookie Diet

What seems like the kind of diet a big ol’ defensive lineman would gravitate towards? Besides something like Atkins or any other diet that would allow them to nosh on steaks every day, maybe one that is centered around cookies.

And that’s what New York Jets defensive lineman Kris Jenkins resorted to in order to drop some excess weight on the eve of his team’s training camp. With the help of Dr. Sanford Siegal’s Cookie Diet, Jenkins lost 34 pounds in the off-season. That brings the 6′ 4″ Jenkins down to 359 pounds, which even by today’s NFL standards is huge.

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10 Healthy Tailgating Recipes and Food Swaps

As we all soak-up this last weekend of summer, we’re also anxiously ushering in the new fall season. And that means one thing – football! This Saturday is the kick-off to college football, and that means stadium parking lots and backyards alike will be fired-up with team spirit and plenty of food. As our dietitian explains, it is possible to socialize without blowing your diet, and without feeling deprived.tailgate party

So as you grocery shop for snacks and cookout grub, consider some of these healthy tailgating recipes and food swaps. Odds are, they’ll taste better and no one will recognize the difference as they polish off a platter of leaner foods.

Tailgating Food Swaps

  • Pork Bratwurst for Turkey Brats: It’s a difference of 450 calories and 37 grams of fat for the pork, versus 160 calories and 9 grams of fat for the turkey. Still boil in beer and soak in mustard and they’re really quite tasty. (more…)

Super Bowl Sunday Survival Tips

Did you know that Super Bowl Sunday is known as the second biggest single day of food consumption (right behind Thanksgiving Day)? Football, friends, and food are some of the main descriptors of Super Bowl; and food on this day plays a prominent role. Therefore, it is extremely important to keep two things in mind: 1) food safety and 2) nutrition.

Food Safety

  • Because Super Bowl parties can last for several hours, it’s imperative to keep track of the food you have out for your guests.
  • Certain foods (containing mayo, sour cream, meats, etc.) should not be out at room temperature for longer than two hours because you don’t want to enter the “Danger Zone.” (more…)

Biggest Loser’s Superbowl Recipes by Curtis Stone

curtis stoneAre you guys ready for some football? How about some recipes that will satisfy that innate need to munch during the Superbowl, keep even the manliest appetites satisfied, and that have less fat and calories than the typical game-day fare. You better be ready because we’ve got them! Curtis Stone appeared on Biggest Loser season 7 episode 4, and showed the contestants their stand-by appetizer favorites, and some healthy alternatives.

  • Instead of the Mexican-style layer dip with 1755 calories, try this 7 Layer Dip with shrimp and vegetables. (more…)

Healthy Superbowl Recipes

andrew rubalcavaOur guest post today comes today comes to us from Andrew Rubalcava, a 26-year-old native of Los Angeles, runs the health and fitness blog Go Healthy Go Fit. His “Healthy Tailgating Recipes” series has featured the top authorities on the grill, including Ray Lampe, author of The NFL Gameday Cookbook and David Joachim, author of The Tailgater’s Cookbook. As we prepare for the Steelers vs. Cardinals to face-off on February 1, he offers some healthier snack choices.

Buffalo Wings Are Out: Deli Platters Are In

Everyone gets deep fried wings, but it takes originality to be a good host. Go to your local supermarket deli and order a platter comprised of beef, chicken and/or turkey cold cuts. (more…)

Tryptophan Explained

thanksgiving nap

On Thanksgiving, I will be surrounded by 40-50 family members. After we share our feast from appetizers to desserts, several of us will find a spot in front of the television to watch football and doze through commercials. Although I would like to see the Lions hand the Titans another loss (I am a true blue Colts fan!), surrendering to “turkey-daze” is part of the holiday, right? It is commonly believed that the tryptophan in turkey induces sleepiness; however, there is more to our holiday drowsiness than this one chemical.

Tryptophan is one of ten amino acids that the body cannot manufacture on its own and must be supplemented through diet. Tryptophan aids in the production of the B-vitamin niacin which then assists the body’s production of serotonin. Serotonin helps us regulate mood, aggression, anxiety, impulsiveness, body temperature, appetite, and sleep. However serotonin cannot cross the blood brain barrier, meaning we cannot create more serotonin in our bodies. (more…)

Fitness Tips For The Football Spectators

Football season is back in full swing and that means a lot of sitting around and eating like crap. I’m guilty and it’s definitely tough to eat healthy and stay active on Saturday and Sunday, and even Monday night due to all the fun-filled action. I have put together a few ideas or thoughts that may help you make the healthier choices this football season.

tailgate party

Fitness Tips For Football Season

  • Drink plenty of water during the games (this will help decrease the ol’ appetite a little bit)
  • Have fresh fruits and veggies available instead of chips or other fatty foods
  • Get up and move around during the commercials (stairs or few laps around the house)
  • If you have a treadmill or stationary bike, place those in front of the television and work-out while spectating
  • Every touchdown or field goal do push-ups/crunches or any other selected activity (for a touchdown do 7 push-ups and for a field goal do 3)

  • During half-time, or before the next game starts, take the dog for a walk or play catch with the football with someone special

Football season is a great time of the year for friend and family gatherings, please be careful and enjoy the time that you have together.

Kick-off the Super Bowl with lighter foods

January first you woke up and decided to shuck those extra holiday pounds. You found a diet that you like and something comfortable to stick with. You’ve been doing well- steadily losing weight, feeling better about yourself. And then- the first road block of the dieter’s new year- Super Bowl.

This Sunday living rooms across America will be piled high with testosterone, beer and plenty of greasy favorites- tempting your self-control. To help you through this main event of eating, as Super Bowl is America’s second largest day of food consumption behind Turkey Day, I thought I’d share some healthier options.

Now listen- healthier does not been bland or boring. These tasty munchies will have your guests saying “we want more” and never once questioning how low-fat-carb-calorie they might be.

Our top Super Bowl food picks are:
Chipotle Chicken Cups
Stuffed Mushrooms
Beef Jerky
Crock Pot Hot German Potato Salad
Chicken and Red Chili Tamales
Pork Fajita Pitas
Buffalo Chicken Wings
Fireside Chili

Don’t deprive your sweet tooth either. Check out Cherry Almond Popcorn Clusters, Rocky Road Brownies and Smorgasbord Fruit Salad.

If these don’t trip your tastebud trigger- search through the more than 600 recipes on Diets In Review that are low-carb and Weight Watchers friendly.

Whether a Patriots or Giants fan- the real winner will be your delicious and healthy Super Bowl buffet.

Super Bowl Could Cause Heart Problems…

… And no, we’re not talking about heartburn from the cheese dip. Experts have noticed that heart attack cases rose significantly in Munich, Germany when their nation’s soccer team was in the World Cup. I know this has translated to football in the U.S., because a fan of my favorite team went down with a heart attack when the Pittsburgh Steelers nearly lost a game on their way to the Super Bowl a couple years back.

So, this Sunday, stay calm and try some heart-healthy snacks.