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.”
• The “Danger Zone” is when the temperature of food falls between 40°F and 140°F; this zone is when food is most likely to become home for harmful bacteria that will grow and multiply.
• Learn the USDA’s 4 keys to food safety:

  1. Cook- Minimum temperature for poultry is 165°F; ground beef 160°F; steak internal temperature 145°F. Use a food thermometer to ensure meats are safely cooked.
  2. Separate- Don’t cross contaminate; keep raw meat and poultry apart from cooked foods.
  3. Clean- Wash hands and surfaces often.
  4. Chill- Refrigerate or freeze promptly.

Food and Nutrition

For most, Super Bowl Sunday consist of wings, hot dogs, hamburgers, pizza, chips, dip, beer, and other greasy favorites. This year, why not try to make some healthier choices?!

• Do a fruit and veggie tray with a low-fat dip or hummus; or nuts, cheese and cracker tray
• Try grilled chicken breast, or chicken kabobs (protein and veggies!)
• Instead of having food out and eating because its in front of you, listen to your internal cues, make one plate to eat and then snack on fruits and veggies.
• Don’t drink your calories; focus on water instead of beer, cola, etc.
• Grill or bake foods instead of frying.
• Remember portion control; don’t just eat of the bowl!

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Super Bowl Sunday Survival Tips

Daniel worked out with Jillian at the ranch for 30 days, and lost 60 pounds before being eliminated in week 4. Saying goodbye to Jillian, he said “I love you.” He told us “she’s five-foot-nothing and I’m terrified of this woman,” in a jovial way that shows the respect they have for one another, and the appreciation he has for her. He said in week four when he fell on the treadmill while Jillian yelled at him that that moment was his turning point. All he could think about was being at home on the couch eating ice cream, and that’s when he finally had to admit he is an emotional eater. He now understands what food is and how to put it in its place.

Meanwhile, David was back at home in North Carolina. He said “the camera guys tell you want to do,” and that he was naive enough to think they wouldn’t air video of him eating fried chicken (on what turned out to be his high calorie day). Daniel said it hurt him to finally learn the hard time David was having back at home.

Listen now as David and Daniel discuss the growing child and teen obesity trends, and where the responsibility lies.

David talked about the struggle he had even during week one, which helped make the determination to send him home and leave Daniel at the ranch. Daniel says he loved being at the ranch because “it’s the perfect environment for change,” while David remained “honest about his inner struggle” by telling his fellow contestants before elimination “my commitment is here, my heart is not.”

Their friendship remains in tact, they even say it is probably stronger today. They both expressed that the Biggest Loser ranch is not a magic pill, but it does give the space necessary to “work through personal issues.”

They’re now working hard in the gym and watching closely what they eat. David says eating healthy can be expensive, but you have to make the choice to give the extra time to shop and budget for those healthier items and avoid temptations that surround you. He also says when it comes to working out, find something you enjoy. For him, it’s an hour-and-a-half of full court basketball with friends, which can burn about 2,000 calories.

Daniel is enjoying cooking foods that are good for him and easily replacing former favorites like fried chicken. He says the Winning Fried Chicken recipe in the original Biggest Loser Cookbook is “stinkin’ awesome.” He also enjoys carrots and hummus to replace chips and dips. The guys plan to eat Curtis Stone’s Rosemary Chicken Skewers this Sunday while they cheer on the Arizona Cardinals’ Kurt Warner.

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Interview with Biggest Loser’s Eliminated Contestants Daniel and David

Watch Curtis prepare these dishes, and grab the recipes below.

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

• Go with Turkey and Black Bean Chili instead of nearly 1200 calories in a chili bread bowl with sour cream.
  

• Ditch the 1000 calories worth of sauce-soaked buffalo wings with ranch dressing for this incredible Rosemary Skewered Chicken with Orange Glaze.

Curtis also showed how it’s possible to enjoy all the flavors of a Mexican dish, without all the fat and calories that leave us weighed down. Curtis helped David make this Grilled and Spiced Chicken with Cucumber Yogurt Sauce, and showed that you really can have all the foods and flavors you love when you try to make alternatives.

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Biggest Loser’s Superbowl Recipes by Curtis Stone

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. Add in broccoli, carrot sticks and cauliflower to make it look like part of the arrangement, when it is actually an invite for people to get their vegetables. This will make it look like you professionally catered the party so you’ll be sure to get lots of compliments.

Make Your Own Trail Mix

You should never trust store bought trail mix. They tend to use extra additives and salt. Hit up Whole Foods and get some almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seed kernels and add in dried fruits like blueberries and cranberries. You’ll get more flavor and better nutritional value when you make your own trail mix.

Switch Up The Chips And Dip

Instead of potato chips and cheese dip, call an audible and bring in pita chips and guacamole with a side of salsa. Guacamole is a great source of good fats and is always a hit. Plus, you can get spicy salsa to satisfy the naysayers who were bummed that you didn’t get hot wings.

Find hundreds of healthy recipes perfect for your Super Bowl bash right here.

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Healthy Superbowl Recipes

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.

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Kick-off the Super Bowl with lighter foods

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

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Super Bowl Could Cause Heart Problems…