Fall means football and food. You’re probably watching games on your flat screen, heading to the neighborhood bar, even tailgating outside the stadium. That means you’ll be surrounded by brats, nachos, beer, seven layer dip, etc. How do you avoid looking like a bleacher bum and more like a gridiron goddess? Nicole Kuhl, CCN, Director of Nutrition and Health Coach at LifeSpan is here to save the day and your diet while rooting on your favorite team (Da Bears!) Hot Dogs Can Be Healthy That’s the main staple food item at any bar-b-que. And you can eat a hot dog and not be mad at yourself in the morning. There are many brats and “dogs” made with natural ingredients. Whole Foods carries an entire section of healthy brats. You can even chow down on Buffalo dogs which are high in protein, tasty, and will keep you full longer. Bite Into Baked Buffalo Wings Perhaps the most sinfully delicious tailgate food, can still be healthy. To make them low calorie, grill them and skip the buffalo sauce. Instead use hot sauce, bread them, and bake in the oven. Say no to blue cheese and ranch dip. Say yes to honey mustard. It’s Okay to Bring a Salad Salads preserved in lemon juice are the best. Plus they are refreshing on those hot and humid days. Kale is your best bet for lettuce selection since it’s high in nutrients. Throw some pine nuts, dried cranberries, olive oil, sea salt, and your salad will be delicious and won’t spoil. Skip the Beer and Sip a Cocktail Drinking high calorie beer can add up. For a healthier adult beverage, try a vodka or rum cocktail mixed with club soda and lime. It’s refreshing, low in calories, and it will still give you a buzz. But What Do I Eat Inside the Stadium? Most places carry wraps or grilled chicken. If not, buy a bag of peanuts in the shell. Cracking them open will keep you occupied and prevent you from eating too many of the high calorie nuts. One serving size is a quarter cup. Do Your Homework If you’re very serious about your diet and eating healthy, homework is important. Most stadiums have websites and list the types of food vendors. If you don’t like their choices, bring your own wrap and snacks like almonds. Put on your lucky team jersey, grab your healthy snacks, and go watch some football! ..