Sports Bar Food Survival Guide

The Sports Bar Food Survival Guide

Watching our favorite sports teams play has become synonymous with chowing down on fattening foods thanks to the menus offered at our favorite local sports bars.  Before you dive-in to game day snacks this weekend, discover some of the worst sports bar menu offerings and their healthier, lower calorie counterparts. 

1a. Belly Buster: Loaded Nachos

A platter of chips smothered in beef and cheese can top 1,000 calories. You’ll also get as many as 70 grams of fat if you eat the whole plate by yourself.  

1b. Better Bet: Chips and Salsa

The chips pack a caloric punch (about 140 calories for 13 chips) but 2 tablespoons of salsa contain just 15 calories.  Salsa gives you south-of-the-border flavor without expanding your waistline into the next country.

2a. Belly Buster: Buffalo Wings

Here’s a recipe for weight-loss disaster: Deep-fried chicken that’s been doused in a butter-based sauce and then dunked in creamy blue cheese. A plateful of the sports bar staple can easily deliver over 1,000 calories.

2b. Better Bet: Grilled Chicken Sandwich

You’ll save fat and calories by choosing a chicken alternative that hasn’t been deep-fried. For the most waistline friendly results, be sure to remove any skin on the chicken and think about ditching the bun.

3a. Belly Buster: Bacon Cheeseburger

This grease-fest of a sandwich typically runs over 900 calories. Between the beef patty, melted cheese, and bacon, it also may set you up with nearly 60 grams of fat.

3b. Better Bet: Veggie Burger

Opting for a veggie patty can slice your calories in half—as long as you forgo all of the fatty fixings.  Rather than loading your burger with cheese and bacon, top it with veggies like lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and mushrooms.

Source:  Mary Squillace at Fitbie (http://fitbie.msn.com/slideshow/sports-bar-food-survival-guide)