Top 10 Worst Super Bowl Snacks

Swap these snacks for their smarter, healthier alternatives.

ByABC News
February 1, 2013, 4:16 PM

Feb. 2, 2013— -- No wonder the biggest game of the year is called the Super Bowl. Most viewing parties are stocked with heaping bowls of chips and dips and chili. And then there's the food served on plates. (And in bags...and boxes...and cartons...)

In the face of temptation, it doesn't help that distractions like TV lead people to eat more, according to a 2011 University of Birmingham study. Not only is it hard to count crackers while your eyes are glued to a crucial penalty kick, but a close game can trigger stress. The result? Your body spews out the hormone ghrelin, which stokes your appetite and sends your hand diving into the bag of Doritos.

You might not know which team will take the trophy-or whether Beyonce will lip-sync her half-time show. But you can bet you'll be the loser if you don't make smart snack choices during game. To feel like a champion on Super Bowl Sunday, skip these 10 super-bad snacks. Instead, indulge in less-offensive-but still tasty!—swaps culled by registered dietician Tanya Zuckerbrot, author of The Miracle Carb Diet: Make Calories & Fat Disappear—with Fiber!.

Party Snacks You Don't Have To Feel Bad About The Day After

Bad: Buffalo Wings

Buffalo wings aren't just deep-fried: they're prepared with the chicken skin on for double trouble in terms of fat and calories. According to Zuckerbrot, an order of buffalo wings can pack nearly 1700 calories and 50 grams of fat-and that's before the blue cheese dressing!

Better: Baked Boneless Buffalo Wings

Bake boneless chicken breast strips instead of frying them, and coat with a mixture of hot pepper sauce, corn starch, white vinegar, and cayenne pepper. For a dip that doesn't destroy your diet: swap blue cheese dressing for low-fat ranch.

Good For You Game Day Grub

Bad: Sour Cream and Onion Dip

Sour cream is stuffed with saturated fat. And because it goes so well with greasy potato chips, you're bound to double dip.

Better: Hummus

Hummus is made from high-fiber chickpeas, so it will keep you full longer for than the sour cream dip. Look for a premade brand that clocks in under 60 calories for two tablespoons, and dip carrots, whole wheat tortilla chips or toasted wedges of whole grain pita.

These flavor boosters are packed with health perks. Here, the healthiest condiments at the supermarket, including peanut butter, hummus, and many more.

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