Notorious RD

Whether you’re waiting to see Brady and Manning face off, watch Mathew Broderick reprise his role as Ferris Bueller on a car commercial,  or eat toast and get toasted with your friends and family, millions of people will be captivated by our television sets next Super Bowl Sunday. But don’t worry about slipping on your weight loss goals during the food and booze laden festivities.  You can have it all- yummy food and a tight tushy.  Try some of these simple, seasonal food and drink recipes to keep your day balanced (making healthy choices about 80% of the time).

Filling Tuna Avocado Salad with Wasabi Lime Vinaigrette (Serves 4)

• 1 can of tuna
• 1 avocado, diced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 Tablespoons low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon wasabi paste or horseradish
• 3 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 Tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil

Whisk together garlic, soy sauce, wasabi, lime juice, vinegar, and olive oil.  Add avocado, green onions, and drained tuna.  Serve on crackers, with raw vegetables or in a sandwich.

Nutrition Info: Calories: 319, Fat: 26 g, Sodium: 402 mg (reduce further by rinsing tuna), Cholesterol: 12 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Protein: 11 g

Bruschetta Bowl (serves 8)

• 1 cup diced tomatoes (Roma or plum)
• 1 clove fresh garlic, minced
• 1/8 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup basil, chopped
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 round whole wheat sourdough bread loaf (9oz) or pre-cooked whole wheat pizza crust

Put tomatoes, garlic, 2 teaspoons of olive oil and vinegar in a bowl and mix. Add the chopped basil. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Cut out the center of the bread bowl and toast.  Place the tomato topping in the bowl (or on the pizza crust) and garnish with basil.

Nutrition Info: Calories: 136, Fat: 4 g, Cholesterol: 0 mg, Sodium: 227 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Protein: 4 g

Ham & Cheese Apple Wraps with Yogurt Honey dip (serves 4)

• 1 apple, cored and sliced into 12 equal slices
• 4 thick slices of low fat cheddar cheese, cut into 12 triangles
• 5 oz of thinly sliced deli ham, cut into 12 strips
• 1/4 cup plain greek yogurt
• 2 tsp of honey

Combine yogurt and honey.  Wrap one slice of ham around an apple slice and cheese triangle.  Dip in yogurt and enjoy!

Nutrition Info: Calories: 170, Fat: 3 g, Protein: 17 g, Calcium: 15%, Fiber: 1 g

We like to go out for mimosas to watch football. And yes, we are wearing Charger's shirts...

Have Your Drink, and Enjoy it, too!

Not sure which poison to choose for the party?  Try these slimmed-down versions of some classic drinks:

Beer: chose a light beer and save about 50 calories a pop

Wine: Make it a spritzer with 1/2 seltzer water, 1/2 wine and save up to 75 calories a glass

Cocktails: At about 100 calories per 1.5 oz shot, these can add up fast!  Try one of Bethenny Frankel’s skinnygirl cocktail recipes: Skinnygirl Mojito (Serves 1)

1/2 Fresh line, cut into 6 wedges
2 tablespoons torn fresh mint leaves
1 cup of ice
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1/2 teaspoon of honey, gently warmed (microwave for 5 seconds)
2 ounces of clear rum
4 ounces of club soda
Fresh mint sprig and lime wedge for garnish

In a martini shaker, muddle the lime and mint with a pestle or a long spoon until well bruised and fragrant. Add 1 cup of ice and the lime juice.  Combine the honey, rum and club soda in a glass or small bowl. Stir gently to dissolve the honey. Add this combination to the muddle mixture. Stir until the mixture is well chilled. Strain into a rocks glass filled with ice. Garnish with the mint sprig and lime wedge.

Will the probiotics in your yogurt dip reduce GERD?  Read my LIVESTRONG article to find out!

How are you going to stay slim this Super Bowl?