Healthy tips for surviving tailgating fare (Working Class Vegan Man)

Football has returned. The rush of the college rivalries. The agony of Sunday losses. The anxiety of waiting for your No. 1 fantasy pick to score another touchdown.

The spicy chili filled with juicy chunks of beef. The chips dipped in a thick french onion dip. The grilled sausage dripping deliciously with whatever drips from grilled sausages.

And you were doing so well. You managed to establish a rhythm of eating better and getting regular exercise.

And now the tailgating begins.

You’ll have to postpone your Saturday runs through the park. Sunday walks around the block will be replaced with tasting the newest Oktoberfest brews.

And then comes the holidays and all of their food and merrymaking, followed by another New Year’s resolution, starting the entire process all over again.

“Oh, forget it,” you say, throwing up your hands in defeat.

No! Don’t forget it! There’s another way.

Da, da, da daaa! Working Class Vegan Man to the rescue.

Don’t let the football season crap on your parade of summer health. Sure, it ain’t easy, but there are some options to keep the pig skin belly from getting the best of you.

So, while you’re tailgating this fall, here are some quick options to help you and your summer health survive the fun of tailgating on Saturday and couch-picking on Sunday.

Eat first
One simple thing you could do before the tailgating is to eat beforehand. You know the food at the tailgating party is going to taste good, but you also know that it can be quite harmful in abundance, especially if you’re going overboard every weekend.

Before you head out to get your testosterone on, eat something that will help fill your hunger and counter the chunk of meat you’ll eat later. Maybe you like eggs in the morning (I don’t, I think they’re disgusting, but we’re talking about you). A hardboiled egg with some fruit might save you from overeating later. Or try some peanut butter with an apple. Or fill up on a smoothie (effort alert!).

You can still eat at the party, but you won’t be starving, so you’re less likely to stuff your face.

Snacks
It’s easy to go overboard when there’s an entire tailgate spread before you. There are the burgers and dogs, not to mention the potato salad and baked beans, plus the chips and dips, and some dude probably brought a cheese thing with bacon all over it. All of it looks good, I know; I’m not blind, just a vegan.

But how can you get away with overeating all of this artery-clogging food every weekend for the next four months?

Try bringing some healthy snacks to help fill you up. You can even hide them for yourself if you’re afraid the others will make fun of you.

Let’s go with a mixture of peanuts and pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds (and maybe some dried fruit or chocolate chips, but only if you keep it hidden). Every once in awhile, chomp on a handful of this in between beer swigs.

Alternatives
I know, I know, those sausages stuffed in the buns smeared with Ballpark Mustard are awesome. But consider these simple options.

Make your own burger patties that are of the healthier variety. It ain’t that hard, and it doesn’t take that much time—heck, have a beer while you make ‘em. My preferences are burgers based with black beans or oatmeal or mushrooms or whatever I feel like. And once you get used to making your own patties, you can experiment and make them just as you want them. You want whiskey in those suckers? Do it.

Can’t do that fake burger stuff? Go for a healthier animal product. If you just gotta have the piggy in your belly then get the organic stuff, the stuff without all of those weird hormones and what-nots that’ll mess with your insides. Better yet, give the pork a rest and try a leaner beast, like bison. You can find some lovely local options, such as Red Run Buffalo Farm.

Take on this season with you in mind
Don’t go down in defeat! Don’t get caught cheering for your team to win, while your health loses! Don’t accept it! Don’t let the season get the best of you! You’re better than that!

If you’re gonna cheer anybody on this season, cheer yourself on! Don’t spend all of your time watching others win, while you lose!

Just spend a little of that time on yourself, making a few adjustments, and get through the football season a winner!

Now go start planning on an option that works for you, with a beer, of course.

Working Class Vegan Man is Greg Milo and can be found at www.workingclassveganman.com.