Football fans have cultivated a palate for wings during the last several years, and these saucy snacks now rank second only to salsa and dips this year on the list of favorite Super Bowl snacks, according to Harris Interactive's annual Supervalu Snack Down survey. One of the biggest snacking days of the year, Americans will chow down on 1.25 billion wings while watching Sunday's game, according to the National Chicken Council, reports USA Today.
According to Harris, chicken wings are the game-day favorite for 23 percent, close behind dips and spreads at 32 percent, pizza and salty snacks tied for third at 14 percent.
Meanwhile the National Restaurant Association (NRA) estimates that 48 million Americans will order takeout or delivery food from a restaurant while watching the professional football championship game on Super Bowl Sunday, and 12 million are expected to visit a restaurant or bar to watch the big game. New National Restaurant Association research also shows that salsa/dips/spreads, chicken wings and pizza are considered must-have foods on game day.
"When it comes to favorite game-watching foods, dips, chicken wings and pizza top the list," says Hudson Riehle, senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group for the NRA. "But, about two out of five individuals who plan to watch the big game say that healthful food items are a must on their table that day."
The Association's research shows that 31 percent of individuals who plan to watch the big game at their own home or someone else's home expect to order restaurant takeout or delivery. Younger adults (18 to 34 years old) and individuals with children are more likely to order restaurant food for game day gatherings, at 52 percent and 40 percent, respectively.
When it comes to food, 69 percent of the 1,013 NRA survey respondents said that salsa, dips or spreads are must-haves, 63 percent said chicken wings, 61 percent said pizza, 50 percent said desserts, and 49 percent said subs/sandwiches. In addition, 42 percent said that healthful food items are a must on their game day table.
Sadly, I must confess I'm not a football fan, but I love to watch the commercials while snacking. I tape the game, skipping the mayhem, and fast-forward to the ads.
Good luck to both teams and enjoy your food.
