With the NFL playoffs in full swing and the Super Bowl, most-watched televised event in the United States, fast approaching, the majority of football fans say they feel no guilt about snacking down heartily as they watch their favorite teams try to make it to the Super Bowl, reports Progressive Grocer.
According to the third annual Supervalu Snack Down Survey by Harris Interactive, the majority of respondents readily acknowledge that few, if any; snacks they eat during games would be considered healthy or good for them. The survey also found that 54 percent of fans eat throughout the game, 12 percent say they start snacking before the game as a warm-up and 9 percent report that "I load up my plate at kickoff."
Favorite choices are dips and spreads (32 percent) followed by chicken wings (23 percent), both up slightly in popularity from last year. Tied for third place at 14 percent were pizza and salty snacks such as chips, peanuts, pretzels or popcorn.
Tough economic times aren't stopping fans from spending on their favorite foods to watch their favorite teams. Seventy-six percent of the fans say they have not changed their snack budgets from last year, while 7 percent plan to spend more. In fact, nearly three-quarters plan to entertain others during the game. Half of hosting fans will spend up to $100 or more on game-day fare, while 38 percent will spend less than $50.
Fans listed a number of special food traditions associated with their favorite teams, including Chicago-style hot dogs or deep-dish pizza for Bears fans; Philly cheesesteaks for Eagles fans; crab cakes for Baltimore Ravens fans; clam chowder, Boston baked beans or lobster for New England Patriots fans; and cheese, brats and beer for Packers fans.
While fans from around the country generally stick to simple, easy-to-prepare items, they also have used game-day viewing occasions to experiment with unusual foods, including rattlesnake, fried alligator, cow tongue tacos, fried turkey gizzards, Rocky Mountain oysters and chocolate-covered ants. When considering the occasion, others cited items they've eaten or served that aren't typical fare for the event, such as apple slices, macaroni and cheese, and Chinese food.
