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Americans probably ate about 30 million pounds of snacks during the Super Bowl yesterday (or so estimates Shape magazine), and studies have shown that overindulging on food high in salt and fat on the weekend sets us up for craving more calorie-iffic food during the week.

So you might think: I'll make it up by not eating a thing today. Problem solved. But...this is not the solution, says Best Life nutritionist Beth Sumrell Ehrensberger, M.P.H., R.D. "Your willpower may hold up all day long, but by the time dinner rolls around, you'll most likely give into your hunger by making unhealthy choices and eating more than  you need." In other words, you'll be powerless against leftover pizza. Another thing to keep in mind: While you may have consumed an excess of calories yesterday, chances are they were remarkably devoid of the things your body needs, like water, protein, fiber and antioxidants. If you deprive yourself again today, you'll effectively complete a two-day nutrient fast.

Here are Ehrensberger's recommendations for what to eat on this post-game afternoon and evening:



Have a Greek yogurt sundae as a snack. Compared to regular yogurt, Greek yogurt has double the amount of protein, says Ehrensberger, making it wonderfully satisfying. Stir in a tablespoon of granola, and this hearty snack that tastes like a treat will make up for the chicken-wing cupcakes you couldn't help but sample yesterday.

Dig into a big Southwestern salad. You probably snacked solidly for about five hours on Sunday, which means that you never had a balanced, filling meal. Ehrensberger advises compensating for that tonight with a dinner salad that combines low-calorie veggies with foods that are high in lean protein, vitamins and minerals (and that also tastes nearly as appealing as yesterday's special-occasion foods). Mix iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and celery with black and red beans (rinse off the sodium from the canning process) and corn. Add grilled peppers, onions and a piece of chicken and salmon. For the dressing, toss your salad with fresh salsa and a little olive oil, white wine vinegar, and Southwestern herbs. Top with another dollop of Greek yogurt (instead of sour cream). Stay away from starchy potatoes, which you probably nibbled in chip form yesterday.

Sweet, tangy pineapple will help you celebrate your team's win / distract you from your dashed hopes. Ehrensberger says that the beer and salty foods from Game Day will lead to bloat and dehydration today. As a finale to your Southwestern dinner, she suggests grilled pineapple, which will help quench your thirst and satisfy your sweet tooth, as well.