This article was updated on Jan. 27, 2024
Many Americans spend time watching the Super Bowl, even those who normally don’t watch football and other sports. In fact, in 2023, over 99 million people tuned in or attended in person. Super Bowl LVIII is coming up Sunday, February 11. The matchup will be between the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs. No matter which team you root for, you’ll enjoy these Foodie Fun Facts about this very popular pastime!
Fun Fact #1
After Thanksgiving, Super Bowl Sunday is the second-highest eating day for Americans. The Hass Avocado Board predicts that we’ll consume about 100 million pounds of guacamole – and use 14,500 tons of corn chips to scoop it up. (See our fun recipe for BLT Guacamole.)
Fun Fact #2
Nearly one in eight (13%) Americans order takeout or delivery food for the Super Bowl. The most popular choices are pizza (58%), chicken wings (50%), and subs/sandwiches (20%). (Instead of ordering out, why not make some Muffaletta Mini-Sandwiches? Not only are they tasty, but you can get a jump start on Mardi Gras, which is coming up fast on Tuesday, February 13.)
Fun Fact #3
The average Super Bowl watcher consumes 1,200 calories. Potato chips are the top munchie and account for 27 billion calories and 1.8 billion fat grams, or 13,000 NFL offensive linemen at 300 pounds each.
Fun Fact #4
According to the National Restaurant Association, pizza restaurants love Super Bowl Sunday – it’s their busiest day of the year, selling twice as many pies as any other day. (If you're looking for a slightly healthier option, you might like this recipe for Zucchini Stuffed Pizza Boats!)
Fun Fact #5
You'll never believe this next one! 175 baby carrots = 5 oz. nacho cheese-flavored snack chips = 700 celery sticks... each has 700 calories. Watch out how many chips (or carrots or celery) you eat... you'd have to run the length of 123 football fields to burn off those calories.
Fun Fact #6
According to 7-Eleven, sales of antacids increase by 20% on the day after Super Bowl.
Fun Fact #7
About 2 million cases of beer are sold every year for Super Bowl weekend – which might explain why 6% of Americans call in sick for work the following Monday.