Mardi Gras celebration weighs heavy on many people's diets

With a name like Fat Tuesday, today is an easy excuse to splurge on high-calorie, high-fat food in the spirit of celebration and tradition.

But pausing to think about the health effects may help in resisting them, or at least enjoying them in moderation.

"Give yourself some pause and ask: Do you really want it?" Carol Bliznik said. "Step back a minute and see what the consequence might be."

Bliznik, a registered dietitian at Franciscan St. Anthony Health hospital in Crown Point, said people who still want to indulge should be careful not to overdo it.

"We only need so many calories," she said. "Is your diet totally ruined (if you splurge)? I don't think so."

But, binge eating salt- and sugar-laden food is worse for people already trying to manage diabetes or high blood pressure, she said.

Fat Tuesday marks the day before Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, a time of fasting. Today serves as the last chance to feast before the fast.

Bliznik cautioned against letting one day of splurging derail healthy eating plans, referencing the saying, "A moment on the lips, forever on the hips."

Today also is called Paczki Day, a popular time to eat the deep-fried Polish pastries. But, each treat contains about 329 calories and 11.4 grams of fat, according to www.livestrong.com.

The website rates Mardi Gras fare chicken and sausage jambalaya at 371 calories and 8.7 grams of fat per 1 1/4 cups and an alcoholic Hurricane drink at 250 calories per 6-ounce serving.

Jambalaya, crabcakes and crab legs are the more popular items on the menu at N'awlins Crab House, 17033 Torrence Ave., in Lansing, manager Ray Haddad said. The restaurant has specials during Mardi Gras and is scheduled to have a DJ start at 9 p.m. for a Fat Tuesday party.

"Usually it's a busy time for us," he said.