If you're like most people, you'll probably find yourself attending or hosting a Super Bowl party next Sunday. And regardless of whether you know a down from an end zone, you'll almost certainly be surrounded by food.

Super Bowl Sunday represents the essence of unhealthy over-consumption — second only to Thanksgiving. The National Chicken Council estimates that more than a billion wings, or 90 million pounds, are consumed over the weekend! And on top of that, 15 million tons of potato chips. That's some serious eating during the big game.

Part of eating and living healthfully is also knowing when it's ok to cheat a little. Believe me, I'm far from perfect. But there's certainly no harm is doing a few things a little different, so here are some ideas for swapping out the traditional snacks with slightly better alternatives that stay true to their inspirations:

Make your own organic potato chips. The Environmental Working Group found that conventional potatoes rank highest for pesticide residue. Almost 80 percent of the potatoes tested contained pesticides, even after being washed and peeled.

So stop by Mrs. Green's Natural Market, grab a bag of organic potatoes (better yet, organic sweet potatoes), peel and slice them thinly, brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and bake in a 400 degree oven until crispy. They'll be healthier and cheaper than a bag of store-bought chips, and chances are you'll make a little less, so you won't be tempted to keep eating. 

Ditch the meat. Most of us know, whether we like to admit it or not, that industrial animal production is one of the most destructive and unsustainable practices around. Any attempt at eating more sustainably means eating less meat, or at the very least eating sustainably raised meat. It's an oft-repeated point, but a hard one to overstate.

So in that spirit, heat up the crock pot and make some bean chili. There are plenty of good recipes online for easy vegetarian chili, so find something that strikes your fancy. Or even better, head over to one of the local indoor farmers markets or TABLE Local Market and get inspired. You may even find some potatoes to make chips with! Chappaqua, Mt. Kisco, and several other towns in the area have indoor markets going throughout the winter.

And if the idea of a meatless Super Bowl party doesn't get you going, just try replacing one meat dish with a meatless alternative. You'll probably be happy about it, and your guest or fellow party-goers will thank you.

Finally, wash it down with an organic brew. They're a little more expensive than your typical six-pack, but when you choose an organic beer, you're ensuring that the barley, hops, and other ingredients were produced sustainably and without the application of harmful pesticides or other chemicals. There's a growing selection of organic beers available, and big distributors are getting the message that people enjoy them. Many of the local beverage shops carry a selection of organic beers, so shop around for something a little different than the typical selections. Or support Captain Lawrence Brewing Company in Pleasantville, Westchester's only microbrewery, by picking up one of their seasonal - and local - specialties.