Goals glorious goals may be the football chant fans are hoping will be resounding in living rooms across England this month but the intensity of World Cup fever is likely to spark a chorus of food glorious food instead.

Of course a World Cup wouldn’t be a World Cup without the odd party.

But now that simple June barbecue can come completely World Cup branded with food and drink getting a footie makeover to make the most of the jubilant mood sweeping England.

We expected the T-shirts, the hats and even the garden gnomes to come complete with a red and white colour scheme as part of the celebrations.

But it may come as a surprise to some that they can pick up a Three Lions salad or a St George’s Cross chocolate milkshake or even some football feast Cornflakes.

And what about the Come on England ice-cream made with Vanilla and Raspberry to create the St George’s Cross in the chilled treat so popular during the summer months?

Or the heavily promoted Cadbury’s Shoots – little balls of chocolate the Midlands-based company is planning on selling lots of this month.

Everything it seems is ripe for the picking when it comes to a little football fever.

Even the common British favourite – the humble sandwich.

Only it’s not quite so humble anymore as Marks & Spencer gives the culinary staple a twist of its own to mark the efforts being made in South Africa to win a very special cup.

The High Street chain has launched specially crafted sandwiches to celebrate the World Cup with ingredients reflecting those countries taking part.

They have also added a specially-created pizza for those hoping to boost the snack content of their kitchen cupboards and fridges ahead of the World Cup.

Tesco have gone one step further with its singing sandwich for the World Cup.

Using the same technology as in talking greetings cards, the sandwich comes in special packaging which triggers the famous football chant ‘ole ole ole ole’ when opened.

Tesco is selling the limited edition fiery Jalapeno Chicken sandwich, inspired by the England team’s spicy diet of tabasco sauce, wasabi paste and sharp English mustard.

Tesco food developer Laura Fagan said: “We think the sandwiches will be popular snacks for anyone wanting to see the lunchtime or afternoon games and for that reason we wanted to offer fans something substantial.”

And it’s no wonder the High Street has got a taste for the World Cup which is expected to bring a massive spending spree their way this month with results from May already a positive sign that the starting whistle has blown on a football frenzy in the shops.

The catering industry is expecting a £50million bonus with those places that offer delivery to see sales rise the most in the next month.

Professor Joshua Bamfield from the Centre for Retail Research said he thinks that kind of product offered by Tesco and Co will be successful, as people are embracing the World Cup more than ever this year.

“There is World Cup merchandise everywhere this year and some people are even giving away free televisions if England wins,” he said.

But with so many fast-food outlets and so-called junk foods keen to capture the mood with football branding it of items has led to warnings about healthy eating.

The Food Standards Agency has issued its own guidelines amid worries that people watching all the action in South Africa will not engage in much physical activity during the next four weeks and possibly resort to snacking.

There are also worries that most of the sponsors represent some kind of unhealthy food group.

McDonald’s, Coca Cola and Budweiser are among those sponsoring the event in South Africa in June and July.

The World Cancer Research Fund has urged parents to promote healthy eating to their children while the games are on and to keep them active.

But it’s not just children causing concerns.

Some research suggests TV football fans will put on an average of almost five pounds during the four weeks of the tournament.

Research conducted by Men’s Health magazine found that during each game a man will drink four cans of beer, eat three slices of pizza, half a bag of crisps and half a pot of dip, which is the equivalent of 1,913 calories.

It is estimated that most fans will watch an average of 38 hours of football action.

Separate research by the internet shopping service Ocado, suggests the nation will be downing huge quantities of food and beer in front of the games.

During the last World Cup it saw a 78 per cent increase in sales of tortilla chips and 116 per cent rise on dip sales.

Lager sales rose by 53 per cent and champagne by 23 per cent.

Sales of barbecue food and equipment soared by a staggering 272 per cent.

So the party is definitely on with just a day to go before the football tournament starts. But it might be one where the World Cup branding should be digested with care.

Mel Jenkins of Cracked Wheat Organics which has shops in Newtown and Welshpool maintains there are plenty of tasty alternatives for a very healthy World Cup feast bonanza.

“If throwing a BBQ make your own lean-meat burgers and swap white baps for brown,” she added.

“If you’ve had enough charcoal, home-made picnics and fresh pasta salads make a delicious change.

“Raw food bars with fresh fruit and nuts are a great energy-boosting footie snack, and wholesome fresh fruit smoothies are a brilliant, nutritious alternative to fizzy drinks, not to mention the usual beer!

“You could even make your own fresh fruit sorbets and ice lollies – the kids will love them.”

“The food Standards Agency website includes advice on hosting a healthier barbecue and ordering a more balanced takeaway and how to host the perfect World Cup Party.

* Take a look: www.eatwell.gov.uk/healthydiet/foodforsport/worldcup2010/

By Tracey O’sullivan