image source: EatingWell
It’s almost time for the biggest football game of the year, and what better way to celebrate than with friends, team spirit, and tons of great food? While all of this sounds fun, game day party snacks aren’t always the healthiest.
Heavy dips, processed meats, deep-fried wings and appetizers, and copious amounts of chips can throw our healthy eating off track at these celebrations. Instead of the usual football fare, try serving these lighter – and equally tasty – alternatives.
#1: Easy Vegetarian Chili from EatingWell
Slow cooker chili is filling and delicious – but when made with tons of ground beef and topped with handfuls of cheese and sour cream, it can be high in saturated fat. This veggie-based chili from EatingWell is packed with tomatoes, red bell peppers, protein-rich black beans, and seasoned with fresh onion and garlic for a boost of flavor. By skipping the calorie-rich toppings and serving with a scoop of brown rice, this chili is sure to power you through that final quarter.
#2: Lemon Pepper Chicken Kebabs from Cooking Classy
Planning a game day BBQ? Step away from processed meats and whip up these delicious kebabs. Made from lean chicken breast sandwiched between freshly grilled vegetables, the fresh seasoning and low calorie count is sure to wow your guests.
#3: Pesto Turkey Burger Sliders on Sweet Potato Buns from Ambitious Kitchen
Craving sliders but not looking forward to the extra fat and refined grains? These pesto turkey burger sliders are an excellent compromise. Made with lean ground turkey and topped with fresh veggies, hummus, and pesto, these flavor bombs are sure to be a game day hit. This recipe also uses roasted sweet potato discs instead of traditional bread rolls for an extra wow factor.
#4: Classic Pico de Gallo from Cookie and Kate
Skip the creamy dips for your Super Bowl soiree and prepare a fresh bowl of pico de gallo instead. Low in calories and packed with veggies, many people usually serve this refreshing condiment with tortilla chips – which add extra calories to your game day meal.
Instead, serve your pico de gallo with fresh vegetables. Kale chips, zucchini chips, and baked sliced yams are delicious alternatives if you’re missing the crispy crunch of those chips. Pico de gallo also pairs well with fresh vegetables like sliced bell peppers, broccoli crowns, and cucumber slices.
#5: Sweet Potato Skins with Guacamole from EatingWell
This recipe combines two classic game day foods into one: potato skins and guacamole. But this recipe gives us the best of both recipes, cutting out the salty tortilla chips and fatty bacon.
Prepared with homemade guac stuffed inside a crisp roasted sweet potato, these treats are sure to delight your guests. Save the scooped-out sweet potato flesh for a light dessert, like mashed sweet potatoes.
With these delicious and nutritious snacks, we hope that you find the football-watching fuel you need. Enjoy the game this weekend, and remember to eat smart!
