Whether or not your team made it to the big game, the Super Bowl is always a party. Who doesn’t love getting together with their friends and yelling at the TV for a few hours? And no Super Bowl is complete without the amazing snacks — wings, dips, chips, oh my!
But there is a downside. These tasty foods aren’t great for anyone looking to lose or maintain their weight. In order to help you through the big day, we’ve put together a list of simple cheats so you can enjoy the football fun while still keeping your healthy lifestyle in mind. Go team!
At Home:
Hosting the game day party is the easiest way to ensure you’ll be able to nosh on healthy snacks. And healthy doesn’t mean unsatisfying rabbit foods. You can still have all the classics — without the side of guilt.
Snacks:
Broccomole
Good guacamole is enough of a reason to celebrate — but healthy too? This recipe is made without avocados, keeping it at 25 calories a serving (yum!). Feel free to add an avocado into the mix and serve with carrot sticks, celery, or baked chips.
Boneless Buffalo Wings
A Super Bowl Party isn’t complete without Buffalo Wings. Try this recipe that features boneless wings that are baked instead of fried, leaving you with a fraction of the fat, calories, and sodium. Touchdown!
Baked Mozzarella Sticks
Who doesn’t love mozzarella sticks? This delicious recipe is baked instead of fried, retaining all of the flavor without the greasy mess.
Turkey Burger Sliders
Burgers are a classic game day food. This nifty spin uses lean turkey meat to cut down on fat and calories. Plus, they’re mini, leaving you with more room in your budget for other snacks.
At a Friend’s:
After your own home, a friend’s is the next best place to watch the game while staying healthy. Sure, your pal may serve up some unhealthy treats, but bring your own recipe (or two) so you have something guilt-free to snack on. (Plus, brownie points for being the most polite guest at the party!)
Choose from any of the recipes above or some below.
Snacks:
Sweet Potato Skins
This tasty dish is a spin on the classic potato skin, but substitutes sweet potatoes in for white potatoes. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of Vitamin A, an antioxidant superstar that is linked to anti-aging, cancer prevention, and the maintenance of eyesight. They also have fewer calories than white potatoes.
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Spinach and Artichoke Dip
This tasty spinach and artichoke dip uses greek yogurt to lighten up on calories without giving up flavor. It has 50% less cholesterol, 56% less fat, and 40% less salt than restaurant spinach and artichoke dip. Serve it warm and cheesy—your football loving friends will never know it’s healthy!
At a Bar
Bars are a great place to watch the game. There are tons of fans, the energy is high, and so many TVs you’ll never miss any of the action.
Unfortunately, bar food is not known for its nutritional benefits. But if you end up at your neighborhood pub, don’t worry. There are always options that will watch out for you waistline.
Snacks:
Vegetarian Quesadilla
You don’t need to miss out on the snacking fun just because you’re at a bar. Order a vegetarian quesadilla! Get it filled with veggies and black beans instead of meat and cheese (you could save 700 calories.) and don’t go overboard with the dips. (A restaurant serving of sour cream and guacamole is about 200-250 calories.)
Hamburger
Love burgers? No worries. To save calories, skip the fixings. Bacon, fried onions, and cheese can add up to 300 calories. Feeling extra healthy? Skip the bun as well. Dress your burger with the classics—ketchup, mustard, lettuce, tomato, and pickles.
Veggie Pizza
One slice of veggie pizza contains about 200 calories (opt for thin crust to keep the carbs and calories low). Order two slices and eat them slowly. Savor the taste so you won’t be tempted to go back for more.
Drinks
So we’ve got the food covered. But a big portion of Super Bowl fun is missing—the drinks! If you decide to opt out of booze, good for you. But we know most will be indulging in at least a bit of game time fun.
The best options for alcoholic beverages are light beers, red or white wine, or liquor mixed with soda water. (Beware tonic water! It has lots of sugar.) Alternate alcoholic drinks with water to keep yourself hydrated and avoid being that person at the bar. Plus, you won’t find yourself with a case of the drunk munchies. Enjoy!
