by Maureen Murphy, Manager of Consumer Trends, Nutrition and Lifestyles
The finale of the NFL season for many is all about the game, but for others who celebrate this annual sporting event, the focus is on friends, food and fun. Super Bowl Sunday is the second-largest food “holiday” in the United States, second only to Thanksgiving. It’s believed that football fans consume about a day’s worth of calories during the game, so it’s easy to see how good-intentioned New Year’s resolutions to eat better get derailed by noshing on chips and dip, pizza, chili and chicken wings.
Whether you’re the host or a guest bringing a dish, you can create lighter versions of traditional favorites for all to enjoy without sacrificing taste for better nutrition. Below are some simple tweaks to help, and since no big game party would be complete without chicken wings, you’ll score below with a delicious alternative!
- Pass up the potato chips and still get that satisfying crunch with veggies or baked pita chips
- Garlic and Herb Pita Chips https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/9365
- Dip into guacamole or hummus for nutritious flavor
- Rachael’s Smoky Guacamole https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/8614
- Add nonfat (or lowfat) yogurt, cream cheese and mayo to dips, spreads and desserts
rather than their higher fat counterparts
- French Onion Dip (not a party without it) https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/9364
- Hot Artichoke Dip https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/11723
- Swirled Cheesecake Brownies https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/9430
- Go for baked and forget the fried
- Oven-fried Zucchini Sticks https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/9350
- Boneless Buffalo Wings https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/11793
- Sriracha-Buffalo Cauliflower Bites (if it’s the buffalo flavor you crave) https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/14371
- Top pizza with extra veggies instead of meat and go light on the cheese or change it up with a cauliflower crust
- Party Pizza https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/7168
- Mediterranean Cauliflower Pizza https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/14343
- Order/make sub sandwiches with lots of veggies and lean deli meats like turkey, hold the mayo and top with tapenade or a drizzle of olive oil
- Vegetarian Sandwich with Sun-Dried Tapenade https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/6803
- Warm up with chili loaded with fiber not meat
- Vegetarian Sweet Potato Chili https://cms-uat-pch.unataops.com/recipes#/7927
- Rethink your drinks – offer fruit-infused water, seltzer or diet soda for guests to sip on instead of higher calorie and sugary beverages like alcohol, soda or juice