The time has come! It’s fast approaching – the one day of the year when Americans put aside their opposing political views and unite for a great day of super awesome commercials and super yummy snacks. Oh, there’s a football game on, too!
If you made a New Year’s resolution to drop holiday pounds, then you don’t want to blow all your hard work over the last couple of weeks on a single cheat day. You and I both know that the few moments of joy won’t be worth the guilt you’ll feel once Bey hits the stage.
Between the fried wings, cheesy nachos and all that beer, you can easily spin the scale in the wrong direction. Would you believe me if I told you that there are plenty of healthy Super Bowl snacks that you can enjoy guilt free? They’re so good, in fact, no one will know they’re also good for you.
Asian Turkey Sliders
Finger foods rule the scene on Super Bowl Sunday. These Asian Turkey Sliders are a bit like setting up a taco bar. Instead of fat-laden taco shells, you swap in lettuce. Instead of fatty beef, you swap in some lean turkey. Bring on veggie garnishes and metabolism-revving Sriracha for a topper and you’ve got a winning snack.
Guacamole with Queso Fresco and Baked Chips
We’re all aware of the nutritional powerhouse that is the avocado. Avocados contain the good fat you want in your diet. Make it into a delicious dip with tomato, onion, cilantro and lime. The real problem with guacamole are the chips. That’s why you’ll want to serve baked chips as a low-fat crunchy alternative. You can also dip veggies in your guac! Snap peas and bell peppers are both delicious dip-ables. Try having one veggie per chip. You’ll fill up from the fiber and healthy fats and still get the salty crunch you crave from the chips!
Lemon-Drop Chicken Wings
Could you make it through Super Bowl Sunday without a chicken wing? Instead of frying the wings – bad – this recipe for lemon-drop chicken wings calls for baking them – good. The real kicker comes with the spicy tang from the sauce. Your guests will definitely want a replay.
Chicken Chili
Speaking of chicken, you might want to brew up a batch of savory chicken chili. By substituting the cluck for the moo, you can lighten up the recipe by leaps and bounds. Be sure to have low-fat cheese for a topping.
Twice-Baked Jalapeño Sweet Potatoes
We all know when it comes to spuds, sweets are better than Idaho (sorry, Idaho, you know it’s true). Tasty twice-baked sweet potatoes are chock full of beta-carotene, fiber, and TONS of flavor. These sweets are a taste sensation with spicy jalapeños, smoky bacon, and savory cheese. And yes, I promise, you can enjoy these guilt free!
Alcohol
Let’s start with your Super Bowl beverage consumption. This is where a lot of people who are looking to lose weight get tripped up. There is a lot of sugar in alcohol. They don’t call it a beer belly for nothing. The best approach for drinking even beyond Super Bowl Sunday is to adopt the glass half-full rule of thumb. This is where you actually pour your own drinks but set the limit at half of a glass. That works for both beer and wine, and will make a big difference at the end of the night.
Even with all this yummy goodness, moderation is still the key word of the day. You only need a taste or two to satisfy the urges. Don’t forget to take part in the half-time pick-up game. It’s the best way to work off all those calories!
