Lighten up your Game Day party!
This Sunday, don’t “fumble” on your healthy eating resolutions. (It is only February, after all). Enjoy the party and splurge on some yummy snacks that don’t add yardage to your waist line.
To help you out, I’ve compiled a top 10 list of lighter football fare that’s perfect for noshing while watching the big game (10 snacks: that’s 1 touchdown and 1 field goal worth, if anyone is counting).
1. Offside Chicken Fingers
Forget the traditional wings. Whip up some Ultimate Chicken Fingers (lighter recipe) and make them as spicy as you are used to and you won’t miss them! Add a little cayenne if your crowd is an extra spicy one.
2. Super Bowl Sliders
Sliders are a great option because healthy eating is all about portion control. Serve up Easy Hamburger Sliders, or try little garden burgers, turkey burgers, or even shredded chicken breast with a little bbq sauce. Extra point if you use mini wheat buns.
3. Quarterback Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes are higher in vitamins, and this baked sweet potato version will keep any fry-cravings satisfied.
4. “49er” Chili
Name these Slow Cooker Turkey Chili or Tex Mex Turkey Chili recipes after your favorite team (in our house, it’s the 49ers). They both use ground turkey instead of ground beef so you can keep them light! You won’t sacrifice taste, just calories.
5. Hail Mary Nachos and Homemade Salsa
You’ll want to tackle these healthier nachos. Start with a base of low fat or baked tortilla chips. Go light on the cheese, but pile on lots of other goodies: black olives, salsa, green onions, diced tomatoes, onions, beans, jalapeño peppers, and shredded chicken. Top with low fat sour cream. With all the textures and flavors, you won’t miss gobs of cheese and full fat sour cream.
Also, consider an easy homemade salsa for your nachos!
6. 1st Down Fruit Kabobs
With their bright colors and natural sweetness, fruit kabobs are a great way to have a little fun with your food but not go overboard on the calories. Consider serving a dip along side, like this Whippy Orange Creme Fruit Dip.
7. Penalty Pizza
Lighten up your pizza by using a whole wheat pizza crust and lots of veggies for toppings. You can even get more into the spirit by making Football Spinach Pizzas.
8. Full Back Onion Rings
Only a portion of the calories, but full taste and crunch with these! Follow the recipe for these Beer-Battered Onion Rings with Cajun Dipping Sauce, but skip the fryer. Instead bake them at 450 degrees for 10 minutes on each side. Serve hot and no one will miss the grease.
9. Defense Dip
I call this defense dip because it is a defense against high calorie creamy dips that you find at gatherings. The white beans have the same creamy consistency of mayo or cream cheese dips, but pack a ton of fiber and fewer calories. So serve up some White Bean Dip and score!
10. Play Book Cupcakes
Keep this trick in your secret playbook! Make your favorite Betty Crocker cake mix, substituting applesauce for the oil. No one will miss the extra calories when enjoying this sweet treat! Get creative with your decorating: green “grass” frosting with a candy football perhaps? Or check out these cute Football Cupcake Pull-Aparts.
Don’t forget to keep this list close at hand when planning your game day party…it will help you keep your tight end. 
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