Football season is synonymous with gatherings, cheering, and, of course, food. However, the typical game day spread often consists of unhealthy options. This article provides a variety of healthy and delicious alternatives to traditional football fare, ensuring you can enjoy the game without compromising your health goals.
Appetizers and Snacks
Dips and Spreads
Guacamole with a Probiotic Boost: Elevate your regular guacamole by adding an ounce or two of LiveBrine Probiotic Pickle Juice (Classic Kosher Dill or Turmeric + Cracked Black Pepper) in place of salt. This simple addition provides a probiotic boost that even picky eaters might not notice.
Hummus: Hummus is a tasty and healthy alternative to calorie-filled dips. The sweet and smoky flavor of hummus adds plenty of interest while remaining a high-fiber, protein-rich dip.
Black Bean and Corn Guacamole: Adding black beans and corn to a simple guac is a great way to add nutrition and flavor to one of the most popular game-day dips. Avocado is high in satisfying monounsaturated fats, and the beans add more fiber and protein.
Cucumber Salsa: Unique, fresh, crisp and full-flavored, this cucumber salsa is a fun take on a traditional pico de gallo. Diced cucumber, jalapeno, onion and tomatoes are combined with herbs and reduced-fat sour cream.
Read also: Healthy food access with Highmark Wholecare explained.
Avocado Salsa: If salsa is too spicy for your taste, serve up a dish of this cool, refreshing avocado salsa. Avocados are loaded with healthy, unsaturated fats that help you feel full and satisfied.
Chocolate Hummus: This chocolate hummus is a sweet twist on the traditional recipe. Plus, it’s so easy to make with just a handful of healthy ingredients.
Beetroot Hummus: Blending cooked beets with garbanzo beans and tahini gives this hummus a beautiful color and a deep, rich, slightly sweet flavor.
Paleo Horseradish + Black Pepper Dip and Chimichurri Guacamole: These dips are meant to perfectly compliment the taste of the Beef Thins; a Horseradish Cracked Pepper Dip and a Chimichurri Guacamole. As we all know horseradish and chimichurri always pair perfectly with beef. Feel free to pair either dip with the BBQ or Sea Salt variety of Beef Thins.
Chips and Crackers
Cassava Chips: If you've never tried Cassava chips, they pair extremely well with a variety of toppings, including creamy avocado and Muffuletta Olive Mix, which is flavor packed with fermented live culture olives, fermented vegetables, capers, garlic, and other herbs and spices.
Read also: Healthy Eating on the Run
Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers: Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers are perhaps the easiest swap to make at your football watch party. They’re a tasty alternative to tortilla chips, which are packed with extra calories and carbs. Pair Milton’s Gluten Free Crackers with any gameday dip or spread for the perfect snack.
Baked Tortilla Chips and Homemade Air-Fryer Potato Chips: Baked tortilla chips and homemade air-fryer potato chips are a healthy way to enjoy chips.
Zucchini Chips: If you’re looking to serve a lower-carb chip that you can feel good about snacking on, set out a bowl of these zucchini chips at halftime. They are perfectly seasoned and have a crispy, crunchy exterior thanks to the air fryer. For a fun twist, swap the seasonings to mimic your favorite chips.
Finger Foods
Loaded Mediterranean Cauliflower Nachos: Loaded Mediterranean Cauliflower Nachos are piled high with creamy feta cheese, crunchy cucumbers, hummus, olives, tzatziki sauce and more!
Shrimp and Avocado Nachos: Instead of traditional nachos, level up your game-day snack board with these shrimp and avocado nachos. Shrimp is a lean protein that’s low in fat and rich in vitamins, minerals and the antioxidant astaxanthin.
Read also: Mobile Dining Revolution
Zucchini Pizza Bites: Finger foods take the cake for game-day celebrations, and these zucchini pizza bites are no exception.
Crispy Air Fryer Chickpea Fritters: If you find out that someone else is bringing hummus to the party and you still want to make a snack with fiber-rich chickpeas, use them to make these crispy air-fried chickpea fritters. The air fryer cuts down on the oil needed to make a fritter that’s crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside.
Chicken Satay Skewers: Chicken satay could easily be a healthy weeknight dinner, but we also love serving the skewers as a hearty, nutrient-rich game-day snack.
Watermelon Cups: If you’re as big a fan of sweet and savory combos as I am, you’ll want to add these watermelon cups to your snack spread.
Veggie Kabobs: Trade in the usual veggie platter for these fun kabobs.
Meatball Bar: Serve meatballs with toothpicks for easy grabbing, or pair them with slider buns for a fun DIY mini sandwich station.
Buffalo Chicken Tender Dippers: These Buffalo Chicken Tender Dippers From The Whole Smiths are the PERFECT game day eat. Preheat your grill over high heat. Salt your chicken tenders and add them to a large bowl. Pour 1/3 of the New Primal Buffalo Sauce over the chicken and stir to coat. Skewer the chicken tenders onto 6 inch wooden skewers (cut yours down to make them shorter if necessary). Add the skewers to the grill and grill on each side for 5-6 minutes. Brush additional buffalo sauce over top before removing them from the grill. Remove the sewers from the grill and let them rest for 5 minutes. Add roughly 1 tablespoon of the ranch dressing into the bottom of a small cup. Add 2-3 carrot sticks, 2-3 sticks of celery to the cup along with one chicken skewer. Pour the remaining buffalo sauce into a bowl for extra dipping and serve.
Yukon Gold CRISPY Potatoes: Yukon gold CRISPY potatoes smashed thin and oven roasted, dusted with parmesan and drizzled with truffle oil for the most crave-able side dish or party appetizer.
Charcuterie Boards
Charcuterie boards are trays, boards and platters full of a variety of different foods and flavors that complement each other. Think vibrant colors, a variety of flavors, and a few fresh veggies to keep things balanced.
Deviled Eggs
A favorite go-to for an easy and affordable appetizer for your football party.
Main Courses
Meatballs
Meatballs are versatile, bite-sized, and easy to serve-perfect for feeding a hungry crowd.
Healthy Oven-Roasted Greek Chicken Meatballs: These healthy oven-roasted Greek Chicken Meatballs are bursting with vibrant Mediterranean flavors. Made with ground chicken, feta cheese, fresh herbs, and spices these healthy meatballs are perfect for meal prep or a delicious weeknight dinner.
Air Fryer Turkey Meatballs: These juicy air fryer turkey meatballs are a family favorite, healthy, quick and easy, and super versatile.
Wild Mushroom Meatballs: Rich and savory wild mushroom meatballs with fresh herbs and grass-fed ground beef.
Chili and Soups
Chorizo Chili: This dish is packed with spicy-smoky-flavor, poblano chilies, smoky chorizo, ground beef, beans, and plenty of spices.
Kale and Grass-Fed Beef Chili: 30 minute quick and healthy kale and grass-fed beef chili, loaded with good for you veggies and the perfect amount of spices. Perfect for a healthy quick weeknight meal or a long lazy Sunday afternoon.
Pumpkin Turkey Chili: This pumpkin turkey chili recipe is sweet and spicy, the perfect combination of pumpkin, ground turkey, warming spices, and lots of black beans.
Quinoa, Butternut Squash, and Bean Chili: Insanely delicious 1-pot chili with quinoa, butternut squash, and beans.
Gluten-Free Gumbo: This gluten-free gumbo isn’t just good-it’s unforgettable.
Tacos
Chorizo Street Tacos: Discover the Ultimate Chorizo Street Tacos recipe - a mouthwatering fusion of savory, spicy chorizo, zesty spices, and fresh ingredients.
Blackened Scallop Tacos: Craving a fresh and flavorful meal on the fly? Blackened scallops are magic when tucked into warm tortillas and crowned with a peppy mango and avocado salsa.
Steak Tacos: Quick and easy healthy steak tacos topped with a mouthwatering lime cilantro coleslaw.
Other Main Dish Ideas
Carnitas: Cook a big batch in your crockpot on game day, and then eat throughout the week for a savory protein addition to bowls and salads.
BBQ-Inspired Casserole: This comforting BBQ-inspired casserole combines tender chicken with sautéed veggies like carrots, onions, bell peppers, and celery. Serve with roasted broccoli, sliced green onion, and a drizzle of hot sauce (look for sugar-free hot sauce without seed oils and added preservatives).
Tostones: Plantains are typically breaded and fried, which may taste delicious but doesn’t create the healthiest game-day snack.
30 Minute Healthier Turkey Sloppy Joes with Homemade Sauce!
Zucchini Boats: This low-carb recipe for zucchini boats is filling and satisfying.
Sides
Baked Potato Bar
A Baked Potato Bar is a fun and easy way to give people a choice to customize their baked potatoes EXACTLY how they want them. Potatoes are high in fiber which helps play a role in healthy digestion while supporting a healthy gut microbiome. Feel free to experiment with sweet potatoes if you're looking to score some bonus gut health points.
Fruit Salad
Load up on high-antioxidant fruits such as wild blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, sweet cherries, red and granny smith apples, and plums.
Drinks
Bloody Mary Bar
Hand me a loaded Bloody Mary (virgin please) and I am happy for the entire day. There is only one recipe you need. Turn it into a Bloody Mary bar and your guests will love you forever! This is THE bloody mary mix recipe you need, vetted by hundreds of picky bar customers and crafted by a seasoned bartender. Just add your alcohol of choice, or enjoy it as a virgin bloody mary.
Alternatives to Soda
When you have friends over, it might be even easier to fall into habitual behavior patterns. Equally avoid soda and diet soda.
Key Ingredients and Considerations
Cauliflower
Cauliflower is surprisingly high in Vitamin C. In fact, One cup of raw cauliflower will provide around 85% of daily Vitamin C needs. When selecting your sauce to pair with your cauliflower, opt for sauces that are sugar-free, minimally processed, and without artificial flavorings or ingredients.
Antioxidant-Rich Foods
According to Mayo Clinic: "Antioxidants are substances that may protect your cells against free radicals, which may play a role in heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.
Limiting Unhealthy Ingredients
Many ingredients in game-day food spike blood sugar or lead to adverse long-term effects.
Alcohol: Chronic, excessive alcohol consumption damages the liver and can lead to alcoholic liver disease, which is associated with insulin resistance. In the short term, many people actually see their glucose levels drop after drinking alcohol, as alcohol helps break down stored glucose and interferes with the liver's ability to make more. Still, moderation is key. Try to imbibe before or during a meal rather than on an empty stomach, and stop at least three hours before bed.
Condiments: From hot sauce to blue cheese dip to ketchup, traditional condiments are often laden with sugar and other questionable ingredients. If you can, look for unsweetened versions or forgo the sauce altogether.
Carb-Heavy Vessels: Buns, rolls, tortilla chips, taco shells, and other carb-heavy vessels often contain refined flour, preservatives, and sugar. These products have been stripped of their fiber, which means the glucose from the carbs enters your bloodstream quicker, resulting in a blood sugar spike. Whole-grain products aren't always better if they're still primarily refined flour. Instead, try a taco bowl instead of a hard taco, or opt for a lettuce bun on your slider instead of a Hawaiian roll.