Savory Snacks For The Win

[This article was written by Margaret Apura, a registered dietitian on Amwell.]

Did you know that people will eat up to a whopping 6,000 calories this weekend? Enjoy the game and big football party without worrying about your waistline with these tips,  

• Eat a healthy breakfast and lunch and don’t forget to have a few healthy snacks throughout the day. If you eat healthy foods throughout the day you’ll be less likely to overeat during the gathering.
• Go for a walk or hit the gym to boost metabolism and burn some calories before the big game.
• Alternate alcoholic beverages with a glass of water to prevent dehydration and a Monday morning hangover.

Hosting the big football party this weekend?  Score a touchdown with your guests by adding these recipes to your menu:

1. Veggie platter with dip: Prepare a colorful vegetable tray with red and green peppers, baby carrots, and cherry tomatoes.  Serve with roasted red hummus or other favorite dip.

2. Cheese: The key to a good cheese patter is to serve a variety of hard and soft cheeses with at least one or two familiar cheeses.  Some tasty varieties include gouda, aged cheddar, and brie.  Enjoy with sliced apples, dried fruit, nuts and whole grain crackers. 

3. Baked chicken wings: You can’t have a football party without wings!  Try this healthier, baked recipe instead.

4. Multigrain tortilla chips and guacamole: Look for a whole grain variety of tortilla chips with 2 or more grams of fiber per serving.  Serve with this easy guacamole recipe: 2 ripe avocados mashed + 2 TBS favorite salsa + ¼ tsp garlic powder + squeeze of lime juice.  Mix all ingredients together and enjoy! 

5. Spicy nut mix: Let your guests munch on a spicy nut mix instead of the usual empty calorie chips.  Nuts are packed with protein, fiber, and other vitamins and minerals!  Here’s the recipe

6. Deviled Eggs: Deviled eggs are the perfect protein-packed party food!  To make deviled eggs scoop out the cooked yolk and mix with mayo and seasoning like salt, pepper, and cayenne . Fill each cooked egg white with the yolk mixture and enjoy. 

7. Turkey chili: Chili is always a crowd pleaser but some versions are loaded with fat and sodium.  Try this healthy and tasty version instead: Heat a large saucepan over medium heat.  Add 1 lb. of lean ground turkey and 1 package of reduced-sodium taco seasoning.  When ground turkey is almost done, stir in one (28-ounce) can of ground, peeled tomatoes, one (15.5-ounce) can of kidney beans, and one (15.5 ounce) can of black beans.  Bring to a low boil, cover, and reduce heat to low.  Cook for 1 to 2 hours on low heat. 

8. Fruit tray with Greek yogurt dip: Strawberries, bananas, apple slices and grapes all make good dippers! Try this quick Greek yogurt dip: Mix 6 ounces of plain Greek yogurt with 1 teaspoon of honey, ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, and ½ teaspoon of vanilla. 

Still stumped on what to bring to the football party this weekend? Dietitians on Amwell are only a click away, in your kitchen, the supermarket, wherever you are.