Easy Super Bowl Sunday Snacks!
By Amanda Turner MS, RD, CSSD
Superbowl 51 is almost here! Do you have your menu planned for the big day? Here are a few of my favorite snack ideas for the big game that are delicious and can help you balance favorite tastes (I.e. cheese) with healthy fare.
Bruschetta and whole grain crackers
Ingredients:
- 2lb heirloom tomatoes, diced
- ½ cup fresh basil, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp olive oil
- Pinch salt
- Pinch black pepper
- Ricotta cheese-optional
- Whole grain crackers (try Triscuits, 365, or brown rice crackers for gluten free)
Directions:
In a large bowl, add tomatoes, basic, garlic, vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Combine and refrigerate for 15-20 minutes. Top your cracker with 1 tsp ricotta (optional) with tomato mix on top. Enjoy!
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Ingredients:
- ½ cup plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
- 4oz lowfat cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup blue cheese
- ½ cup hot sauce
- 1 lb baked chicken, diced (fresh or canned)
Directions:
Mix all ingredients together in a saucepan. Heat on medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly. This is great served with chopped veggies like celery, carrots, cucumber, broccoli and cauliflower. The veggies are a great vessel to enjoy the creamy, cheesy dip, and they also help you feel more full than a cracker to avoid overeating.
Chicken Nachos
Ingredients:
- 10 baked tortilla chips
- 4oz baked chicken, diced
- ¼ cup shredded cheese
- ¼ cup canned, no salt added black beans, drained and rinsed
- ¼ cup salsa
- ¼ cup guacamole—optional
- Chopped green onion to top—optional
Directions:
Place all toppings on top of tortilla chips. Microwave for 30-60 seconds, until cheese is melted. Enjoy!
“Fried” Chicken Tenders
Ingredients:
- 1lb chicken breast
- 1 cup egg whites (about 6 whites)
- 2 cups crushed corn flakes
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Cut chicken into 1-2” wide strips. Dredge in egg whites then corn flakes, and place on baking sheet. Bake for about 30 minutes or until chicken reaches 165F.
Grilled fruit skewers
Ingredients:
- Pineapple, diced
- Apples, diced
- Peaches, halved
- Honeydew melon, diced
- Cantaloupe, diced
- Skewers
Directions:
Cut fruit into large 2-3” squares or segments. Thread fruit alternatively onto skewers. Place on hot grill until caramelized (2-3 minutes), turn, and caramelize the opposite side.
Beverages
Superbowl is often full of alcoholic beverages. If you choose to imbibe for the game, here are a few ways to moderate and feel great the next day:
- Choose to moderate liquor portions to 1.5oz in your drink.
- Alternate between an alcoholic beverage and a non-alcoholic beverage.
- Choose sugar-free mixers: soda water, sparkling flavored waters (like La Croix or Dasani Sparkling), diet soda/diet tonic, or Crystal Light/Mio type of water enhancers.
- Avoid high-sugar mixers: regular sodas, juices/juice drinks, regular tonic, Gatorade, or simple syrups.
- Choose light beers or drink heavier, microbrews in moderation. Microbrews can have as much alcohol as a glass of wine!
- Serve 5oz pours of wine to moderate.
