Healthy Dips, Nachos, Wings and Chili for Game Day
If you're as excited as I am about the Super Bowl, you've already started planning the menu. My game-day spread includes better-for-you versions from the four football food groups – dips, chili, wings and nachos!
Warm and cold dips provide a great opportunity to invite some fresh veggies to the party. Serve carrots, celery, cucumber slices and bell pepper strips for dunking, and incorporate vegetables like spinach, artichokes and roasted peppers into the dips. For even more goodness, serve along with whole-grain crackers and pita chips.
Make a big batch of hearty and high-fiber chili ahead of time. Keep warm in a slow cooker and serve fresh toppings on the side.
These deep-fried and blue cheese-smothered delights can pack in more than 200 calories per piece! Instead, try these recipes (and get more fresh ideas for lightening up chicken wings).
With tortilla chips, cheese and fresh vegetables, there's essentially nothing unhealthy about nachos – IF you can keep the portions in check! Using whole-grain chips and some reduced-fat cheese and sour cream can also help shave off a few extra calories.
Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner of Dana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.