Short of Christmas and the 4th of July, the Super Bowl is quite possibly my favorite holiday. An entire day dedicated to sports fans, tailgates, and Sunday Fun Day. What more could you possible ask for to make February a bit less dreary?
While the Super Bowl is disguised as a nationwide sporting event, we all know the REAL lineup is focused on the food (and maybe the commercials). A winning spread includes a variety of dips, meats, drinks, and munchies to allow football fans to continually graze all day long. Don’t fall into the trap of overdoing it early on game day with heavy food and drink choices, leaving you sluggish and uncomfortable for the rest of the day.
Whether you’re hosting the game or bringing a dish to a friend’s house, making delicious game day grub is key to a successful Super Bowl Sunday. Stick to these tried and true balanced game day options for a helluva good time throughout the entire game. And remember kids, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.
Skinny Southwest Sliders
Sliders are a tailgate classic. Keep it lean with ground turkey this game day and add in a few flavorful veggies like jalapeños and onions to work their magic instead.
Cowboy Caviar
This recipe is perfect if you need to whip up something quick and on the fly, because there is no cooking involved! It’s a completely cold-based dip filled with beans and veggies. So grab a bag of corn tortilla chips and hit the road with this little guy in tow.
Sweet Potato Black Bean Nachos
This recipe takes a classic indulgent food like nachos and amps it up with wholesome ingredients to bring nutrition into the conversation. With fiber from the sweet potatoes, protein from the black beans, and all sorts of veggies on top, this is a super balanced dish full of flavor that is perfect for the whole crew. The upscale way to eat nachos, because we’re fancy like that.
Buffalo Cauliflower Bites with Ranch Dressing
Cauliflower is honestly the most versatile vegetable on the market. From cauliflower crusted pizza, to cauliflower tots, and now buffalo cauliflower bites, it can pretty much replace a potato, bread, or meat in almost any recipe. These buffalo cauliflower bites taste shockingly similar to chicken wings. These little guys are so delicious and juicy, your friends won’t even know they are chomping on veggies. *Insert touchdown dance here*
Skinny Spinach and Artichoke Dip
What is a tailgate without spinach and artichoke dip?! By cutting back on the cream cheese and mozzarella and swapping in nonfat Greek yogurt, you can reduce the fat content and increase the protein, helping you stay fuller, longer during an action-packed game day. Serve with mixed bell peppers instead of chips for a real touchdown. And because spinach = health, duh.
Chicken Chili
Chili is a MUST in my house on football sunday. This chicken chili is so easy! Prepared in the crockpot and made with only 5 ingredients, this dish is a no-brainer for game day. Made with a leaner meat than ground beef, this chicken chili is a crowd-favorite every time!
A Dietitian’s Bloody Mary
If you’re going to indulge in some adult beverages, for goodness sakes, at least indulge well! Bloody Marys are a game day essential. If you do them right, they can be equally delicious and good for you. So this Sunday, put on your team’s jersey, grab a glass, fill it with ice, and read up for a kickass, nutrient-filled Bloody Mary!
New Kid on the Guac 