Healthy Game Day Snack Alternatives

The Super Bowl isn’t just about football anymore. It’s about the halftime show, spending time with friends or family, and most importantly: the snacks!

While we love to gather around the TV with our favorite goodies, oftentimes those snacks are loaded with greasy, fattening, and processed ingredients. Registered dietician Cassidy Wright provides us with some simple, delicious, and healthy alternatives to those game-day cravings.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight or boiled for 8 minutes, and cooled
• 3/4 cup almond milk (or any dairy-free milk)
• 16 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and drained
• 5 oz. can artichoke hearts, chopped and drained
• 1/3 cup onions, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400° F.
2. Add cashews and almond milk to a food processor or high-powered blender. Blend for 1-2 minutes, or until creamy. Add additional almond milk or water if cashews don’t cream.
3. Using a spatula, transfer the cashew cream to a large bowl and scrape the sides of the blender to remove excess cream. Add all remaining ingredients and mix.
4. Transfer dip to an oven-proof dish and bake for 20-25 minutes until sides bubble.
5. Serve with whole-grain crackers, cucumbers, or other vegetables.

Cassidy says: Not only is this recipe vegan, it's also gluten-free! Adding whole food plant-based ingredients in place of higher-fat animal products is a great way to reduce saturated fat and increase fiber. 

Baked Zucchini Fries

Ingredients

• 4 zucchini, quartered lengthwise
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan
• 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. dried basil
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. chopped fresh parsley leaves

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350° F.
2. In a bowl, combine parmesan, thyme, oregano, basil, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
3. Place zucchini onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning mixture. Place into oven and bake for about 15 minutes, or until tender.
4. Broil for 2-3 minutes, or until crisp and golden brown.
5. Garnish with parsley and serve.

Cassidy says: Substituting vegetables in place of processed carbohydrates, like frozen fries, is a great way to consume more fiber and reduce calories in popular football snacks. Baking a whole food recipe like this one in place of frying or baking pre-fried frozen snack foods is extremely beneficial for your health!

Pesto & Turkey Cucumber Roll-Ups

Ingredients

• 3 medium cucumbers (each will yield about 6 slices)
• 1/4 cup basil pesto
• 6 slices part-skim Mozzarella, cut into ½ inch strips (can substitute dairy-free)
• 6 oz. nitrate-free, deli smoked turkey breast, shredded
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced into matchsticks
• 1/2 cup spinach, shredded
• salt and pepper, for seasoning

Instructions

1. Slice cucumbers lengthwise on a mandolin at 2mm. If you don’t have a mandolin, a vegetable peeler will work.
2. Place cucumber slices on parchment paper and pat dry with a paper towel.
3. Spread 1 teaspoon of pesto on each cucumber, evenly place cheese, turkey, bell pepper, and spinach on each slice. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
4. Roll up the cucumber slices and place a toothpick through the sides to hold them together.

Cassidy says: Choosing lunch meats and processed meats free of sodium nitrate/nitrite reduces the overall risks these chemicals pose to your heart and colon health.

Additionally, choosing low-fat dairy products is a great way to reduce your calorie and saturated fat intake. Foods labeled part-skim, low-fat, 2% or 1% milk-based, or skim indicate low-fat dairy product options.