Whether you’re a sports fan or a snack fan, almost everyone enjoys Super Bowl Sunday. However, if you’re still trying to eat healthy because of a New Year’s resolution, the snack spread can be a bit of a minefield to navigate. With so many of those wonderful and traditional half-time appetizers being more than a bit unhealthy, it’s a struggle to make sure that you don’t give into a cheat day.
Luckily, there are ways to make sure you can enjoy that guilty-pleasure taste of Super Bowl snack classics without the health guilt. Whether you’re hosting your nearest and dearest or you’re just bringing a dish to pass, here are three ways to make that Super Bowl spread the healthiest and tastiest it has ever been.
Focus on Portion Control
It is super easy to over-indulge on food when you have a table’s worth of it spread out in front of you. However, by portioning out servings as you prepare your snacks, you make it easier to enjoy all the tastes without stuffing yourself. From individual servings of nachos, seven-layer dip, even bacon macaroni and cheese cups, you can indulge healthily. (Plus, these recipes offer healthy ways to swap ingredients!)
Swap and Substitute
Speaking of swapping out ingredients: that’s another great way to amp up the health factor in your snacks. With a few quick swaps and some delicious substitutions, you can make classic dips like spinach and artichoke dip and jalapeno popper dip better for you and your hungry crowd.
You don’t even have to go too far out with your substitutions—grabbing whole wheat crackers or multigrain chips can boost the health factor without making you lose the flavor!
Bake, Don’t Fry
Sure, part of the deliciousness of snack food comes from how most of it is deep fried—but that way of preparation adds on extra fat and calories. Consider baking your appetizers instead! Whether you’re making chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, or even “fried” pickles, throwing this food into the oven instead of into the deep fryer is a no-stress way of keeping everything light but still tasty.
No matter who you’re rooting for come Super Bowl Sunday (or if you’re just there for the impressive halftime performance and the hilarious ads), enjoy your favorite snacks with none of the guilt!
