It’s easy to go overboard when it comes to snacking during the Super Bowl. YouBeauty Nutrition Advisor Kristin Kirkpatrick, R.D., says studies show that Americans eat about 44 percent more in social settings than when dining alone.
Kirkpatrick recommends using salad bowls and plates for main dishes and going easy on or entirely skipping fatty dips and chips, which pack a lot of calories in a small serving.
Be kind to your waistline by foregoing those jalapeno poppers and chili cheese fries while cheering on your favorite team this Super Bowl Sunday. Instead, provide your party guests with a sampling of these 10 healthy and tasty snacks. Your body will thank you—inside and out.
1Fig and goat cheese dip
– 10 oz. dried Calimyrna figs
– 22 oz. goat cheese
– 16 oz. low-fat Greek yogurt
– ½ cup honey
Try this recipe specially created for YouBeauty by Food Should Taste Good Chef Ryan Leker: Cut stems off figs and place in food processor. Process until well chopped. Add remaining ingredients and process until smooth, occasionally scraping the sides of the bowl. Serve chilled with Food Should Taste Good® Multigrain or Sweet Potato Party Pack.
By replacing traditional sour cream with Greek yogurt, you’re eliminating half the calories, one-quarter of the fat and getting a great source of protein. One cup of dried figs provides more than 15 grams of fiber, vitamin K and a host of minerals. Plus, honey can boost your energy and strengthen your immune system.
2Veggie tray with hummus
This sure-to-please offering is easy to prepare. Simply set out baby carrots, broccoli flowerets, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes and red peppers with your favorite hummus.
Consuming carrots, red peppers and broccoli can help fight acne. These veggies are excellent sources of vitamin A, an antioxidant that helps dry up sebum, which clogs pores and causes breakouts.
3Stuffed mushroom caps
– 12 mushrooms
– ¼ cup chopped walnuts
– ¼ cup grated parmesan cheese
– ¼ cup couscous
– 2 cloves garlic
– 2 tablespoons olive oil
MORE: Where to Get Your Omega-3s
Remove stems from mushrooms; simmer the mushroom caps in olive oil and garlic. Stuff with a mixture of walnuts, Parmesan cheese and cooked couscous.
Walnuts provide lutein, a nutrient that protects eyesight. These super nuts also pack loads of heart-friendly omega-3 fats, which reduce inflammation and lower triglycerides.
4Grilled tomato and Swiss cheese sandwiches on whole wheat bread
Add lettuce and spicy mustard for a little extra zest. Kirkpatrick says that putting mustard on your sandwiches provides turmeric, which has been shown to decrease inflammation and help with brain function. Cut sandwiches into halves or quarters and serve.
5Fruit tray with low-fat yogurt dip
Serve apples, pineapples, cantaloupe, kiwi, oranges, papayas and blackberries on a platter with low-fat vanilla yogurt for dipping.
In the world of fruit, kiwi is a leading source of vitamin C, which is essential in keeping skin young and vibrant. Papayas, strawberries and many other fruits also pack a mean vitamin C punch. A 2007 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a link between higher dietary intake of vitamin C and a decreased likelihood of wrinkles.
6Smoked salmon and low-fat cream cheese on whole grain crackers
Spread a dab of low-fat cream cheese on your favorite whole grain cracker and top with a sliver of smoked salmon.
Eating salmon can make your nails stronger thanks to the B vitamin biotin. Research shows that women who popped a daily biotin supplement saw a 25 percent boost in nail thickness. Choosing whole grain options for crackers, breads and tortillas also has health benefits. Whole grains are naturally low in fat and can assist in preventing high cholesterol and heart disease.
7Guacamole with veggie dippers
– Peeled, mashed avocados
– Diced tomatoes
– Garlic
– Lemon or lime juice
– Onion
– Diced cilantro
Opt for serving celery sticks, baby carrots, cucumber spears or whole wheat pita over low-nutrient tortilla chips.
Avocados are high in monounsaturated fats, a healthy type of fat that has been shown to reduce belly fat. This fabulous fruit can also give you shiny hair and glowing skin. Avocados are full of fiber, potassium and vitamins C and E.
8Homemade trail mix
Go nuts and make your own trail mix with pistachios, macadamia nuts, walnuts, cashews, almonds, dried apricots, dried cherries, dried cranberries and golden raisins. Add mini pretzels and dark chocolate chips for a hint of sweetness.
Choose raw or dry-roasted and unsalted nuts to reduce your consumption of fat and sodium.
Research suggests that munching on just one daily serving of mixed nuts may lower low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Studies also show that eating nuts lowers inflammation.
9Popcorn
Prepare your popcorn on the stove with canola oil or by using an air popper and place in small servings in baskets. Spray popcorn lightly with an oil mister and add healthy spices like cinnamon or herbs for extra flavor.
Kirkpatrick says popcorn has been shown to help with weight loss, as well as disease prevention. “It’s loaded with fiber and antioxidants, yet extremely low in calories,” she says.
10Burgers
Steer clear of greasy fast food burgers and try garden burgers or salmon burgers instead for your Super Bowl soiree. Serve with 100 percent whole grain buns and low-fat cheese and top with mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and pickles. Serve with baked sweet potato fries.
A medium-sized sweet potato contains vitamins A and C, as well as fiber and potassium. Foods with carotenoids, such as sweet potatoes and tomatoes, are shown to improve skintone.
