Create a Healthy Game-Day Food Spread Hungry Sports Fans Will Love
by Autumn Jones
Football season is in full swing, and game-day parties are at their peak with the hockey and basketball seasons just ramping up. Whether you're celebrating at a tailgate before the game or hosting friends and family in your living room, you can create a game-day menu that's as tasty as it is healthy.
Making healthy game-day food is as easy as making a few substitutions or reimagining some tried-and-true fan favorites. Putting together a fresh spread gives you more energy to cheer on your team as they battle their rivals — and hopefully take home the win! Give your game day chow a new look, feel, and flavor with the following healthier alternatives.
Creamy Avocado Ranch Dip
Just because you're serving up nutritious snacks doesn't mean you have to skip the dip. Have your veggies in a creamy dip full of healthy protein that uses only four ingredients. Combine the items below in a blender or food processor and blend until smooth.
- 1 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt
- 1 large ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
- 1.5 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 (.74 oz) package ranch seasoning mix
Turkey Chili
Chili is a staple dish for sports gatherings that is especially flavorful and satisfying. To give your chili a healthy twist for game day, try this Quick and Healthy Turkey Chili from Food Network. Think of it as your favorite chili's healthier cousin.
Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip
Enjoy that buffalo chicken flavor without the heavy ingredients by making Betty Crocker's Skinny Buffalo Chicken Dip. To make this snack more user-friendly, load generous scoops of the dip into the hollow side of a celery stalk to create a savory grab-and-go treat that your guests can enjoy while still having one hand free to high-five and fist-bump when the team scores.
Cheeseburger on a Stick
Slide one meatball, cherry tomato, and cube of cheddar cheese onto a toothpick or small skewer, then drizzle with ketchup and mustard for a bite-sized bunless burger. You get all the flavors you love in a cheeseburger without the extra carbs from a larger portion. Pro tip: To save time, buy prepared meatballs instead of making your own. You can use the extra minutes to paint your face with your team colors.
Protein-Packed Lettuce Cups
Want a healthy game day food that incorporates a little greenery? Ditch wraps and buns and go for leafy greens instead. Scoop homemade or store-bought chicken salad, tuna salad, orbarbecue chicken into the large leaves of romaine, butterhead, or iceberg lettuce. Be sure to double the layers of lettuce leaves to support all the protein goodness inside.
Strawberry Sundae Bites
No party buffet would be complete without a treat. And make no mistake; even dessert can be a healthy food on game day. For a sweet indulgence that everyone will love, try Delish's healthy twist on an ice cream sundae with the Strawberry Sundae Bites. Hollowing out the strawberries makes room for a dollop of whipped cream and toppings of your choice. Just don't forget the cherry on top!
The next time you gather to root for the home team, try out these healthy game-day food options and surprise your guests with dishes that check all the boxes for flavor, nutrition, and game day appeal!