Healthy Super Bowl Party Ideas

They may be tossing the pigskin on the screen but that is no reason to eat like a pig, but with some estimates placing the average number of calories consumed per person while watching the game at over 2,700 (and, yes, that does include the average 6 beers at 150 calories a piece or approximately 900 calories), that is exactly what most Americans are doing.  

2,700 calories is more than most adults should consume in a day, so it may seem impossible to eat that much over just a few hours, but the issue is not just how much is consumed but what.  Below are some ways to serve the foods that people want in a way that not only reduces the number of calories but actually delivers some nutrition without having people boycott your bash next year.

Everyone looks for finger foods at a Super Bowl party, with the most popular being chips and dip.  Most jarred salsas are made of tomatoes, peppers and onions, so they are not loaded in calories, but their delivery system, the chip is, with Fritos' Scoops at 160 calories for 10 chips or 10 tortilla chips at 146 calories. 

Help your guests limit their chips and beyond by making your own salsa and loading it with beans (Try our Black Bean Salsa recipe.).  Beans are a great source of protein and fiber, which means that they fill you up and keep you full, so start your guests with salsa, paired with a healthier chip, such as a variety of Terra Chips (some varieties boast a full serving of vegetables in every ounce, no trans fats, and approximately 16 chips at only 140 calories, not to mention with all of their colors they look great on the buffet!) or Beanitoes, which are chips made from beans (don't knock it 'til you try it-my favorite are the Chipotle BBQ, which have a great crunch and kick) or find another to suit your style from Cooking Light's list of Top 10 Healthy Chips.

The only other dip that you need is guacamole, which is too easy to make to even consider buying in a store (see our recipe).  Avocadoes are full of fat, which makes them filling, but as they are a fruit it is a plant-based fat or good fat, so offer a large bowl of guacamole, and beside it, a selection of familiar and favorite veggies (remember, you already have chips with the salsa, so a guest has chips if desired, but if you offer familiar veggies for dips, many people will readily grab them.); I always like carrot sticks, but many people prefer bell pepper strips or cherry tomatoes.

You are now well on your way to filling your guests, but now you must make a critical decision.  Do you stay with finger foods or elect an entree?  If you elect to go with finger foods, some ideas are to throw out the pigs in a blanket and offer some of the following:

Sautéed mushrooms: roll clean mushrooms in flour and toss them in a pan with 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper and cook until mushrooms are juicy.

Chicken strips: soak boneless, skinless breasts in brine for a few hours and then grill, basting with olive oil, lemon, cayenne, and oregano mixture or smoke with a honey glaze.

Potato Bites: cut a potato into 1/4-1/2 inch-thick "chips" and place on a foil-covered baking sheet.  Brush lightly with olive oil and turn over.  Top with chives, lean bacon, and a sprinkle of cheese, salt, black and cayenne pepper.  Serve with a dipping sauce of plain Greek yogurt mixed with chives. 

Want a healthier and simpler option for potatoes that will add a sweet offering?  Try our Sweet Potato Fries.

If you elect an entree, stick with a classic, so that everyone is happy, but add your healthy twist.  Instead of a meat filled chili, try our Vegetable Chili, to which you could add a lean beef or turkey, and Brunswick Stew is another hearty and flavorful alternative that packs plenty of lean meats. 

Another way to please is to go with a "build-your-own" dish, such as a sandwich or make use of your guacamole and salsa and let guests make their own fajitas; all you need are shells, plain Greek yogurt, instead of sour cream (I promise no one will know), grated, low-fat cheese (let people melt it in the microwave), jalapenos, and grilled chicken, lean beef, and even fish or shrimp, which you could cook the day before.  Sauté some peppers, mushrooms and onions in olive oil and garlic just before guests arrive and everyone will be so wild over the aromas from your kitchen that they will not care that there are no chicken wings, which at about 80 calories per wing, they should be grateful!

With the warm winter, another great option is to use the grill for chicken or use our guide to select the healthiest meat for your burgers.  We also have recipes for everyone's favorite cookout foods like baked beans and German Potato Salad, if 60 degrees on Super Bowl Sunday is just too much to resist!

Most of your guests will not know nor care that their football food is healthy, so long as it tastes great and fits with the party atmosphere of the event, so reduce the fat, up the veggie count, and serve it all with flavor, flare, and at least some light beer, and you should hear cheers all night!

For other foods to choose and those to lose, check out "Eat This, Not That's" Best and worst Super Bowl foods.

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