Healthy Game Day Food Recipes

Game day can be a great temptation when it comes to unhealthy snacking. Often, we do not realize what we are eating in social situations or in front of the television, and when an occasion like the Super Bowl combines both of these two, it can really go badly for someone trying to consume a healthy diet. Try these recipes and tips to help you stay on track, even under the most trying of circumstances (say, your team's behind by two touchdowns...), and ensure that you feel good, if not about the game, at least about what you ate while watching it.

One of the most popular snacks on game day is chips and dip. Instead of chowing down on fatty potato chips and thick, high-calorie dips, have healthier options handy. Enjoy veggie sticks, such as carrots, celery, and jicama, and pick up a few bags of pita chips or baked tortilla chips, and whip up a low-fat or fat-free dip yourself, from one of the recipes on the pages listed at right.

Another favorite finger food is chicken or buffalo wings, but the options from pizza parlors are greasy, and more fat than protein. A healthier alternative is home-made oven-fried chicken strips with one of the dips or dressings mentioned above, or marinated chicken, grilled and cut into bite-sized pieces and eaten with a cocktail pick, eaten in a salad, or cut into chicken fingers.

For a main dish, instead of ordering pizza or popping something frozen in the oven, make a casserole or lasagne at home-this way you're sure to have it just the way you like it, and know exactly what you're putting in your body when it comes time to eat. If you don't feel like putting in the effort, you can easily make something delicious in your slow cooker or crock pot, throwing it together the night before or the morning of the game and letting it do the majority of the work for you.

Finally, the dessert course. Everybody loves something sweet in the final quarter, or after the game, and often it's this part of the meal that breaks the nutritional bank. Have no fear. Fat-free cookies, low-fat pies, or fruity cobblers and tarts can make you feel good about satisfying that sweet tooth. Cookies or bars are easy to portion, but for other baked goods, make sure to slice them to appropriately sized pieces ahead of time, so you aren't tempted to over-indulge in the heat of the moment.

As far as beverages go, because you'll likely have more than one over the course of pre-game, game, and post-game festivities, try to stick to diet soda and light beer, alternating with water to ensure that you stay properly hydrated. Selzer or sparkling water are also great options for sipping, that help you feel like you're not depriving yourself without adding calories. If you want, mix up a few low-calorie cocktails to responsibly enjoy, but if you are consuming alcohol, be sure to drink plenty of water as well, and don't forget to assign a designated driver!