Healthy Game Day Snacks
By Nutritional Weight & Wellness Staff
January 31, 2023
The Super Bowl is right around the corner. Will you be watching? Regardless of whether you are hosting a shindig or attending one, you'll want to stock the table with healthy snacks to set yourself up for a healthy and fun game. Of course, typical fare isn't exactly healthy or part of the Weight & Wellness way. To help you out with a plan, we compiled five tasty, healthy recipes to try for a more nutritious game-day spread. These are do-ahead recipes that keep well in the fridge until you’re ready to lay out the spread. We like to prepare as much as possible in advance—chop up veggies, make dips, etc. You don't want to miss the commercials because you are in the kitchen!
Grilled Shrimp
Shrimp is a healthy protein containing 19-21 grams of protein per 3-ounce serving. This zippy cocktail sauce is the perfect pairing too! It doesn't contain any sugar or high fructose corn syrup, unlike most bottled brands available in the supermarket.
Ingredients
- 1 c. canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes (no-salt-added)
- 1 Tbsp. horseradish
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- ¼ tsp. Penzey's Aleppo Pepper or red pepper flakes
- 16 jumbo shrimp (about 1 lb.), peeled with tail left intact and deveined, then grilled
Directions
Combine sauce ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until smooth. Transfer the sauce to a jar and chill for at least 30 minutes before using to let the flavors meld. The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for about 1 month.
Brush shrimp with oil and season lightly with season with salt and pepper. Grill for roughly two minutes per side, until shrimp is opaque.
For an easy shrimp cocktail in individual glasses, follow the above instructions then spoon ¼ cup of cocktail sauce into four decorative low-rimmed glasses. Top with four cold shrimp per glass. Sprinkle with the parsley and garnish with the lemon wedges or slices. Keep your assembled glasses in the fridge until ready to serve—how easy is that?
Spicy Chickpeas
These flavorful baked chickpeas are a great swap for chips, crackers or pretzels. An added benefit is that they are high in fiber.
Ingredients
- 1 (15-oz.) can chickpeas (or 1-1/2 cups cooked chickpeas), drained, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 tsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. coriander
- ½ tsp. Garam Masala
- ½ tsp. Aleppo Pepper
- ¼ tsp. salt
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. In a small bowl, toss the chickpeas with the oil, coriander, Garam Masala, Aleppo Pepper, salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake for 45 minutes, or until crisp and slightly browned. Serve warm or cool.
Barbacoa Meatballs and Guacamole
All the football fans will love these tasty meatballs that are easy to make and easy to eat!
Meatball Ingredients
- 2 lbs. ground beef (use 80/20)
- 2 tsp. minced garlic
- 2 tsp. ground cumin
- 2 tsp. smoked paprika
- 2 tsp. dried oregano
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp. ground coriander
- 1/4 tsp. Aleppo Pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- Zest of 1 lime
Directions
Preheat your oven to 400ºF. In a large bowl, thoroughly mix together all ingredients. Use a scoop to portion the meatballs into a 9"×13" oven-safe baking dish. Bake until cooked through, about 20-25 minutes.
Guacamole Ingredients
- 2 ripe Haas avocados
- Juice of 1 lime
- Salt to taste
Directions
Mash all ingredients together. Spread guacamole on the bottom of a plate. Put a toothpick in each meatball and place meatballs on top of the guacamole.
Wild Rice Meatballs
We're on a meatball kick this winter and this wild rice recipe is one of our favorites. We might suggest doubling or tripling the recipe for a big crowd or even better leftovers after the game is done!
Ingredients
- 1¼ lb. ground beef
- 1 organic egg, slightly beaten
- ½ c. onion, finely chopped
- 1 c. cooked wild rice
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. garlic powder OR finely chopped garlic to taste
Directions
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Combine ingredients and shape into 12 meatballs, approximately 1½ inches in diameter.
• Place meatballs on baking sheet and bake for 30-40 minutes or until brown.
Thai Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are the constant on any buffet table for a reason, they are so good! We love this spin on the recipe, but if you prefer a classic version our Salmon Deviled Egg recipe is another winner. Before you start hard-boil the eggs as you like, for our take on perfect hard boil click here.
Ingredients
- 6 hardboiled eggs
- 1 Tbsp. coconut milk
- ½ - 1 tsp. soy sauce or fish sauce
- 2 Tbsp. mayonnaise
- ½ Tbsp. green Thai curry paste
Directions
- Cut eggs in half and remove yolks (this recipe is perfect for six eggs, feel free to double or triple depending on how many you'd like to make)
- Combine yolks in a food processor/blender with the above listed ingredients
- Fill eggs and garnish with cilantro leaves and a drop of Sriracha Sauce if you like a little heat
And that's a wrap! Let us know what you end up snacking on! Nothing strike your fancy? We have plenty more great options for healthy snacks and meals this Super Bowl Sunday.
Go [Insert Who You'll Be Cheering For!] and have a great weekend.
