When it comes to Superbowl Sunday, not only is the football super sized but the parties and food gets super sized too! Superbowl parties are known for the beer, wings, nachos and many other processed junk food that will leave you feeling sluggish the next day. Don’t get me wrong, it’s definitely a time to indulge but what if I told you there are healthier alternatives for the traditional Superbowl favourites?
Super Bowl Snack Alternatives
1. Wings: One of the most popular appetizers for your Superbowl party could be one of the worst for your health. The amount of sodium in wings exceeds your daily limit by a ton. Try replacing traditional wings with buffalo cauliflower bites to save you loads of calories and fat without sacrificing flavour. Have you ever tried roasting cauliflower and turning this boring veggie them into bite size poppers? You can throw on a BBQ sauce or even go as light as adding some pure olive oil and sea salt. Loaded with tons of nutrients, cauliflower can make this fun night delicious, but also healthy!
2. Nachos: Nachos are a great sharing plate for the Superbowl, but how can we make this high calorie snack into a healthier alternative? Always use organic tortilla chips like Neal Brothers. Adding beans is a great topper, and they provide heart-healthy protein and fibre for your nachos. Nachos make a great base for a variety of vegetables. Pile your nachos with shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes and onions, and sliced jalapenos. Guacamole or sliced avocados or olives provide a serving of heart-healthy fats. Last but not least, top your nachos with a healthy cheese sauce from Nona Vegan Sauces.
3. Sliders: Instead of sitting at a jam packed bar watching the big game and snacking on sliders, why not stay at home and make some black bean burgers. For the bun, try using whole grain sprouted buns instead of white bread. Whole grains make you feel fuller for longer so you will likely snack on less throughout the party. You can make a batch of these and even freeze them for later.
4. Potato Skins: Instead of using white potatoes for your potato skin dish at your party, try using super food: sweet potatoes. Sweet potatoes are lower in fat than white potatoes, but are higher in fibre. Sweet potatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene). They are also a very good source of vitamin C, manganese, copper, pantothenic acid, and vitamin B6. Additionally, they are a good source of potassium, dietary fiber, niacin, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and phosphorus. They also taste great cut up into wedges for your own fries.
5. Pizza: As much as we don’t want to admit it, typical “delivery” pizza is really not good for our health. With the white carbs and tons of fatty cheese, this meal won’t be doing us any good. But who says that we have to give it up completely? There are many alternatives to still incorporate pizza into our Superbowl parties without having to eliminate the yumminess of it. For the crust, make it homemade using cauliflower or other grain free options like cassava or coconut flour. Load your pizza with roasted veggies, pesto and goat cheese for a delicious meal! You can cut up the pizza into little bite size squares which are fun to serve up at a party.
6. Quesadillas: Quesadillas are so versatile because you can add whatever fillings you like! Try adding black beans, tons of veggies like onions, tomatoes, spinach and jalapenos for a spicy kick. Guacamole and salsa are still great on the side! Opt for using a sprouted grain or corn tortilla.
7. Potato Chips: It is very common for the host of your Superbowl party to put out a bowl of chips and other snack foods as a pre-game appetizer. Stocking up on organic dried fruits, nuts and seeds from Pestacio and kale chips from The Healthy Crunch will keep your guests energized for the big game and happy!
8. Chili: This one pot dish is traditionally topped with loads of cheddar cheese and other unhealthy ingredients. It is even used to top other Superbowl favourites like sliders. An alternative for this hearty meal would be to have a warm and nourishing bowl of soup instead. Allin Mikuna makes organic soup jars and all you have to do is toss it into a pot with water, let the time tick by and voila! You have a warm bowl of hearty, chunky soup that will fill you up and keep you satisfied all game long. You can find Allin Mikuna’s organic soup jars at our Mini Market!
