Hosting a gathering for game day? Here are a few healthy appetizers and some of the best snacks for watching football games at home. Plus, get plenty of vegetarian and vegan recipe ideas to serve at your next game day party!
Whether you’re making a spread for the big game, March Madness or the next World Cup, these tips and ideas for healthy game day eats are going to score!
Celebrations often lead to indulgence and that’s ok at times. But if you’re reading this, you’re probably looking for ways to keep it healthy more often than not. So, I’m sharing some easy ways to add a few healthy options on the table to balance things out.
Add fruits and veggies
Grilled vegetable skewers and pasta salad are ideal for game day spreads. You can also add fruit to the mix with a fruit salad or simple Peach Caprese Bites. These ones are especially helpful when it’s warmer outside since they don’t require cooking.
These Cheesy Cauliflower Bites are another favorite appetizer. You can serve them solo or with marinara sauce. They can also be prepped ahead of time.
Break out the beans. Add black beans to quesadillas, chili or salads for extra protein, fiber, and flavor. Though all beans deliver incredible nutrition benefits, the color compounds that give black beans their dark color (called anthocyanins) provide antioxidants that may help protect and repair your body’s cells.
Healthy dips
Make a higher protein, healthy spinach dip by swapping in whipped cottage cheese or Greek yogurt for mayo typically used in traditional recipes.
Hummus and spreads like my roasted garlic white bean dip are also perfect game day recipes. You can make dips ahead of time or even buy them pre-made. Set out a variety of options for your guests to choose. Serve some chilled and others warm. Add fresh wedges of cucumber or bell pepper, carrots or broccoli and warm pita or cassava chips to serve.
Add guacamole. With avocado as the base, guacamole is packed with heart-healthy fats and fiber to help you feel satisfied. Though tortilla chips are standard, mix it up with cassava or plantain chips.
Or use avocado as a spread in these Chipotle Shrimp Guacamole Bites.
Try different wraps
Consider using romaine lettuce, Napa cabbage, collard greens or kale leaves for a veggie-forward wrap. The greens help lighten things up and add a refreshing crunch. Use the same filling you’d make for any kind of tacos and call them lettuce cups or wraps.
Make these Sesame Ginger Tuna Lettuce Cups for a healthy game day lunch recipe.
Drinks
Add some healthy ingredients to your drinks. Whether you are throwing a dry party or one with alcohol, consider adding some healthy e
Fruit is a natural sweetener for beverages. Make a batch of Blood Orange Mocktails or Honey Peach Iced Tea for alcohol-free options.
Peach White Wine Slushies and Spiked Raspberry Lemonade are perfect adult beverages made with lots of fruit!
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