Football season is coming to a close, and part of the fun is having parties with your fellow fans while the action kicks off. Although football is often known for its classic, but less-than-healthy snacks, it’s worth trying nutritious options that still make for satisfying treats.
Here are some healthy recipes that are sure to score big with your friends and family.
Roasted Chicken
Fried chicken may be a typical tailgating food, but the dish is often loaded with fat. Instead, steer clear with baked or roasted chicken, which can be just as tasty when prepared creatively.
Simply bake boneless chicken pieces in the oven, seasoned with your favorite spices like rosemary, basil or sage. Add dashes of unrefined sea salt and ground black pepper. Right after you take the chicken out of the oven, drizzle it with olive oil. You can serve this cold, too, making it an ideal on-the-go dish for tailgating.
Grass-fed Burgers
Burgers made with conventional ground beef tend to be fattening and contain unhealthy hormones. Two healthier options, grass-fed beef and turkey burgers, are just as appealing and much better for you.
Mix grass-fed ground beef in a bowl with finely chopped onions and garlic — plus unrefined sea salt and black pepper — and grill or bake to your liking. For turkey burgers, mix ground turkey with chopped onions, lemon juice and thyme for a refreshing, light entree.
Whipped Guacamole
Processed cheese dip might be a tailgating staple, but with a little effort, you can whip up a much healthier alterative made with yogurt, sour cream or avocado.
A simple guacamole can include mashed avocado, finely chopped red onion and tomato, lime juice, unrefined sea salt and ground black pepper. Serve it with chunks and slices of raw, fresh vegetables such as cucumbers, tomatoes, celery and carrots.
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Sweet Potato Chips
Potato chips may be convenient, but there’s a better option in the produce section. Make your own homemade sweet potato chips as a delicious alternative.
Wash and thinly slice sweet potatoes, and place each slice on a baking dish. Drizzle with unrefined coconut oil and a dash of unrefined sea salt. Bake your chips in the oven — checking and turning them occasionally — while avoiding the high heat that, according to Shape, cooks the nutrients out of many store bought brands.
Desserts
Tailgating wouldn’t be complete without a dessert. Store-bought cookies tend to be loaded with sugar, fat, additives and similar ingredients that can sabotage your health goals. Instead, make your own. Ingredients like almond flour, unrefined coconut oil, cacao and honey can help you create a dish that tastes just as good as conventional desserts.
Getting creative with your tailgating menu means you can have fun and be healthy at the same time. Fill up with plenty of nutritious food with these healthy tailgating recipes, and you’ll have more than energy to cheer your team through overtime.
Share your healthy tailgating recipes in the comments.