America’s biggest day is almost here: Super Bowl Sunday! But the golden combination of wings, beer, football and friends can easily become a tradition of mass calories and couch-sitting (except when jumping up for a touchdown, of course).
But never fear, athletes! You can still celebrate the big game without ruining your Monday morning run. We’ve compiled this list of nutritious and, of course, delicious, snacks for your Super Bowl party that won’t ruin your appetite, your fun or your training.
Take a look and try not to lick the screen!
Buffalo or Dry Rub Wings
That’s right, wings. We couldn’t take away the foundation of Super Bowl snacking! Grilled wings with lemon pepper, garlic or spicy seasoning are just as tasty and protein-packed as their fried, sauce-covered cousins, but without the high fat and sodium content. If you still want to get saucy, reach for the buffalo wings as they’re low in sugar compared to BBQ or teriyaki. Just make sure to stay hydrated to counterbalance the higher sodium.
Veggies & Dip
This one is pretty self-explanatory: you can never go wrong with vegetables, and they offer a lot of variety. Broccoli alone is packed with Vitamin C, fiber, potassium and phytochemicals, which are great micronutrients for runners. Chomp down on your favorites and you won’t have to worry about a little low-fat ranch or bleu cheese dressing.
Homemade Chili
Chili is a great main dish to bring to the big game; it’s packed with nutrients and hearty enough for you to not feel like you’re skimping. Make it at home and customize it to your liking with beans, spices, onions, peeled tomatoes, peppers, carrots, mushrooms… whatever your heart desires! Keep it vegetarian or use ground turkey for low fat and stay away from loads of cheese or sugar. Instead, use spices to add that extra “something”. Try this recipe for an end product that is high in vitamins, fiber, and flavor!
Popcorn
If you’re the person that always has a snack in their hand, keep the popcorn nearby. It doesn’t offer a lot of nutrients, but there’s less fat and carbohydrates when compared to other easy-to-binge snacks like potato chips. Plus, popcorn offers many different flavor options. Don’t feel like you need to stick to butter! Old Bay, chili or chipotle powder, garlic powder, Italian seasonings with olive oil… click here for endless possibilities!
Seven Layer Dip & Chips
Yes, you can eat all seven layers! It might seem luxurious, but each layer has something to offer an athlete. Guacamole has good fats, beans have protein, and chips give you carbohydrates! Assuming you can hold back from eating it all by yourself, it’s okay to indulge in this higher-calorie treat. This easy-to-make recipe uses greek yogurt instead of sour cream.
Chips & Guac or Salsa
This follows the same logic as the seven-layer dip, but you might not have to hold yourself back as much. Guacamole is full of good fats and nutrients and you can eat it with anything from veggies to chips to eating it with a spoon! Plus, it’s so easy to make – use this recipe to make it how you like and never go storebought again! Salsa is also a simple choice and its spiciness can help speed up your metabolism, even when sitting on the sofa.
Deviled Eggs
This is another snack that you may not want to eat the whole tray of, but still shouldn’t shy away from. Besides being delicious, deviled eggs are a great source of protein and mono- and poly-unsaturated fats. Make the yolk mayonnaise mixture with avocado or olive oil mayonnaise, or try this greek yogurt recipe, to maximize good fats without compromising on flavor.
Hummus & Pita Chips
Consider this the alternative to your typical chips and salsa! A great source of protein and complex carbohydrates, hummus can be made in so many flavors that you and your crew will never get bored of this crowd-pleasing snack. Pick one from this list or make all 13!
Light Beer
Okay, so it’s not really a snack… but what’s the Super Bowl without beer?! In moderation, light beer can be a relatively healthy drink option with a few carbohydrates and, of course, alcohol. Just remember that light beer is a good choice for celebrating, but not as good of a choice for your victory lap around the block.
What will you be chowing down on this Super Bowl? Do you have any tips or tricks to make your favorites a little easier on your training regimen? Let us know in the comments below!
