Healthy Super Bowl Snacks

When most people think about Super Bowl snacks, they think high calories and high fat because it’s one day to pig out on snacks. In some homes, snacks served at Super Bowl parties are almost as important as the game, but traditional football favorites are usually laden with fat, sugar and salt. This year, intercept unhealthy snacks and replace them with these healthier alternatives. Skip the fried food, add more vegetables and pack in the flavor with spices instead of calories.  Healthy eating is one of the Seven Steps to Prevent Cancer.

Follow these few tips to make your favorite snacks a little healthier.

Chicken Wings

Most chicken wings are fried and heavy in calories. Try a healthier version of this football classic by baking them. Baking chicken wings at a high temperature will give them that crisp outside without the hassle and calories of frying. It’s also less clean-up, and you won’t even know the difference!

Creamy Dips

Onion and ranch dips are musts at Super Bowl parties. Use plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, mayonnaise or creamy soups when making your favorite recipes. Yogurt has less fat and more protein. Swap out chips for veggies like cucumbers, carrots, broccoli and whole wheat crackers. 

Bean Dips

When it comes to Super Bowl dips, you can never have too many. Hummus is always a crowd pleaser, it’s filling and full of protein and fiber. Add a spicy twist with a dash of cayenne or chipotle seasoning. You can also try herbs like chopped basil or cilantro to give it more flavor without a spicy kick.

Nuts

Satisfy your crunchy cravings with roasted nuts instead of chips. Peanuts, walnuts and pecans are some of the most popular. For more flavor, try roasted varieties or wasabi style. Roasted chickpeas are also a great crunchy addition.

Pizza

Even for a large gathering, pizza is an essential addition to any party. Kick it up a notch with a thin, whole wheat crust and add veggie toppings.

Bite size appetizers

Bite size finger food is a football fan favorite. Ditch the traditional fried appetizers for stuffed mushrooms, chicken skewers or veggie roll-ups.

Now kick back and enjoy the game with your amazing healthy snack options. On holidays that usually include consuming a larger than normal amount of food, remember that moderation is key. Healthy eating is an important part of cancer prevention and has been linked to reducing your risk for cancer. To learn more about healthy eating and cancer prevention visit preventcancer.org.