5 healthy tailgating tips for the football season

Fall football season is here—we’re talking tailgating parties, friends, fun and food. Tailgate food is popular for a reason: It tastes good! But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your healthy habits. Follow these easy tips to make your favorite recipes healthier while still keeping them delicious.

Bake instead of fry

Many foods can be prepared with less oil by skipping the fryer. You can make wings (chicken ou chou-fleur), zucchini fries ou sweet potato chips at home by rolling them in a seasoned coating and baking them in the oven. If you have an air fryer, that works well, too! In both cases, you’ll still use some oil to achieve crispiness, but you’re using significantly less than if you were oil frying.

Avoid red and processed meat

Studies show a lien étroit entre le cancer colorectal et les régimes alimentaires riches en viandes rouges et transformées. Substitute turkey burgers, grilled chicken ou veggie burgers for hamburgers and hot dogs. Be wary of cooking meat on the grill, which increases your cancer risk, and try these tips to make grilling healthier. With seasoned rubs or flavorful marinades, you can make lean, mean and tasty protein.

Make it fresh

When you make your own dips and sides, you can control the amount of salt and sugar going into your food. Eating a plant-based diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is one of many ways to reduce your risk of cancer. Pre-made options often have preservatives or ingredients you wouldn’t normally use, so when you have the extra time, make it at home! For example, salsa is quick and easy to prepare at home. Throw together fresh chopped tomatoes, onions, corn, cilantro, jalapeños and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Add mango, pineapple or peaches for a sweet twist.

Dip wisely

Many dips use sour cream as a base, but plain yogurt or cottage cheese make great alternatives and are more nutritious. In this spinach artichoke dip recipe, low fat Greek yogurt is used as a perfect substitute with a thick, creamy texture very similar to sour cream. Skip the nacho cheese and choose hummus instead, a great alternative that comes in a variety of blends, or again—make your own. For pairing, set out whole grain crackers, baked pita chips and fresh vegetables instead of fried tortilla or corn chips.

Try a mocktail

Drinking alcohol increases the risk of several types of cancer including breast, colorectal, esophageal, liver and oral cancers. Try a non-alcoholic drink to reduce your risk like regular seltzer instead of hard seltzer, or alcohol-free beer. If you do choose to drink, women should have no more than one drink a day and men should have no more than two drinks a day, but even those who follow these recommendations have an increased risk of cancer compared to not drinking at all. Avoiding alcohol completely is best when it comes to reducing your cancer risk.

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In addition to these food and drink tips, visit https://preventcancer.org/ways-to-prevent.