NFL Championship weekend is upon us, which means that the Super Bowl is a mere fortnight away. For the majority of America, that usually means a marathon of greasy foods and creamy dips, which can add a few pounds to the scale. As you begin to plan party favors and snacks this year, try giving your party a healthy spin! Here are some simple changes and recipes that can help you focus less on watching your calories, and more on watching the game.
1. Set aside a food-free space
“Out of sight, out of mind.” The sheer volume of food at parties is one of biggest troublemakers for those attempting to avoid temptations during game day parties. Studies show that food being near and visible statistically leads to more subconscious consumption. Set up the snacks in another room to curb mindless eating and help everyone save calories.
2. Serve low-calorie foods first
Studies have found that people tend to eat the largest amounts of the foods they eat first. And when you’re hungry, you tend to choose and overeat starchy foods. During the first half of the game, offer lower calorie foods like fresh veggies and the light dip like the recipe below. You’ll still be able to enjoy your favorite game day foods, but you won’t eat as much since you’ve filled up on healthier options beforehand.
3. Make healthier versions of fan favorites
Pizza, wings, chips, and dip are must-haves at any Game Day gathering, but they don’t have to be loaded with calories. See the recipes below for some suggestions.
4. Downsize your dishes
People have a tendency to overload their plates. Offer guests small plates instead of large ones. Lighter plates can help mentally gear you towards a lighter you. Also, studies have shown that when served in a larger bowl, people take 77% more food than those using a medium sized bowl. Serve your food in medium and small bowls. You can always refill them.
5. Offer simpler low-calorie drinks
Drinks can be loaded with calories. Here are some delicious lighter versions to try.
Recipes:
Fajita Chicken Dip
Serves 4
Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cup Cottage Cheese, 1%
• 1 cup Raw Cauliflower
• 1 cup Raw Celery
• 1 cup Raw Peppers, Green
• 1 cup Raw Peppers, Red
• 1 tbsp Raw Scallions
• 16 olives Olives, Black
• 1 meal Fajita Seasoning Mix
• 4 oz Cheese, cheddar, reduced fat, shredded
• 2 cup Cooked Tomatoes, diced
• 3 ounce Avocado
• 12 oz Chicken, breast, boneless, skinless
• 2 tsp Lemon or Lime Juice
Additional Notes to Ingredient List:
Try canned diced tomatoes with green chilies for a little extra flavor.
Preparation:
1. Shred already-prepared chicken.
2. In a food processor, blend cottage cheese until smooth.
3. Combine chicken, cottage cheese, fajita mix, cooked tomatoes,and lemon or lime juice in a bowl and mix together.
4. Transfer mixture to a baking dish. Top with cheese and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 25-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly with cheese melted on top.
4. Garnish with scallions, avocado, and olives. Serve with non-starchy veggie dippers listed or other low carb veggies of your choice.
Each serving provides approximately 1 lean, 1 green, 1 healthy fat, 3 condiments
Zucchini Chips
Ingredients:
• 1 1/2 cup Raw Squash, Summer, Zucchini
• 1 tsp Oil, olive
• 1/8 tsp Salt
• 5 sprays Non-stick Cooking Spray
Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Line a large baking sheet or two small baking sheets with parchment paper. Spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Slice zucchini.
3. Place zucchini slices in a single layer on parchment paper.
4. Bake for 3-1/2 to 4 hours until desired crispness, turning zucchini slices occasionally.
Per serving (recipe makes one serving) provides approximately 3 Green, 1 healthy fat and 1 Condiment.
Extra Tip: For easier cook time, broil until brown on one side, flip, and brown other side.
Recipe originally from Sandy’s Kitchen Per ACollier.
Ingredients:
• 1 meal Cranberry Mango Fruit Drink
• 8 cube Ice
Additional Notes to Ingredient List:
1 can Hansen’s Tangerine Lime Soda
Use as many ice cubes as desired
Preparation:
1. Combine all of the ingredients into a glass and enjoy.
Bonus Tip: Blend ingredients together until smooth for a frozen treat.
One Serving Provides: 1 Medifast Meal
I think there is something very wrong with the punch recipe! Please let us know what the real punch is made of !
?? That’s the weirdest party punch I’ve ever heard of!!!
would be better if the labels were on the correct pics! LOL
Whoops! All corrected! Thank you
How many servings does the dip make?
Hi Mary,
It makes 4 servings.
Zuchinni chips looks yummy… Noticed oil & salt in the ingredients list but not in instructions. Guessing toss the zuchini in the olive oil & add salt as desired?
Also, what does the parchment paper do and will tinfoil work just as well?
Thank you for the idea!
Correct, toss in the oil and salt. And the parchment paper keeps it from sticking. I find tin foil traps mor of the moisture, so it’s a little tougher to get them as crisp. But if you don’t mind, then yes, tin foil can work too.
now this is cool- I will definately try the zucchini chips!
Can I follow the same insturctions that you use for the Zucchini for Eggplant?
I haven’t tried it, but it sounds like it’d be good! Give it a shot and let us know how it goes. If you really like it, send a picture and we’ll post a new recipe from you for all the eggplant lovers out there!
Can you use sour cream instead of cottage cheese in the dip? Thanks!
If you can find a light sour cream that has a similar carb level as the cottage cheese, then yes, you can substitute.
running the oven for 4 hours for a few zucchini chips seems a bit wasteful of energy, even roasted potatoes don’t take nearly that long. I’d think you’d have charred bits of vegetables?
2. In a food processor, blend cottage cheese until smooth.
3. Combine all ingredients except cheddar cheese, scallions, olives and avocado in a bowl and mix together
So you are putting whole cauliflower and celery in the mix and cooking it? Or are they your dippers? It is not clear what to do with some of the ingredients.
Sorry Jeff, those instructions were a bit confusing. I edited to make it more clear. The veggies are for dipping. Thanks!
You might want to mention that the soda needs to be diet!