We’ve gathered our fan favorite recipes to help you prepare for game day without getting off track from your health goals and nutrition plan.
The biggest football showdown of the year is here, and even if you’re just there for the half-time show, it’s time to gear up for the ultimate Super Bowl party!
While game day typically involves indulging in classic, savory snacks and hearty dishes, it doesn’t mean you have to sideline your commitment to a healthier lifestyle.
Modifying recipes, including more nutrient dense ingredients and getting a little creative can help you stick to your nutrition plan while you enjoy the game or just the party.
This Super Bowl let's redefine the playbook for party food by incorporating nutritious, delicious, and satisfying options that keep you in the game without compromising your well-being.
Huddle up and explore seven fantastic Super Bowl Game Day recipes that strike the perfect balance between flavor and health:
Start strong with baked carrot fries and dairy-free avocado crema:
For the fries:
- 4 large carrots
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 pinch salt and pepper
Directions:
- Pre-heat oven to 425°F.
- Wash, peel and cut carrots in half.
- Toss carrots in olive oil, paprika, onion powder, salt and pepper.
- Spread carrots in a single layer leaving enough space between them to bake.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway.
For the crema
- 1 large avocado
- ¼ cup canned full fat coconut milk
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp lime juice
- ¼ tsp sea salt
Directions: Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy
Dip better with homemade guacamole and fresh veggies!
For the guacamole:
- 2 Avocados (ripe)
- 2 Medium carrots
- 1⁄4 Red onion
- Lime juice (fresh)(~1 TBS)
- 1⁄2 Tomato (optional)
- Cilantro (optional)
Directions:
- Rinse produce with water, then dry.
- Halve avocados, remove seed and skin, then add to a medium bowl and mash with a fork or potato masher.
- Dice tomato (optional) and red onion, and roughly chop cilantro (optional), then add to the bowl along with lime juice, 1⁄4 tsp of salt, and ground black pepper.
- Mix the ingredients in the bowl together.
Dip in your favorite crunchy veggies or healthier chips!
Super Bowl sides to please a crowd!
For the salad:
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts (trimmed, halved and thinly sliced)
- 1 pound of kale
- 1 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup parmesan cheese
For the dressing:
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- ½ cup of olive oil
- 2 tablespoons shallots, chopped
- 3 gloves of garlic, chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and bake walnuts for 6-8 minutes.
- Combine the chopped Brussels sprouts, kale and cabbage in a large bowl.
- Make dressing by combining all ingredients into a small bowl and then pour over the vegetables.
- Add walnuts and cheese on top (optional).
Let salad sit for 30 minutes before serving and enjoy!
- 2 Sweet potatoes
- Everything bagel seasoning (2 TBS)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F.
- Rinse sweet potatoes with water, then dry.
- Peel the sweet potatoes (if desired), trim the ends off, then slice lengthwise into even size rounds.
- On a large baking sheet, toss the sweet potato rounds with 2 TBS of olive oil, then arrange in a single layer.
- Bake for 15 minutes. Flip over each sweet potato round, add the “everything bagel seasoning,” and place back in the oven for 10 more minutes.
Celebrate the main event with kicked up wings and pizza!
For the Sesame Wings:
- Chicken wings (1⁄2 lb)
- 1⁄2 Yellow onion
- 1⁄2 Zucchini
- Shredded red cabbage (1 cup)
- Shredded carrots (1⁄2 cup)
- 4 TBSP olive oil, divided
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add 2 TBS of olive oil and chicken wings skin side down. Fry for 10 minutes, then flip to the other side for another 10 minutes until the internal temperature reaches 165°F, there’s no blood around the bone, and the juice runs clear.
- While chicken wings cook, rinse produce with water, then dry. Trim and peel yellow onion, then halve and roughly chop. Cut both ends of the zucchini, then thinly slice into rounds.
- In a second skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 TBS of olive oil, shredded red cabbage, shredded carrots, yellow onion, and zucchini. Cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
Chickpea Pizza:
- Chickpeas (one 29oz can)
- Basil (1 tsp)
- Oregano (1 tsp)
- Rosemary (1 tsp)
- Thyme (1 tsp)
- Salt (1⁄2 tsp)
- Black pepper (a pinch)
- Lemon juice (a squeeze)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- In a large mixing bowl or food processor, add chickpeas, 4 TBS of olive oil, thyme, rosemary, basil, oregano, black pepper, salt, a squeeze of lemon juice, and 1-2 TBSP of water.
- Mix until combined, then mash with a fork or potato masher until smooth (if using a food processor, run until smooth).
- Use the mashed chickpea mixture to make 3-4 flat personal-sized “pizza crusts” on a baking pan.
- Bake in the oven for 5-10 minutes, then take out and add sauce/toppings of choice.
- Put pan back in the oven and bake for about 10 more minutes.
Each of these recipes is designed to elevate your Super Bowl spread with wholesome ingredients while keeping the essence of the game day experience intact.
Now that you have the recipes, prepare yourself for the day ahead with these three tips:
- Establish a winning mindset. Embrace the idea that healthy food can be just as enjoyable and flavorful as traditional game day fare. By making smart ingredient choices and getting creative in the kitchen, you can create dishes that score big on taste and nutrition.
- Smart snacking. Rather than mindlessly munching on snacks throughout the game, prepare smaller portions of your favorite treats, choose nutrient-dense options, and be mindful of your overall intake. This way, you can savor the flavors without overindulging.
- Substitutions are easy. You can transform your favorite game day classics into healthier versions by making simple ingredient substitutions. Swap out refined grains for whole grains, use lean proteins, and incorporate plenty of colorful vegetables. These substitutions can enhance the nutritional profile of your dishes without sacrificing taste.
This Super Bowl, tackle the challenge of maintaining a healthy eating pattern without missing out on the festivities. With these flavorful and nutritious recipes, you can enjoy the game, cheer for your team, and savor every delicious bite guilt-free. Let’s make this Super Bowl a winning celebration for your taste buds and your well-being!
