Fall is here, the kids are back in school, and the weather is cooling off….and since many members of our team are football fans, we decided to make things light and easy for this blog topic and provide some not-so-unhealthy food choices for the football season….so you can potentially avoid having to think about getting one of our more recent offerings in our Heart Scan.
That means one thing: the NFL football season has begun; and with it, the big hits, the end zone dances, the endless tailgating… and of course, the food! A huge part of watching football is gathering with your friends and family to argue over players and teams, and eat – usually enormous amounts – of unhealthy food. However, you don’t want to end up looking like an NFL linebacker at the end of the season. There are plenty of ways to keep your summer body going well into the fall by enjoying some lighter versions of the same tasty delicacies you traditionally enjoy while watching football games. We at ZendyHealth are just as big of fans of the NFL as you are, and we have your back when it comes to choosing nutritious options for your game-time decision. Check out our healthy football recipes, and don’t worry, we’re not including things that will get you laughed out of the stadium (we’re looking at you, quinoa burgers). We’ve taste-tested each one of these items (some repeatedly) not only for your guaranteed enjoyment, but also to make certain your waistline doesn’t receive any 10-yard/10-lb. penalties.
Pregame Warmup
Baked Sweet Potato ‘Fries’
Baking these sweet potatoes in the oven not only negates all the fat you’d usually get from deep-fried tubers, but still retains the crunch and flavor you love so much. Sweet potatoes are also packed with nutrients like beta-carotene, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.
Ingredients
Directions
1.Preheat oven to 375 degrees F
Nutrition Information
Calories 270, Fat 10g, Cholesterol -, Sodium 260mg, Saturated Fat 1.5g, Protein 4g, Fiber 6g, Carbohydrates 42g
Turkey Meatballs
Aside from being MUCH lower in fat than traditional beef meatballs, lean turkey contains tons of protein and other necessary nutrients. Again, baking them lowers the fat content you’d normally find in pan-fried meatballs.
Ingredients
Directions
Nutrition Information
Calories: 142; Total Fat: 6g; Saturated Fat: 2g; Monounsaturated Fat: 0g; Cholesterol: 92mg; Sodium: 298mg; Total Carbohydrate: 4g; Dietary Fiber: 0g; Sugars: 1g; Protein: 16g
Pita Chips with Red Pepper Dip
You’ll find NO dairy in this delicious, flavorful dip, meaning it’s perfect for anyone with a lactose allergy and those looking to cut cholesterol.
Ingredients
Directions
Nutrition Information
Calories 74, Fat 0g, Cholesterol -, Sodium 208mg, Saturated Fat 0g, Protein 3g, Fiber 1g, Carbohydrates 15g
Kickoff
Lemon-Drop Chicken Wings
You may remember the lemon-drop from your college days as the shot of choice for many a sorority sister. We’re utilizing a similar technique for these delicious wings by using vodka! No shot glass required…
Ingredients
1/2 cup vodka
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 pounds chicken wings, tips trimmed off
Directions
Nutrition Information
Calories 173, Protein 14g, Fat 11g, Saturated Fat 3g, Carbohydrate 2.7g, Sodium 189mg, Cholesterol 45mg
Zucchini Fries
Another baked take on fatty fries, these zucchini fries offer a crunch and some intense flavor, not to mention packing some serious protein, Vitamin A, and Niacin.
Ingredients
Directions
Nutrition Information
Calories 172, Fat 8.58g, Carbohydrates 11.82g, Protein 13.91g
Spicy Blue Cheese Dip
And what would wings and zucchini fries be without blue cheese dip? The traditional version is loaded with fat and calories, but we’ve used sour cream instead of cream cheese to increase the flavor while staying low on the bad stuff.
Ingredients
Directions
Whisk sour cream, blue cheese, vinegar and cayenne in a small bowl.
Nutrition Information
Calories 67, Fat 6g, Cholesterol 16mg, Sodium 165mg, Saturated Fat 4g, Protein3g, Fiber 0g, Carbohydrates 1g
Halftime
California Flatbread Pizza
What’s better than pizza? Pizza packed with protein from chicken, Omega 3’s from avocado and flavor in everything! Enjoy a slice, knowing you won’t have to run it off for 2 hours at the gym after the game.
Ingredients
Directions
Nutrition Information
Calories: 310, Fat: 12.5g, Sodium: 801mg, Carbs: 28g, Fiber: 8.5g, Sugars: 3.5g, Protein: 29g
Chili and Beer-Braised Brisket
This traditional go-to doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Dress up your beef with dried green chilies for extra bite, and add tomatoes for Vitamin C and onions for healthy Folates.
Ingredients
6 medium pepper, green chile, dried, such as New Mexico, Anaheim, or ancho chiles, stemmed and seeded
14 ounces tomatoes, fire-roasted, diced
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
4 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
1 1/3 tablespoon chili powder
2 teaspoon cumin, ground
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup beer, Mexican lager (such as Dos Equis or Corona)
1 tablespoon oil, canola
2 pounds beef, brisket, first-cut, trimmed flat
15 ounces beans, pinto, rinsed
Directions
Nutrition Information
Calories 285, Fat 9g, Cholesterol 54mg, Sodium 492mg, Saturated Fat 2g, Protein 31g, Fiber 6g, Carbohydrates 18g
So enjoy a long, healthy, and fun NFL season. May your team be victorious and your snacks low-fat. These delicious and healthy recipes should win you a lot of fans, and not add any unsightly yardage to your waistline. Remember to keep up with ZendyHealth for year-round health advice, as well as the latest in healthcare technology and alternative healthcare education. You can check us out on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for the latest news and updates.