Big Game Eats: Snack Ideas for Game Day

Planning your Big Game buffet? Here are some ideas:

Chips and dip

Chips and dip are a must. Everyone wants to crunch and dip at any party. Chips are not bad--many chips are made with just three ingredients (corn or potato, oil, and a little bit of salt). Chips don't have as much salt as you would think when you compare them to a lot of other common foods. And just in time for dipping season, FritoLay just announced that all Tostitos chips have at least 8 grams of whole grain per serving.

Guacamole

Game day is the biggest day for avocado consumption all year! Go to the Mexican Avocado website www.theamazingavocado.com for some great recipes. I love their Monster Dip (made with Greek yogurt, avocado, wasabi, ginger, etc). Avocados have good fats and great nutrient benefitswith 20 important vitamins and minerals.

Nuts

Americans eat 2.5 Billion (with a B) nuts on game day. Nuts also contain good fats as well as fiber and protein so they are a satisfying snack. I love pistachios because 30 pistachios are 100 calories and if you get them in the shell they take a longer time to eat. Almonds, pecans, walnuts, and peanuts are also on my list of most nutritious nuts.

Turkey Sausage

Johnsonville is known for their amazing brats, but they also have a lower fat option. They have smoked turkey sausage and a cheddar turkey sausage that only contain 6 grams of fat and taste great. I love the honey mustard turkey sausage skewer recipe for the big game buffet because it also gets some veggies into your guests!

Baked beans

You knew I would have beans somewhere on this list! Baked beans have an undeserved reputation for being high calorie, but beans are high in fiber and protein and will help fill you up without filling you out. Check out Bush's "grillin" baked beans or click on www.thevegetablewithmore.com for recipe ideas.

Check out this clip from my appearance on The Daily Buzz this morning!