Super Bowl 2011: Healthy Snack Ideas

Super Bowl Sunday could easily be renamed Super Snack Sunday. Most people don’t sit down to a meal while they’re watching the game—they are much more likely to fill up on snacks like pizza, wings, and chips and dips. You might start a riot if you tried to get a bunch of hungry fans to switch to salad instead, but there are lots of ways to keep the second-largest eating holiday of the year from becoming a nutritional disaster.

Let’s start with the chips and dips. Chips are a staple at Super Bowl parties, so don’t ditch them. Instead, try to choose the healthiest ones out there. Look for snacks that are made with three simple ingredients. Tostitos, for example, are made with only corn, corn oil, and salt. Major brands like Frito-Lay are reformulating their recipes, using only all-natural ingredients. These products do not contain any artificial or synthetic ingredients, artificial flavors or artificial preservatives, or ingredients such as monosodium glutamate (MSG).  Chips are a great vehicle to get other nutrients while snacking during the game—try pairing them with the guacamole, for example.

Guacamole

Guacamole is a Super Bowl must, and is great dip choice since avocados are a good nutrient choice high in fiber and protein. One ounce (or about three slices) of avocado has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals and the “good” fats.

An easy place online to get lots of avocado recipes is www.theamazingavocado.com.

If you have an iPhone, you can download the “Avocados from Mexico Amazing Recipes” app, which provides tips for buying avocados and can create recipe shopping lists for avocado-based recipes, all right at your fingertips when you’re in the supermarket.

Beer

And, of course, another Super Bowl staple is beer. Did you know that Americans will buy almost 50 million cases of beer in the two weeks leading up to the game?  One dangerous thing about alcohol is that it can be dehydrating. Just count how many trips you’re making to the bathroom. A great way to stay hydrated and keep you alcohol consumption in line is to drink a full glass of water between each beer. It’s also a great way not to wake up with a hangover the morning after the big game.

Root for the Green Bay Packers and enjoy the game!

Game Day Recipes:

Corn Relish with Avocados

from www.theamazingavocado.com

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:

• 2 ears grilled corn, kernels removed from cob
• ½ cup chopped tomatoes
• ½ Hass Avocado from Mexico, chopped or ½ cup guacamole
• Greens from 1 scallion, chopped
• Juice from 1 lime
• Kosher salt

Instructions:

• In a medium bowl, combine corn, tomatoes, avocado, scallion, and lime juice. 
• Season to taste and try as a unique topping for grillied hot dogs or sausages.

Black Bean, Avocado, and Corn Salsa

(from www.theamazingavocado.com)       

Serves 4-8

Ingredients:

• ¼ Cup vinaigrette salad dressing
• ¼ cup sliced scallions
• 2 T. Chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 t. grated lime peel
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup corn kernels
• ½ cup diced red pepper
• 1 fully ripened Avocado from Mexico, halved, pitted, peeled, and diced.

Instructions:

• In a large bowl, whisk together salad dressing, scallions, cilantro, and lime peel. 
• Stir in beans, corn, and red pepper. 
• Add avocado; toss gently. 
• Season with salt, if desired.  Yields about 4 cups.