You can’t watch the big game without a table full of snacks — but sometimes, the typical game day appetizers aren’t exactly the healthiest.
Take the classic offerings, for example. During just one game, your calorie consumption could reach over 1,900 if you eat the following:
- 10 potato chips – 536 calories
- Three slices of pizza – 855 calories
- Three chicken wings – 540 calories
Aside from weight gain, high-fat or greasy foods may affect your body in these three ways:
1. Bloating and gas
Fat digests the slowest – and greasy foods have a lot of it. If you don’t have enough digestive enzymes or stomach bile and acid, your body may have a hard time breaking it down. This may lead to bloating and gas, as the fatty food will just sit in your stomach longer, giving it more time to ferment.
2. Increased risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes
Frequently eating fried foods is linked to an increased risk of health problems, like type 2 diabetes and heart disease. It may even lead to an early death if you eat it every day.
3. May cause acne
Foods that cause your blood sugar to spike, like fries or other greasy options, may cause acne. When your blood sugar rises quickly, it may cause inflammation and the production of excess sebum (oil in your skin), both of which may lead to acne.
Still, there are plenty of ways to enjoy snacking at your next big game gathering, without the guilt — or the unpleasant side effects. Try these healthier alternatives:
Fresh baked tortilla chips
Ingredients:
(makes about 36 chips)
- 3 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 9, 6-inch corn tortillas
Instructions:
1. Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.
2. Stack tortillas and cut into quarter triangles.
3. Toss tortilla triangles in oil and salt.
4. Place tortilla triangles on baking sheet so there is no overlap.
5. Bake for about seven minutes, or until crisp.
Greek Yogurt Onion Dip
Ingredients:
- 4 cups onions, sliced thin
- ¾ cup shallots, peeled and sliced
- 4 thyme sprigs
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon dry white wine
- 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 2 cups low fat sour cream
- ¼ cup chives, minced
- ¼ cup traditional Greek yogurt
- 2 teaspoons onion powder
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
- Mix sliced onions, shallots, thyme sprigs and oil together. Place on a large roasting pan and season with salt and pepper.
- Roast onion mixture for 25-30 minutes, stirring and scraping down sides of pan every 10 minutes, until mixture starts to break down and turn golden brown.
- Discard thyme sprigs.
- Add wine and vinegar. Stir to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Return onion mixture to oven.
- Continue roasting, stirring occasionally, until deep golden brown and completely caramelized – about 15 minutes.
- Spread onion mixture out on a rimmed baking sheet to cool.
- Transfer onion mixture to a cutting board and mince or pulse in a food processor.
- Combine Greek yogurt, sour cream, onion, chives and onion powder in a medium bowl.
- Serve with fresh tortilla chips.
Veggie Baked Nachos
Nacho Ingredients:
- Fresh baked tortilla chips
- ¼ cup spicy black beans
- ¼ cup shredded queso fresco
- ¼ cup pico de gallo
- ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro
Instructions:
- Place homemade tortilla chips onto a baking sheet.
- Top with spicy black beans, shredded queso fresco, pico de gallo and cilantro.
- Enjoy!