Healthy Recipes for Football Season

It’s just about fall, so it’s the perfect time for some healthier recipes for football season. This is a time of year full of tradition and one of the greatest sports around. Along with that come tailgating and football parties. Everyone loves the tailgating foods and watching the game, but it’s astounding just how much fat can be found in some of your favorite foods. To try to combat that, it can be quite helpful to find healthier alternatives for your favorite recipes. By doing so, you can enjoy the festivities without a total diet bust!

Let’s look at some healthy recipes for football season that work as excellent alternatives to the perennial favorites. Take chili, for example, as that’s practically a staple at this time of year. You can still enjoy chili, but try substituting ground turkey for ground beef. Make your own tomato base using tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, chili powder, and garlic. Add in plenty of different types of beans, corn, and peppers, and voila—you have a healthy and delicious chili recipe that gives you everything you need and nothing that you don’t. You can’t beat that, and nobody will even know that it’s healthier!

Simple Swaps Can Really Add Up

Take some other favorite recipes for football season and think of how to make them healthier. Take a chip dip for example—simply substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream. Then add in chopped dill and some garlic; it’s just as delicious. Serve with veggies for a healthier twist, and it will still give you that satisfying crunch. What about the hot dips, though? Sure, they are always a favorite, but they can be so fattening! Try swapping out low fat cream cheese, lessening the amount of cheese used, and focusing on a vegetable or lean ground turkey as the foundation. This simple swap will help you to enjoy the flavors without all of the fat!

Try to dream up your favorite recipes for football season as a great idea starter. Take a hearty Italian bread and drizzle with olive oil, parmesan cheese, diced tomatoes, and a little mozzarella for a delicious bruschetta. Take cocktail breads and top with olives, peppers, and just a sprinkle of cheese. Pop this in the oven for a low-fat and delicious hot appetizer.

Where there’s a will there’s a way, and you can still enjoy all of the fanfare and fun of football season without all of the fat. Aim for what tastes good but isn’t going to sabotage your diet. If you can keep this in mind, you can be a healthy, happy football fan!