Healthy game day snacking tips

Sports are back and while they make look different from years past but taking in a college or professional game on a weekend afternoon is a taste of normalcy many of us are craving right now.

But don’t let your hunger for a great game sabotage any of the progress you’ve made toward your weight loss goals.

“While it’s tempting to reach for the traditional game day snack foods, you may want to take this opportunity to try out some healthful snack alternatives, especially if you’re trying to maintain control of your weight during the pandemic,” said Monique Dorsey, a registered dietician with UT Physicians. “In addition, there are a few other things you can implement into your game day rituals to regulate your snacking and consumption of calorie-dense foods.”

Strategies for smart snacking

Dorsey recommends the following to come out a winner when it comes to game time snacking:

1. Set a practical limit for how many sweetened or alcoholic beverages you’ll have during the game. Once you’ve reached that limit, make an effort to hydrate, and drink water for the rest of the evening.
2. Keep foods at a distant table or location from where you’re sitting to avoid mindless eating throughout the game. Instead, grab a few items for your plate and take it back with you to your seat.

3. Get moving during commercial breaks. Use this time to take a quick lap around the living room or a brisk walk-in-place until the game comes back on. Although it may not seem like much, that brief activity is much better than none at all

And if you’re looking for some healthier alternatives to traditional snack foods, Dorsey provides the following recipes, which are not only high in nutritional value, but delicious as well:

Healthy snacking options 

Creamy Vegetable Dip

Ingredients

2 cups Greek yogurt (fat-free or 2%)

1/2 green bell pepper

1/2 red bell pepper

1/2 yellow bell pepper

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp dried parsley

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1.) In a medium-sized bowl, stir the onion powder, garlic powder, black pepper, salt, and parsley into the Greek yogurt.

2.) Finely dice the bell pepper halves and add them into the Greek yogurt mixture, stirring to mix well.

3.) Cover the bowl and let it sit the fridge for 1-2 hours before serving.

Note: This can be served with carrots, pretzels, pita bread, chips, etc.

Turkey Avocado Roll-Ups

Ingredients

3 whole grain tortillas

3 slices of cold cut turkey

3 slices of cheese (halved)

1/2 avocado (mashed)

1/2 cup fresh spinach

1 medium tomato, sliced

 Directions

1. Spread about 2 tablespoons of avocado over tortillas.
2. Top each tortilla with 1 slice turkey, 2 cheese halves,

and a flat layer of spinach and tomatoes.

3. Roll up each tortilla tightly. Cut each roll into 8 pieces; secure each

piece with toothpick.

4. Serve immediately or cover tightly and refrigerate until serving time.

Note: Avocado can also be diced and added atop tomatoes.

Summer Vegetable Pizza

Ingredients

• 2 cans crescent rolls (reduced fat)
• 1/2 cup fresh small broccoli florets
• 1/2 cup shredded carrots
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes

Cream Topping

• 1 (8 oz) pkg. reduced fat cream cheese
• 1/2 cup 2% Greek yogurt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp dried dill weed (optional)

Preparation

1. Preheat heat oven to 375 F.
2. 2. Open crescent dough and spread it out in a medium-sized baking pan. Press and shape dough up the sides of the pan to create a crust. Bake for 15 minutes or until crust is golden brown. Set crust aside to cool (~20 minutes).
3. In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, Greek yogurt, garlic powder, and dill weed to make cream topping. Spread over crescent crust and top with broccoli, carrots, and tomatoes.
4. Slice and serve immediately, or refrigerate for 1-2 hours before serving.

Note: A variety of vegetables can be used to top the pizza.

*Recipes inspired by Monique Dorsey.