But don't worry!! I have put together some great tips to help keep you in the "healthy lifestyle game" and not sitting on the bench with guilt and stomach cramps all night!! I've also compiled some of my favorite healthy Super Bowl party foods so you can celebrate without the super-high calories, fat, and sodium. Don't forget to get up at halftime and dance to the music or get outside to throw the ball with your friends, neighbors, and loved ones. That way you can enjoy some great food and keep moving too.
The key to any appetizer is to go in moderation. It is not a meal and it is not a free pass to indulge because it is clean or healthy. There is such a thing as too much of a good thing!!! So while hummus and guacamole are good fats they can also be bad if you fill half your plate with them!
If you are attending a football party where you have no control over the menu here are a few suggestions:
1. Pre-Eat: Yup! Eat BEFORE you even leave your house! Don't rely on what is being provided and HOPE that it is clean! Most likely it won't be. Most parties wont even have a veggie tray or green salad to choose from! I always have either a shake or a light but filling meal before I go. Then, spend my time socializing and hanging out with people instead of mingling at the food buffet. I strategically place myself far from the buffet actually, because its SO easy to just be chatting and keep reaching down for anther chicken wing, egg roll or stuffed mushroom!
2. Choose small plates: Grab an appetizer plate and load up on veggies and fruit. Stay away from creamy dips and fried foods. The small plates will remind you to stay within your portion sizes. When you have bigger plates you tend to feel the need to fill it up! Also eat slowly from this small plate. Just because its less food than you would put on a bigger plate doesn't mean that its your opportunity to scarf it down and go back for seconds or thirds!
3. If there is something that you want to splurge on, evaluate the situation. Is this what you want to splurge on? What else will you forgo instead? Will you stay away from all other chips and cookies so you can have cake? Will you stay away from Alcohol for chips? Your choice, but you can't have a bangin body and eat your cake too! The power is in your hands, how bad do you want it?
5. Stay away from certain ingredients: Stay away from anything that is made with mayonnaise, cream cheese, sour cream or heavy cream and milk. Lots of unwanted calories and fat hidden in there! It doesn't make a difference if it's low fat cream cheese, light sour cream or mayo it's still not a good option. To clean up a recipe with those ingredients try Greek yogurt! Most people can't tell the difference between sour cream and Greek Yogurt!!
6. Get up and get moving!!: Durning the game it's pretty common to only get off your keyster to get more food or use the restroom. So take advantage of the break at Half-Time to get out and throw your own ball around the yard with the neighbors, take the kids to the local park or if you just absolutely CAN'T miss the coveted Half-Time show round up your guests and do this workout throughout the game and see who can stick it out till the end!
So, now that you are armed with some tips here are the recipes to go with it!
One of my favorite party appetizers are the Turkey, Pepper, Avocado Rolls
3 slices of low sodium, nitrate free turkey breast
1/8 medium avocado sliced
1/2 medium bell pepper sliced into 6 pieces
Top each slice of turkey with bell peppers and avocado, roll and enjoy!!
Sweet and Sour Meatballs
- 1 lb. lean ground turkey
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1 8oz can crushed pineapple in juice, drained
- 1/2 cup green onions
- 1 tbsp. light soy sauce
- 1 tsp. gingerSauce:
- 3/4 cup reduced-sodium, low fat chicken broth
- 1/3 cup chili sauce
- 3 tbsp. rice vinegar
- 2 tbsp. brown sugar
- 2 tsp. cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp ground ginger
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine meatball ingredients in medium bowl and mix thoroughly. Line a baking sheet with foil. Place cooking racks in foil lined baking sheet. Shape meatballs and place on the racks. Bake for about 25 minutes or until thoroughly cooked. Transfer the meatballs to a serving dish and cover to keep warm.
Combine the sauce ingredients in a small saucepan and stir until cornstarch is dissolved. Place sauce over medium heat and stir intermittently until mixture comes to a boil. Reduce heat to low, and stir for another minute or until mixture thickens slightly. Pour sauce over meatballs, and gently toss to coat meatballs and serve warm with toothpicks.
Veggie Shooters:Presentation is EVERYTHING!! I know that when I bring a veggie tray to a party its usually the only thing that goes untouched. But these VeggieShooters are sure to get some love for today's big game!!
6 – Dixie cups
3-4 whole carrots, cut into sticks
4-5 celery sticks cut into smaller sticks
18 cherry tomatoes
toothpicks
6 oz. plain Greek yogurt
Hidden Valley Dill Dip packet or dill seasoning
Instructions
Mix 1/2 of the Dill packet with Greek yogurt.
Place 1 oz. of dip into each of the Dixie cups.
Place 5-6 celery sticks & 4-5 carrots sticks each into each cup.
Put 3 grape tomatoes on a toothpick and place in the cup.
Voila! Healthy, Quick, Easy Appetizer
Clean Eating Tex-Mex Dip I am such a sucker for Mexican Food and this one sounds completely divine. I honestly am going to have to portion out the 1/4 cup serving otherwise I would eat it all at one sitting.
1 (12 ounce) jar of your favorite salsa, no sugar added
1 (15 ounce) can black olives, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can non-fat, re-fried beans, no sugar added
3 avocados
Juice of 1 lime
2 large Roma tomatoes, chopped
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. onion powder
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro, loosely packed
Directions:
Combine the beans and the salsa in a pot and warm while stirring constantly. Once they are warm and well combined, remove from heat and pour the beans into your serving dish.
Next, make your guacamole using the avocados, lime juice, garlic powder and onion powder. Add salt to taste. Layer the guacamole over the beans.
Top with olives and tomatoes next and finish with the fresh cilantro.
Serve with your favorite, clean corn chips or whole grain crackers.
Bruchetta
makes about 8-10 servings
Gently blend together in a medium mixing bowl:
6 good sized Roma tomatoes, diced
3/4 cup of sun dried tomatoes (packed in oil-preferably olive oil) finely chopped
2 T. extra virgin olive oil
4 t. minced garlic
1/2 cup of finely chopped fresh basil
2 T. balsamic vinegar
1/4 t. ground pepper
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
Preheat your oven to 400* and spread the mixture in an 8" x 8" baking dish and bake for about 10-15 minutes. Once the edges are bubbling and it smells amazing.
I like to serve my Bruschetta with a whole grain baguette that I slice down brush with Extra Virgin Olive Oil and bake until lightly browned. You can make your own chips that are healthier than the store bought version.
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 cup diced tomatoes (I used stewed tomatoes and added 2 cans)
8oz whole kernel corn, canned
1/2 onion diced
2 garlic cloves (I used minced)
8oz can of Black Beans
8oz can of Kidney Beans
1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
1 packet Lawry's Chili Seasoning (I used low sodium)
4 oz low fat shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
Brown the turkey and drain any fat. Place all ingredients except the cheese into the crock pot. Cook on low for 4 hours or high for 2 hours. Top with 1 oz cheese per serving if desired.
Most likely you'll still indulge in a few not so clean treats or have a cocktail or two, and thats fine! Life is all about BALANCE right?!!?! But come Monday if you think you'll be ready to get back on track I invite you to join my FREE 7 Day, Valentine's Day inspired Clean Eating Group!! Get a 7 day clean eating meal plan, shopping list, tips, motivation and support. And as a BONUS you'll get valentines day inspired recipes so that you and your special someone can enjoy Valentines Day at home (without the crowds) without missing out on all the yummy goodness!!
To join this group you MUST not already be a coach or working with a Team Beachbody Coach.
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