One of the few religious sports days of the year is almost upon us: Super Bowl Sunday.
The annual event is usually the same every year: funny TV commercials that go viral, borderline-insane team pride, and calorie-packed snacks that can rattle your diet’s cage.
A 2014 study published in PLOS ONE actually studied the Super Bowl-calorie phenomenon, and the research backed the theory: tracking grocery habits of 207 households across 37 weeks, the researchers from Cornell University found total calories-per-serving purchased during Super Bowl week jumped to over 6,000 – that’s more than a week of Thanksgiving.
So to keep yourself from looking like the next offensive lineman of the New England Patriots, check out these healthy twists on traditional Super Bowl party foods.
Cauliflower Buffalo Wings
A Super Bowl staple, we can’t ask you to resist your wing cravings.
But rather than the deep-fried kind, opt for cauliflower buffalo ‘wings’ this year. This lean version replaces the meat – no, that’s not a typo – with roasted cauliflower, with a yogurt-avocado sauce to replace the usual blue cheese dip.
Related: The Best Way to Burn Calories – By Watching Football
It’s the best way to enjoy buffalo-flavoured awesomeness without the calories or saturated fat. Touchdown!
Oven-Roasted Sweet Potato Chips
We bet you can’t have just one, and that’s okay. Because these baked veggie chips are a solid source of vitamins A & C, without skimping on the flavour. The chips pack a pop with the added chili powder and ground cumin.
Best of all, they’re a cinch to make – toss ‘em in the oven, and they’re ready for kick-off in 20 minutes.
Chicken Wonton Tacos
Any time’s an appropriate time for tacos. And these ones not only look might impressive, but they’re mighty healthy at just 191 calories.
Related: Ranking the Best Calorie-Cutting Sports
Utilizing pre-made ingredients like coleslaw mix and wonton wrappers, this is one snack that’s wide receiver-fast to prepare – AKA, more time to argue over the game.
Cinnamon Sweet Potato Chips
Hey now, of course we aren’t going to forget dessert. Making yet another substitution for chips, this sweeter alternative uses just five ingredients that’re likely in your pantry, only taking 30 minutes to prepare before the big game!
Photo credit: Mitch Boeck/Shutterstock
