Hosting a party for the Big Game? It’s not just about the game – it’s also about the friends, fun, and food! My favorite foods for your football party are easy to make, delicious, and nutritious of course. Follow these helpful hints to satisfy the football fans at your game gathering without fumbling your diet.

• Keep your “team” satisfied with hearty and nutritious snacks such as nuts (almonds, peanuts, pistachios & walnuts), cheese, dried fruits (apricots, cranberries, raisins), raw veggies with light ranch dressing and popcorn!
• Dips don’t have to be loaded with unhealthy fats, choose hummus, guacamole, salsa and bean dip – pair with raw veggies, whole grain crackers and baked corn chips.
• Heat it up at half time! Before half time starts, preheat your oven to make warm and hearty snacks. Melt cheese over crackers, veggies, or hot sandwiches. Reduced fat cheeses can have as much as 33 percent less fat than regular cheese!
• Ditch the boring hamburgers and hotdogs – prepare lean turkey burgers, chicken or beef kabobs, black bean burgers or lean steak sandwiches – easy to prepare, delicious options that are high in protein.
• Chili is a staple on game day – Prepare chili using the leanest beef or turkey possible. In addition, use less meat and more beans to create a higher fiber and lower fat meal.
• Have a small snack before the party starts such as yogurt, a few nuts or fruit. This will ensure you don’t start the Big Game festivities with a ravenous appetite and end up overeating.

Sweet Pepper Nachos

Love nachos but looking for a lower calorie version? Here you go, try these adorable mini sweet pepper nachos! This game day snack will score big at your football party.

Makes: 6 Servings

Ingredients:

• 1 pound shredded rotisserie chicken
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons spicy mustard
• 24 mini sweet peppers cut in half and seeded OR 4 bell peppers, each cut into 6-chip-size pieces
• 1/2 tablespoon canola oil
• 1/2 cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
• 2 scallions thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add chicken, balsamic vinegar, and mustard. Toss to heat through, about 3 to 4 minutes.
3. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray. Spread peppers on cookie sheet in a single layer and fill with shredded chicken mixture.
4. Top each pepper with a sprinkle of cheese. Bake until melted; top with scallions. Serve immediately.

Tip: Other delicious fillings include: guacamole, sautéed onions and peppers, black beans, diced tomato and corn! Be creative!!