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Lisa our resident fine living expert answers your questions each Friday. Starting next week, this feature will move to Thursdays.
If you are a blogger, this is a great chance to have us feature and link to your blog!
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What are some healthy ways to prepare food for a Superbowl party?
~ Keshema, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
First off, I want to congratulate you on seeking healthier alternatives for your Super Bowl party. Food habits are one of the most difficult to break. Luckily there are simple tips and tricks that anyone can use to minimize the calories without sacrificing flavor. Here are some tricks to cutting the fat and calories on some on big game favorites.
Chips and Dip
Chips and dips are a staple at most Super Bowl parties. For a healthier swap try baked pita chips and hummus instead. You can make the pita chips and hummus yourself or if you are low on time, pick up prepared hummus and bagged pita chips at the store. Just be sure to pay attention to portion sizes. Another quick swap is serving crunchy veggies like carrots and celery with a homemade Greek yogurt dip. Dips made with ingredients like cheese and sour cream are loaded with calories.
Pizza
Opt for the thin crust instead of traditional or a deep dish variety. Toppings like ham, roasted veggies and pineapple are better options than pepperoni, sausage and cheese. But anyway you slice it, we all love a good pizza.
Fried Chicken/Meatballs
You can minimize unwanted fat and calories by opting for grilled or roasted/rotisserie chicken instead. Roasted and rotisserie chicken is full of flavor and most grocery stores carry whole rotisserie chicken now. It’s quick and easy.
Things like appetizer meatballs can be made using very lean ground beef or you can skip the meat all together and try my recipe for:
The salmon balls are served with a spicy orange-pineapple dipping sauce that is sure to please. Using fresh ingredients, herbs and spices is another way to make your Super Bowl favorites healthier without sacrificing any flavor.
Finger Foods
Many finger foods are fried. If you come upon something that you like and it’s fried, just try baking it instead. Take mozzarella sticks for example, traditionally mozzarella sticks are fried in oil and served with a tomato based sauce that in many cases is hiding unwanted sugar.
These Crispy Mozzarella Sticks with homemade marinara are a great alternative.
So you see, there are lots of options to keep you on track. For me, I try to live by a 80/20 guide. Eighty percent of the time whole foods and healthier choices abound. But, that twenty percent always gives me the grace I need since I have a major crush on food.
Come back on Thursday for another edition of “Ask The Domestic Life Stylist”.
You can also tweet a question to Dlifestylist on Twitter or email me at ask{at}thedomesticlifestylist{dot}com. I will select one question to answer every Friday.
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Best dietician in Kirti Nagar says
I agree with you Lisa….I love to eat as I am a vegetarian so I have lots of option veggies chips, dips and many things. As we know that fired food isn’t good for health at all but still I love to eat and I make sure about the size and portion. Hummus is my favorite one and I love to make it for my family and friends.
Lisa-The Domestic Life Stylist says
Exactly Tanya. I love hummus and pita chips too. Those pita chips are so good. I’ll actually choose them over a regular potato chip any day.
Tanya says
I’m glad you mentioned to watch the portions sizes. Just because it is a healthier option doesn’t mean you can eat all you want. Great ideas as to what to serve. I love hummus and pita chips. That is my go to snack these days.