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How to Make Your Super Bowl Snackfest Fun and Healthy
Easy tweaks to traditional football fare amp up nutrition but keep taste
500/Getty Images Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. Go for baked chicken wings
The challenge: Traditional Buffalo wings are deep-fried, then tossed “with a ton of butter and some sodium-laden hot sauce,” Samuels says. “Not exactly the healthiest option for your heart, waistline or digestive system." The fix: Swap deep-fried for baked, Samuels says. “Marinate your wings overnight in olive oil and your favorite herbs and spices. To get them crispy like the fried version, bake them on high heat." Swap the chips
The challenge: “Chips are incredibly easy to overeat because most of them have absolutely no protein and fiber,” Samuels says. To make matters worse, she says, a large handful of chips contains more than 150 calories. “Multiply that times 10 and you have got a day's worth of calories in an appetizer.” The fix: “There are a ton of healthy chip alternatives out there,” Samuel says, recommending bean-based chips like those from Beanitos or Beanfields. You can also make your own healthy chip from vegetables, she adds: Kale chips and crispy roasted are great options. Or consider ditching chips for popcorn — a great alternative, Samuels says, because that snack is lower in fat and calories than chips, and higher in fiber and protein. Her favorite brands include Skinny Pop, Lesser Evil and Bjorn Qorn. Entertainment $3 off popcorn and soft drink combos See more Entertainment offers > The fix: “We love swapping out sour cream dips with to increase protein, decrease fat and get a boost of probiotics,” Samuels says. Just add your favorite seasoning mix to a cup of plain Greek yogurt for a slimmed-down version. Other tasty and healthy options are hummus-based dips, Samuels says: Add seasoning and tuck-ins like roasted red pepper to a hummus base, and it's a party. Finally, she recommends using sliced vegetables (carrots, celery, bell peppers, cucumbers) for dipping, as well as healthier chips. Getty Images Consider nontraditional Super Bowl spread ideas
No one says you've got to do wings, chips and dip. Consider serving lettuce wraps with tuna or chicken salad made with plain Greek yogurt instead of mayonnaise, Samuels says. Deviled eggs povide a , or try high-fiber crackers with seasoned goat cheese. “These are quick, easy and healthy finger foods,” she says. Expert tips for portion control
It's a long game, which can turn Sunday into a multi-hour meal. Samuels offers three suggestions for keeping a handle on portion control (useful on any day, in fact). Put your snacks on a plate instead of eating from the bag, bowl or platter. “We eat less when our container is smaller,” she says. Make a plate and stick to it. You can refill at the .Put your hand or utensil down between bites. You'd be surprised at how much this can slow down your consumption and up your mindfulness about how much you're consuming.Give yourself at least 20 minutes to finish a plate of food: “This is the estimated amount of time it takes for your digestive system to communicate to your brain that you're satiated,” she says. More on home-family AARP NEWSLETTERS %{ newsLetterPromoText }% %{ description }% Subscribe AARP VALUE & MEMBER BENEFITS See more Health & Wellness offers > See more Flights & Vacation Packages offers > See more Finances offers > See more Health & Wellness offers > SAVE MONEY WITH THESE LIMITED-TIME OFFERS