Written by: Nicole Pazdziorko, RDN, LD, Food City Dietitian

The Big Game is coming up and if you’re one of the millions of people who will be tuning in to watch, eating opportunities will abound. One of the biggest food consumption days of the entire year, some reports suggest that Americans eat more during the big game than any day of the year besides Thanksgiving! 

Fan favorite recipes often include higher fat, sodium, and sugar. While one day is not going to make or break your fitness goals, your game plan for serving up a delicious spread can still be flavorful while taking a lighter approach. Balance out your game day snacks with these nutrient dense picks. 

Make Your Starting Line Up Vegetables

You can never go wrong when starting with produce. Pre-gaming with vegetables means filling up on fewer calories, fiber, water, and micronutrients before indulging in more traditional game day fare. To elevate your veggie game try featuring them as the star of a gameday favorite like nachos. Try these  Full Circle Market Air Fryer Sweet Potato Nachos -  simply air fry or oven roast Food City ShortCut pre sliced sweet potatoes until crispy and then load up with toppings like corn, diced tomatoes, guacamole, and beans. To simplify preparation, pick up a Food City fruit or vegetable tray to bring to your viewing party.

Pump Up Your Game Day Dips

Another simple way to feature fresh produce is by serving them up with a flavorful dip.  Traditional game day dips tend to be high in fat, calories, and sodium. Instead, opt for ingredients that pack in fiber, healthy fats, and protein. Sour cream and mayonnaise can be swapped completely or cut in half and replaced with Greek yogurt or cottage cheese. Simply combine a cup of plain yogurt with a teaspoon of mustard and your favorite seasoning to serve up a delectable dip with more protein and less saturated fat. Try serving up a trio for party guests to try featuring:

- A bean-based dip – look for Full Circle Market Hummus in Original, Garlic or Roasted Red Pepper flavors.

- A guacamole – make yours from scratch with fresh avocados, lime and cilantro or keep things simple by picking up a prepared tub.

- A protein packed creamy dip – make your own ranch by combining Food Club low-fat cottage cheese or Food Club Greek Yogurt and Food Club Ranch Dip Mix and blending until smooth.

Find Fiber-Filled Crunch

When you’re craving some crunch reach for fiber-filled crackers or chips. Chips made with beans like Sun Chips in Spicy Jalapeno flavor feature three grams of fiber per serving, from black beans and whole grains. 

For something with a little less kick, reach for crackers made with whole grains, nuts, or seeds. Crav’n Flavor Cracked Black Pepper and Olive Oil Woven Wheats pack twenty-three grams of whole grains per serving and are a low sodium choice. Pair with low-fat cheese slices or dunk in your favorite dip.  

You don’t have to forgo all your favorite traditional game day fare to prioritize your wellness goals. Food City can help make your tailgate balanced and delicious – a guaranteed win.