8 healthy game day snacks

Soccer games aren’t just about cheering on your favorite team or shouting at the ref when they’ve made a terrible call. They’re also about socializing, celebrating and, of course, eating. 

But you don’t have to take a time-out from healthy foods while you’re watching the game. Whether you’re hosting guests for a big match or bringing a dish to someone else’s party, we’ve got eight delicious and healthy recipes perfect for game day snacking.

Don’t want the usual carbs that come along with a slice pizza? This recipe uses Portobello mushrooms instead of pizza dough. Plus, these mini “pizzas” only take five minutes to make. That means less time in the kitchen and more time watching the match and socializing with guests. Load up your Portobello mushroom pizza with fresh mozzarella, chopped veggies or a refreshing pesto for a nice twist.  

This recipe from Todd Wilbur of topsecretrecipes.com uses Greek yogurt in place of sour cream, which trims 200 calories and 8 grams of fat off the traditional dish. Now you can spend more time keeping track of the score instead of your calories. Another bonus of adding Greek yogurt to your dip? Yogurt is packed with protein, which can keep you fuller, longer.

Just the thought of cheesy, creamy potato skins probably makes your mouth water, but this popular finger food is jam-packed with fat and calories. Unless you have a pair of expandable pants, try cooking up this recipe, which has 400 calories and 32 grams of fat less than the average restaurant version. Want to make these even healthier? Consider using sweet potato skins instead for the extra fiber and potassium.

If you like Buffalo wings, you’ll love these easy and flavorful chicken strips. All you need are four large chicken breasts, salt, pepper, barbecue sauce, Tabasco, chili powder and cayenne pepper. Check out the full recipe here. Oh, and don’t forget to bring some extra napkins. These can get a little messy, but that’s a small price to pay for deliciousness.

You can forgo the boxed cookies and store-bought brownies during this year’s World Cup. Instead, cook up this light and luscious dessert recipe from Frances Largeman-Roth, RD. It’s made with lemon creme, pound cake and fresh fruit. A serving is less than 350 calories, plus it’s loaded with healthy nutrients like vitamin C, fiber and folate. Even if your team is losing, this recipe will be a win for you.

There’s nothing like chowing down on chips and creamy, rich guacamole while watching a soccer match (or anything for that matter), especially when the guac is as easy to whip up as it is to eat. This delectable dip comes straight from Elizabeth Somer, RD, coauthor of The Food & Mood Cookbook: Recipes for Eating Well and Feeling Your Best. For an even healthier version, try dipping veggies like carrots and bell peppers instead of corn chips.

Mac and cheese is one of America’s most popular comfort foods. Unfortunately, it's also high in calories and sodium. Instead of carb-loading and earning a red card for your healthy diet efforts, try Lisa Marie Rosati’s spin on the classic dish, which uses cauliflower instead of pasta. Believe it or not, 1 cup of cooked pasta has nearly three times the amount of carbohydrates as 1 cup of cauliflower. Even though this version of mac and cheese is low-carb, it’s still creamy and tasty.

Rather than buying a six pack of high-calorie beer or whipping up cocktails high in sugar, take a slightly healthier route with a non-alcoholic fruit based punch, iced water mixed with lemons and berries or one of these delicious mocktails.
 
However, if you do choose to drink, stick to the current daily guidelines for light or moderate drinking—no more than two drinks for men and no more than one for women. No level of drinking is completely risk-free, and the more you drink, the greater the potential harms.