Football Party Hearty!

We're not football fans in our family, but I know many of you will be parked in front of the TV on Sunday watching the big game...or the big commercials. I got this message in my inbox and thought it was filled with some great ideas (not to mention another kick ass chili recipe!) to add to your collection. Enjoy!

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Football Party Hearty!
by Susan Burke March, MS, RD/LD, CDE

If you’re an armchair quarterback, sitting around drinking brews and sodas and chowing down on fatty wings, chips and dips won’t help you make the cut. Score a nutritional touchdown and serve some healthy snacks while rooting your team on to victory.

Here are some quick tips for healthy football-friendly fare and a chili recipe that’s a sure winner:
Always choose baked chips instead of fried. Tortilla chips and potato chips come in different baked flavors and saves up to 30% of the calories of fried chips.

Serve bean dip instead of regular sour cream dip. Only 46 calories per three tablespoons compared to more than double for full-fat sour cream.

Nuts are nutritious, but they add up quickly. Serve a giant bowl of air-popped popcorn sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray and sprinkled with dehydrated butter granules…I like Butter Buds or Molly McButter. Delicious with only 60 calories for three cups, only a trace of fat and about 10 grams of sodium. Save 280 calories, 28 grams of fat and 330 milligrams of sodium over the regular microwave popcorn.

Replace fried mozzarella sticks with chicken skewers. They’re really popular and always great party food. You can buy them already prepared (especially at warehouse grocers), and save 188 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 546 milligrams of sodium over the same sized portion of fried cheese.

Serve a healthy submarine sandwich. Whole-wheat hero rolls give you that extra added fiber and nutrition (not to mention taste!) compared to white bread. Layer on turkey breast, lean roast beef or lean ham, shredded lettuce and tomato slices; slice into 2 inch portions and serve with sliced onions and pickles.
Keep the calories low by using low fat mayonnaise, and naturally low-calorie ketchup and mustard. Fat-free dressings should be offered…the new varieties are so good, you won’t miss the fat.

Imbibe with caution, because those brews add up! One regular beer ranges between 150-200 calories; instead serve light beer…only about 100 calories per bottle. A 5-ounce glass of wine has about 100 calories, as does one ounce of alcoholic spirits such as vodka, gin or scotch. Serve a variety of diet sodas, flavored club sodas and keep a big cooler with individual bottles of spring water.
Any dried dip mix will do, but instead of regular sour cream, add ½ cup of nonfat sour cream, ½ cup of nonfat mayonnaise, and ¾ cup of diced fresh tomatoes, ¼ cup of chopped green onion, and ¼ cup of chopped ripe olives, rinsed and drained. Mix and refrigerate for ½ hour before serving.

Crudités: everyone like crunchy veggies, especially with a tasty dip. Buy pre-washed and cut-up veggies and you’re ready to go…zero prep time. At half time, get up and do 100 jumping jacks!

Susan’s Weight-Wise Chili Recipe
Homemade Chili with fresh vegetables herbs and spices

1 lb of 97% lean ground beef or turkey or firm tofu, drained
1 onion diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 green pepper, seeded and diced
1 tsp olive oil
1 ~28 ounce can tomato puree (no salt added)
1 ~15 ounce can each kidney beans, white beans, and pinto beans-rinsed and drained
3 small-medium baking potatoes, scrubbed and cubed
2 Tbsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cumin
2 cups water

Directions:

In a large, nonstick saucepan over low-medium high heat, heat olive oil. Add garlic and cook until just softened.

Add the onion and pepper and cook 2 more minutes; then add the ground meat or crumble in the tofu: cook about 5 minutes.

Drain off fat if using meat; add pureed tomatoes, canned beans, potatoes, seasonings, and water.

Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for approximately 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

For thinner chili, add a cup of broth, wine or water.

Serve with a tossed salad.

Registered and licensed dietitian Susan Burke March, MS, CDE, is the author of Making Weight Control Second Nature: Living Thin Naturally,” which offers a wealth of practical information, tips and strategies for people who are serious about taking control of their health, fad-free, for life.