7 Easy Football Snacks That Won’t Sideline Your Goals
Article posted in: Food & Nutrition
Grab your jersey and get comfortable — it’s time to cheer on your favorite football team! We’re sharing our top picks for healthy football snacks that are as delicious as they are nutritious. Stop feeling bogged down after the big game and give these healthy game day snacks a try — they’re perfect for sharing with your crew!
If you’re following the Jenny Craig program, we have great news: These easy game day appetizers are filled with plenty of Vegetables and Flavor Unlimited ingredients. Check with your coach before making any swaps or changes to your plan to stay on track!
4 Tips to Stay on Track
While hefty portions of classic comfort foods typically take center stage during the big game, there are ways to enjoy the day — from the first kickoff to the last touchdown — without spending commercial break counting calories or sidelining your weight loss progress.
We’ve devised this clever game day strategy to help you stay on track:
1. Eat like you would on any other day.
Be sure to eat a balanced breakfast so you’re less likely to overdo it with unhealthy options. An exciting play can make it all too easy to get distracted while eating, so keep an eye on your portions with this handy guide!
2. Try to treat your game time like mealtime.
Sitting down to a game could mean you’ll be surrounded by food for three to four hours, so try building your plate like you would at a regular meal. Start with plenty of veggies, then add smaller amounts of apps and snacks that include lean protein, whole grains and healthy fat.
3. Avoid overeating by being mindful about how you feel.
Filling up? No need to keep eating all throughout the game. Still hungry? Give yourself some time to digest: It can take at least 20 minutes to feel full. (If you do overindulge, don’t be too hard on yourself — it happens! Give yourself some grace and just get right back on your plan.)
4. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
Try refilling your glass during commercial breaks and halftime, so you won’t miss a minute of the action.
7 Easy, Healthy Football Snacks
When you’re digging into dishes of delicious football-ready foods, excess calories from added sugar and saturated fat can add up quickly. So, how many calories are in your favorite game day appetizers, and what nutritious swaps can you make instead? Check out our top seven healthy game day appetizers let the games begin!
The MVP: Chips & Pico de Gallo
1 serving whole grain tortilla chips = 150 calories
1 cup pico de gallo = 40 calories
Total calories: 190
Hit the Bench: Nachos with Meat, Cheese & Sour Cream
1 cup = 285 calories
A towering pile of nachos stacked high with ground beef, sour cream, and drenched in melted cheese is a game day appetizer with all the right stuff. It’s crunchy, savory and meaty — but there’s a healthier way to enjoy this snack.
First, grab a serving of whole grain tortilla chips. Rather than dousing your chips with nacho cheese sauce, go for ¼ cup of low-fat shredded cheese. Top generously with this easy pico de gallo or sweet and spicy mango salsa and enjoy!
Or, dig into these fully loaded chicken nachos that definitely don’t skimp on flavor.
The MVP: Homemade Hummus or Guacamole
2 tablespoons hummus = 50 calories
OR
2 tablespoons guacamole = 50 caloriesTotal calories: 50
Hit the Bench: Nacho Cheese Sauce
¼ cup = 90 calories
At almost 90 calories per ¼ cup, nacho cheese is basically liquid gold, if you counted calories like currency. Extra fat and calories can come from added oils, which help keep the sauce smooth and dippable. We recommend whipping up a batch of hummus or guac, which are good sources of healthy fat and protein.
Trade hot or cold dips filled with butter, sour cream and mayo for lighter, healthier alternatives. Toss chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, salt and pepper into a food processor for a quick and easy hummus. For a delicious guacamole, mash ripe avocado with lime juice, chopped tomatoes, onion, cilantro, salt and pepper.
For extra flavor, you can add some roasted peppers, or even spinach and artichoke to your hummus. Aim to enjoy a tablespoon or two of either dip, and try not to fill up on dips so you can enjoy other food!
The MVP: Infused Sparkling Water or Iced Tea
12-ounce unsweetened sparkling water = 0 calories
12-ounce unsweetened iced tea = 4 calories
Total calories: 4
Hit the Bench: Beer, Wine & Soda
12-ounce beer = 210 calories
6-ounce glass of wine = 150 calories
12-ounce soda = 150 calories
Total calories: 510
The calories in alcoholic beverages can add up quickly! It’s one of the reasons why alcohol can hinder your weight loss goals. Swap your brews for delicious nonalcoholic beverages to skip empty calories. Infuse sparkling water with fresh fruit or make double batches of these refreshing iced teas to serve a crowd.
The MVP: A Slice of Margherita or Pepperoni Pizza
Jenny Craig Margherita Pizza = 220 calories
OR
Jenny Craig Pepperoni Pizza = 240 calories
Hit the Bench: Stuffed Crust Pizza
1 piece of a large stuffed crust pizza with meat = 460 calories
What’s game day without some pizza? Rather than reaching for a giant stuffed crust slice covered in sausage and pepperoni, a Jenny Craig pizza pie will work better with your weight loss goals.
Jenny Craig’s Margherita and Pepperoni Pizzas are just the right portion for a meal — and you won’t miss out on a single bite of cheesy, saucy goodness.
The MVP: Oven-Baked Fries
1 cup = 85 calories
Hit the Bench: French Fries
1 cup = 170 calories
They’re salty, crispy and crunchy — and in our eyes, there’s no such thing as a bad baked fry. But when deep frying enters the equation, you’re almost doubling the calorie count, not to mention the added unhealthy fat! Keep things simple by drizzling freshly cut potatoes with a little olive oil and a sprinkle of salt and placing them in an air fryer or oven.
Zucchini fries, thick-cut carrots and parsnips, garlicky green beans or kale chips are delicious options. Try dipping them into hummus or guac instead of regular potato chips!
The MVP: Taco Salad
Jenny Craig Chicken Street Tacos = 250 calories
1 cup romaine lettuce = 5 calories
Total calories: 265
Hit the Bench: Rolled Tacos
5 rolled tacos = 320 calories
Similar to French fries, deep frying is a quick way to add calories to tacos, which can be full of healthy ingredients. Pass on fried rolled tacos for a savory taco salad featuring Chicken Street Tacos. Use the taco shells as your “bowl” or crisp them up to use as a crunchy tortilla topping. All you have to do is add lettuce!
The MVP: Loaded Baked Potato
Jenny Craig Loaded Baked Potato = 250 calorie
Hit the Bench: Potato Skins
4 potato skins = 340 calories
The easy and delicious Loaded Baked Potato from the Jenny Craig menu is the perfect alternative to classic game day appetizer. This perfectly portioned potato is stuffed to the brim with cheddar cheese, bacon and green onions. You can enjoy the whole thing for 250 calories, while just four potato skins clock in over 300 calories.
It’s All About Balance
When there’s an impressive spread of food at a party, it’s best to choose wisely. Popular game day snacks can pack a heavy calorie punch and make all-day grazing much easier to do. But picking healthier options doesn’t mean you’ll have to miss out.
You don’t have to deprive yourself when you’re out having a good time. Enjoy a balanced plate with vegetables, protein and healthy fat. Pay attention to how much you’re serving yourself, but don’t worry about getting wrapped up in counting how many calories are in every single item. The most important part is to enjoy the game and your company!
Whether you’re prepping for game day or are looking for simple, healthy options to support weight loss, Jenny Craig can help. Browse our menu and get ready for big, bold flavors that balance nutrition with great variety — no calorie-counting necessary. Get started by booking your appointment with a weight loss coach today!
*Calorie information derived from Jenny Craig website and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) FoodData Central database.
