By Stacey Stein
With the dawn of a new decade, many of us are
more determined than ever to follow through on health and wellness goals, like cutting
down on sugary snacks or alcohol. But while we may be diligent about eating
healthfully in January, a few weeks later our best intentions often fall by the
wayside at Super Bowl viewing parties.
After all, who can
resist the temptation of deep fried mozzarella sticks, buffalo wings bathed in
hot sauce, and nachos paired with fake cheese dip? This year, challenge
yourself to make 2020 the year of redefining Super Bowl entertaining by
swapping healthy, tasty alternatives for calorie-laden, gut-busting fan favourites.
If you put out a spread brimming with creative, healthy interpretations of traditional
apps, guests won’t even miss their fried, fat-filled counterparts. The best
part? You’ll save your guests – and yourself – from breaking those healthy
eating resolutions.
The standby: Nachos with
artificial liquid cheese
Ubiquitous at Super Bowl parties, nacho
chips are fun to eat and aren’t very filling, which is why it isn’t long before
you lose track of how many you’ve crammed into your mouth. And what gives the
cheese dip that fluorescent yellow glow?
The smart swap:
Registered dietitian Shannon Crocker
recommends veggie-based alternatives that don’t sacrifice the taste or fun
factor of this popular party app. Made with cheddar cheese, onions and other
veggies, these potato
nachos pack a lot of flavour while leaving guests feeling satisfied thanks
to protein-rich and fibre-filled black beans. “This is a heartier dish that
will be filling with an appropriate serving size,” says Crocker. “You get the
great taste satisfaction that you want from a nacho but you’re not overeating.”
Pair the potato nachos with a tangy dip that uses dill ranch-flavoured Nordica
Smooth – a healthy, lower calorie alternative to artificial liquid cheese.
Loaded
sweet potato fries are another delicious veggie alternative to nachos. A
rainbow of veggies makes this a colourful and nutrient-dense dish.
The standby: Buffalo
wings with blue cheese dip
Buffalo wings may be a well-loved party app,
but they’re packed with calories and fat, making them anything but waistline-friendly.
The smart swap:
For a healthy buffalo wing dupe, Crocker
recommends cutting a chicken breast into strips, tossing with some hot wing
sauce, then skewering and broiling. Try serving with Nordica Smooth dill ranch
dip.
Another idea is to create your own dip by mixing
together Nordica Smooth Plain, minced garlic, lime juice and buffalo wing hot
sauce (to taste), then serving with veggie sticks.
The standby:
Seven-layer dip
Who doesn’t love a good seven-layer dip? This
crowd-pleaser is a go-to dish that works well for large gatherings. Cream
cheese – and lots of it – lends the dip its creamy texture, but also packs a
wallop of calories and fat. And contrary to what some may believe, this isn’t
balanced out by protein or calcium – cream cheese doesn’t have much of either.
The smart swap:
Made with Nordica Smooth Plain, this layered
Tex-Mex dip is a lower fat version of the classic seven-layer dip. It also
has the added benefits of calcium and protein, thanks to the cottage cheese. Crocker
recommends mixing in some mashed or whole black beans to give the dip even more
of a nutritional boost. Serve with chopped veggies along with tortilla chips so
that guests have the option of something healthier to dip.
The standby: Fried
finger foods
Onion rings, mozzarella sticks, deep fried jalapeño poppers… fried
finger foods seem to be synonymous with casual entertaining. Bereft of
nutrients and loaded with calories and salt, these party apps are far too easy
to overeat (especially when paired with an equally calorie-dense and fat-laden
dip.)
The
smart swap:
Mushroom-stuffed
zucchinis are a tasty and nutritious stand-in for jalapeño poppers,
while these flavourful cherry bocconcini bites mimic the cheesy
goodness of mozzarella sticks, minus the fat and calories (Crocker recommends
swapping cherry tomatoes for the dried apricots and skewering with fresh basil
leaves.) Zucchini bruschetta, made with Swiss
cheese, is a healthful swap for garlic bread. “Each one of these options includes
veggies in a tasty and interesting way,” says Crocker.
The
standby: Beer and other alcoholic beverages
A few pints may seem to go hand-in-hand with Super Bowl entertaining, but
if you’re working on your beer belly, you’ll probably want to steer clear of
alcohol during your Game Day festivities.
The
smart swap:
According to Crocker, more people are “jumping on the booze-free train,”
which coincides with the growing popularity of mocktails. “People are
recognizing the health risks and costs associated with alcohol,” she says. Try making virgin versions of your favourite cocktails for your
guests. A multi-layered cocktail like this pineapple
Caesar with grilled Halloumi features a complex interplay of interesting
flavours, so you won’t even miss the alcohol when you omit it.
The standby: Sugary sweets
Rooting for your favourite team while
indulging in treats like brownies, cookies and candies may be tempting, but it’s
a losing strategy for sticking to your healthy eating plans this year.
The smart swap:
Food served on boards is a hot trend right
now – Crocker recommends jumping on the bandwagon by swapping a fruit snack
board for a sweets tray. “This is an elevated version of a basic fruit tray,”
she says. Pile various fruit onto a charcuterie board – grapes, orange wedges,
berries, and apple slices all work well – and then include a few bowls of Nordica
Smooth for dipping (put out different flavours like blueberry acai, salted
caramel and lemon.) Complete your creation by sprinkling chunks of dark
chocolate and roasted almonds around the board. Crocker also suggests including
a can of coconut whipped topping or light whipped cream. “This will be a show
stopper at your party,” she says.
