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Game day is all about tailgating, hanging with friends, and critiquing those extra-spicy commercials. No matter what happens on the field, the MVP at your party will be the one who brings the best appetizer. And if you’re hosting, you’ll want to create a game day spread that caters to your whole team, whether they’re keto, vegetarian, or old-fashioned meat lovers.
Navigating the game day snack table can be tricky for folks focused on healthy eating or weight management. But it doesn’t have to be.
You can transform your favorite recipes into healthy party food with a few tweaks and simple ingredient swaps.
We’ve rounded up 15 apps and finger foods to inspire your football party menu. You may already have a go-to recipe for some of these game-day classics. If not, they’re widely available online. We’re walking you through healthy swaps that will take your football party food to the next level (and score you major points with your health-conscious friends).
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Guacamole is a crowd-pleaser, and it’s full of nourishing ingredients, like avocadoes, onions, tomatoes, lime, garlic, and cilantro.
For an even more impressive spread, serve it with some pico de gallo. Pico de gallo is a fresh salsa made with chopped tomatoes, onions, and jalapeños. It pairs really nicely with guacamole and gives people another dip option.
And if you want to serve your guac and pico with something healthier than tortilla chips, consider making homemade yuca or plantain crisps. You just need yuca or plantain and an air fryer (though baking on high heat in the oven can work, too).
To give you a sense of the nutritional profile, one avocado contains about:
Calories: 322
Carbs: 17 grams (g)
Dietary Fiber: 14 g
Protein: 4 g
Total Fat: 29 g
And one cup (139 g) of baked plantains contains about:
Calories: 215
Carbs: 57.5 g
Dietary Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 3 g
Total Fat: 0.2 g
Hummus is another great dip when prioritizing healthy eating goals without sacrificing flavor.
Made from chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, and lemon, it’s packed with protein and has a rich taste and creamy texture.
Pair it with a colorful assortment of raw veggies like carrots, celery, cucumber, and bell peppers for a satisfying crunch and a boost of other vitamins and minerals.
One serving (around 2 tablespoons) of hummus contains about:
Calories: 71
Carbs: 4.5 g
Dietary fiber: 1 g
Protein: 2.3 g
Total fat: 5.3 g
Buffalo wings are a game day classic for a reason. They’re easy to prep, easy to share, and the spicy kick pairs really well with beer — if you’re into that kind of thing.
To turn this into a healthy game day snack, try baking or air-frying the wings instead of deep-frying them. This will help you reap the benefits of this protein-rich food without coating them in grease.
To make a healthy dipping sauce, focus on spices and lemon juice instead of loading it up with salt. And consider swapping sour cream for reduced-fat Greek yogurt. If you get a store-bought dip, look for options with fewer additives, preservatives, and added sugars.
Curious where your favorite game day foods fall on the scale of healthiest to unhealthiest?
For a vegetarian twist on buffalo wings, air fryer buffalo cauliflower bites are a fantastic alternative. They’re crispy and flavorful — offering the same bold flavor as their chicken counterparts — but with a fraction of the calories.
The only caveat is they don’t have much protein.
But you can compensate for that with a protein-packed dipping sauce. Consider a blue cheese dip with reduced-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream. Thus will help increase your protein intake and reduce fat. It’ll still be a creamy complement to balance out the heat of the spicy cauliflower.
Cauliflower offers plenty of other health benefits too, thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties and high fiber content.
These spicy favorites pair beautifully with a high-stakes football game and a good beer (or sparkling water). With some adjustments, you can turn this crowd-pleaser into a healthy game-day snack.
One simple step is to bake them instead of frying them. Baking cuts down on fat content, and without the excess grease, the flavors really shine through.
Instead of full-fat cheese in your stuffing, opt for fresh jalapeños, light cream cheese, and reduced-fat shredded cheese. Then season to perfection.
We also recommend swapping your usual breadcrumbs for the whole grain variety. This will lower the glycemic index and prevent blood sugar spikes.
Mozzarella sticks are a common choice for the big game. They tend to get a bad health rap, but let’s not forget that cheese can be a good source of protein and calcium — among other things. And with a few tweaks, you can turn them into a healthy game-day snack.
Consider using low-fat string cheese as your base. Then swap your regular breadcrumbs with a mixture of grated parmesan cheese and whole-grain breadcrumbs.
Use an air fryer to achieve the perfect golden crunch with minimal oil, and pair them with a low-sodium marinara sauce for a tangy, crowd-pleasing, and healthy game-day appetizer.
One piece of string cheese contains around:
Calories: 50
Carbs: 0
Dietary fiber: 0
Protein: 6
Total tat: 2.5 g
If you’re looking for a fun, low-carb twist on mozzarella sticks, consider swapping string cheese with avocado slices.
Start with a perfectly ripe avocado. If it’s gone soft, it won’t hold up as well. Then simply roll the avocado slices in grated or shredded parmesan and bake until crispy.
This keto-friendly football food is rich in healthy fats, which can help you feel full.
One avocado contains:
Calories: 322
Carbs: 17 g
Dietary fiber: 14 g
Protein: 4 g
Total Fat: 29 g
A 1-ounce (28 g) serving of hard parmesan contains about:
Calories: 111
Carbs: 0.9 g
Protein: 10 g
Fat: 7 g
Chicken skewers are another simple and high-protein appetizer idea. Skewers are the perfect finger food to serve hungry fans because they’re filling and full of protein. Plus, they can round out your keto football party menu.
Add grilled veggies to your skewer, like peppers and red onions, or keep them simple with plain chicken.
Serve them with a peanut butter dipping sauce for extra flavor and even more protein per bite.
We like to make peanut sauce using peanut butter, siracha, fresh ginger, and a dash of coconut aminos and rice vinegar.
100 grams of grilled chicken breast contains:
Calories: 135
Carbs: 13 g
Dietary fiber: 1.4 g
Protein: 9.6 g
Total fat: 4.8 g
Turkey meatballs are a yummy and flavorful source of lean protein.
Coat your meatballs in a light tomato sauce instead of one with added sugars, and pop a toothpick in them for that handheld experience everyone loves.
Three store-bought turkey meatballs contain around:
Calories: 170
Carbs: 7 g
Dietary fiber: 2 g
Protein: 15 g
Total fat: 9 g
Sweet potatoes are a colorful and nutrient-packed alternative to traditional tortilla chips.
To make your own sweet potato chips, toss thin slices of sweet potatoes in olive oil, spread them out on a sheet pan, and bake until crispy.
Once your chips are ready, load them up with healthy proteins like black beans, grilled chicken, and reduced-fat cheese. Season with your favorite spices and and pile on some veggies — think lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado slices. Top with herbs (like chives) for added flavor and texture.
One sweet potato contains about:
Calories: 80
Carbs: 19.5 g
Dietary fiber: 1.8 g
Protein: 0.8 g
Total fat: 0 g
Ready for dessert? These protein-packed, no-bake brookie bites will have everyone walking away happy, regardless of who takes home the trophy. So, what exactly is a brookie? It’s a mashup of your two favorites: brownies and cookie dough.
Our healthy brookie recipe uses almond butter, vanilla protein powder, cacao powder, and sugar-free chocolate chips to deliver the flavors you crave without the excess calories.
One brookie bite contains about:
Calories: 89
Carbs: 6 g
Dietary fiber: 2 g
Protein: 4 g
Total fat: 6 g
Upgrade your classic artichoke dip by swapping out sour cream for reduced-fat Greek yogurt and keeping salt to a minimum. This simple switch maintains the creamy, tangy flavor you love while adding a protein boost and reducing fat content.
Loaded with nutritious artichokes and a lighter base, this dip is a wholesome option that pairs perfectly with whole-grain crackers, raw veggies, or even homemade baked pita.
For a low-carb and gluten-free take on the taco, make lettuce cups.
Stuff your lettuce cups with a flavorful filling of ground chicken and finely minced vegetables. Mushrooms, cauliflower, and bell peppers all work beautifully. This combo packs in plenty of protein and fiber while keeping the calorie count relatively low.
Plus, the entire filling can be made in one pan, saving you time and dishes — a win for any busy host who actually wants to watch the game.
Pro tip: Gem or iceberg lettuce varieties are ideal since they maintain their structure well, even when loaded with toppings, and provide that satisfying crunch with every bite.
If you haven’t tried baked parmesan zucchini bites yet, you’re in for a treat.
It’s as easy as it is delicious. Slice fresh zucchini into rounds, then sprinkle with a mixture of grated parmesan cheese, chopped rosemary, and a dash of salt and pepper. Pop them in the oven until golden and crispy, and voilà — you’ve got yourself a yummy snack.
You can even add a Greek yogurt and herb-based dipping sauce to kick things up a notch.
One medium zucchini contains:
Calories: 33
Carbs: 6 g
Dietary fiber: 2 g
Protein: 2 g
Total fat: 1 g
A 1-ounce (28 g) serving of hard parmesan contains:
Calories: 111
Carbs: 0.9 g
Protein: 10 g
Fat: 7 g
For a crispy and flavorful snack, roast some Brussels sprouts in the oven at high heat. Just toss the sprouts with a drizzle of olive oil, a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and roast until golden.
It’s a tasty way to make veggies the MVP of your game-day spread!
100 grams of raw Brussels sprouts offer:
Calories: 59
Carbs: 9.6 g
Dietary fiber: 4.8 g
Protein: 4.0g
Total fat: 0.56 g
They’re also full of other good nutrients, like calcium, magnesium, and other heart-healthy minerals that help fight inflammation.
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