Like any good coach, you have to have a strategy, a plan of action, for your Super Bowl Party. When everyone shows up at the door and you don’t have anything for them to eat, it could be chaos. With the generous assistance of Amy Goodson, a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics, and nutritional consultant, here are some Healthy Options for the Snacks at your Super Bowl party.

It’s always good to start strong, and color can make a great visual impact. Start off with a brightly colored veggie tray, full of a wide variety of bite-size veggies, with a nice healthy dip.

A well presented veggie tray will be full of nutrients, rich in fiber and minerals, and with the right dip can provide the protein required to make it through the first quarter of play. If you’d rather go with a hot option, try grilling some veggie kebabs on mini skewers.

For the dip, you've got to get it right. You don’t want something that is heavy, sending the guys to sleep halfway through the game. Hummus goes well with veggies, crackers, pita bread, you name it. Guacamole is a healthy option great with corn chips, and pita chips. If you like the spinach and artichoke dips, try them with low-fat cheese instead. If you’re short on time, Ranch and French Onion packet dips can be made with low-fat sour cream instead of regular to achieve a healthier result.

Whatever you do, don’t get stuck in a corner, stay away from the fried greasy foods. Avoid potato chips, french fries, and try instead whole wheat crackers, pretzels, and whole wheat pita chips. When you’re getting the chips for the dip, choose the light tortilla chips or a plain corn chip.

If you really, really want to have fries, try sweet potato wedges instead.

Because they are baked, not fried, and use sweet potatoes rather than the regular starchy potatoes, they are a much healthier choice.

When it comes to the meat, you want to keep it lean.

A lot of parties use fried, breaded, and high-fat meat. Stick to grilled or baked instead. Try boneless, skinless chicken wings, or kebabs with veggies and grilled beef or chicken for a more healthy choice. Quesadillas with grilled chicken and a 2% cheese wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla are a tasty option. Or try mini grilled burger sliders. The tiny 2 to 3-ounce patties on whole wheat buns are an excellent snack. You might also try lean ground turkey instead of beef for a tasty change.

When it comes to the end of the game, you’re either going to want to celebrate the victory or soothe your shattered expectations with a tasty dessert. Just because it’s tasty doesn’t mean it can’t be healthy.

You started the party with a veggie tray, you could end up with a fruit tray. With a variety of assorted vegetables and a flavorful yogurt for a dip, it’s sure to be a hit. Or take the same fruit and yogurt and make parfaits. They are easily made in a tall glass ahead of time. Fruit kebabs are always a big hit, Jell-O is too with a light Cool Whip topping. You might also try Cool Whip sandwiches which are diced fruit mixed with Cool Whip between graham crackers. Or, make some Peanut Butter Bites by mixing a 1/2 cup of peanut butter with 1/4 cup of honey. Stir in a cup of oats and 1/2 a cup of whey protein powder. Roll into 24 balls and refrigerate ahead of time. They’re tasty and delicious and surprisingly healthy.

There is generally a healthier version of most traditional recipes. Try some of these at your next party.
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