There’s no denying that one of the best parts of football season is tailgating. So what comes to mind when you hear the word ‘tailgate?’ Maybe you’re thinking of your dad’s famous hot wings, or your roommate’s irresistible nachos. Whatever your favorite tailgate food may be, it’s probably not a figure-friendly dish. Snacking on so many fried foods can really take a toll on your body, especially if your tailgate lasts several hours. Not to mention the number of calories you could be consuming in alcohol, soda, or other beverages. Try swapping some of your tailgate dishes with these healthier alternatives so that your favorite team jersey still fits at the end of the season!
If you tailgate with chili, try this:
Turkey Chili
It’s not the easiest dish to travel with, but if you’re playing host to all your friends at home, this chili is the perfect meal to fill everyone up. Plus, one pot serves up to 8 people. You can also use ground beef instead of ground turkey, but beware of the additional fat content in the beef.
1 package extra lean ground turkey (1.25 ounces)
2 bell peppers (Any color will work. I prefer red and green though.)
½ red onion
2 cans (14.5 ounces each) diced tomatoes
1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
1 can black beans, no added sodium
1 can kidney beans (light or dark)
2 cups water
1 beef, chicken, or veggie flavor cub (optional)
1 tbsp. olive oil
2 tbsp. cumin
2 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
3 cloves of minced garlic or 1 tbsp. garlic salt
2-3 tbsp. chili powder
dash of paprika
In a large pot, brown the ground turkey over medium heat with the olive oil and Worcestershire sauce. While the meat is cooking, chop the peppers and onions. When the meat is almost done, add the peppers and onions to the pot.
Open the cans of black beans and kidney beans. Strain the excess liquid and thoroughly rinse the beans with water in a colander. Add to the pot.
Add the remaining ingredients. Stir. Bring chili to a boil and then turn the heat to low. Let the chili simmer for a minimum of 30 minutes.
If you tailgate with pasta salad, try this:
Marinated Veggie Salad
With all the flavor in this salad, your friends may not notice that there isn’t any pasta in the dish, but you’ll be saving tons of calories.
2 cucumbers, chopped
2 cups carrots, chopped
½ cup red onion, diced
1 cup tomatoes, diced
½ cup corn
½ cup black olives, sliced
1 cup Italian dressing
1 tsp. lemon juice
dash of black pepper
Chop/dice all the veggies and place in a large food storage container. Add Italian dressing, lemon juice, and pepper. Let the salad marinade in the refrigerator over night and serve at your tailgate!
If you tailgate with burgers, try this:
Turkey Burgers on Whole Wheat Buns or Lettuce Wraps
You can save yourself quite a few calories by choosing turkey burgers over beef burgers. And opting for whole wheat buns high in fiber will keep you full longer than traditional white buns. Be sure to top your burger with lots of veggies, too!
1 package of extra lean ground turkey (makes 4-5 burgers)
1 pack of whole wheat hamburger buns
½ tbsp. ground black pepper
½ tbsp. garlic salt
2 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce
Burger toppings (Tomatoes, onions, lettuce, pickles, etc.)
Score the turkey meat into 4 or 5 sections. Patty the turkey into regular size burgers. (You can do this ahead of time, freeze the patties, and thaw when ready to grill.)
Place the turkey patties on the grill over the flame. Add a few drops of Worestershire sauce, and a dash of the garlic salt and pepper. Flip the burgers when brown on one side. Add a little more Worcestershire sauce, garlic salt, and pepper. Cook until done. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy! If you’re watching your carb intake, choose a lettuce wrap instead of a bun.
If you tailgate with pizza, try this:
Flatbread Pizzas
Who doesn’t love pizza? Just about all of us enjoy it, but pizza isn’t the healthiest food option. If you’re watching the game at your place, set up a pizza station where you and your guests can make your own.
Flat Out flatbreads (The “Light” version is very low in calories and high in fiber.)
1 jar of pizza sauce or marinara
Pizza toppings (veggies, meats, cheese)
Top a flatbread with pizza sauce and all of your favorite toppings.
Bake the pizzas on a cookie sheet in the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and crust is crispy.
If you tailgate with cookies or brownies, try this:
Fruit Kabobs with Chocolate Drizzle
Desserts add a number of calories and fat to your meal. If you’ve already enjoyed a plethora of high calorie appetizers or drinks, choosing a lighter sweet treat could really go a long way.
2 packs of fresh strawberries
3 cups of grapes
5 bananas, sliced
½ cup chocolate chips (Any kind will work.)
Skewers
*Any fruit will be delicious, so use anything you have on hand or whatever is fresh at your supermarket.*
Spear the fruit onto the skewers, alternating the strawberries, grapes, and bananas. When all the fruit is on the skewers, lay them flat, side by side on parchment paper.
Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave at 10 second intervals, stirring in between so that the chocolate doesn’t burn and melts evenly.
Drizzle the chocolate over the skewers. Refrigerate the skewers until it is time to serve them.