Surprisingly Healthy Super Bowl Fare

Any football fans out there? Nah, didn’t think so. I kid, I kid! Football fan or not, you are probably aware that this weekend in New Orleans is the 47th Super Bowl. I’ve been told it’s a big deal. And while some of us (me!) are more excited to see what colour rhinestone-encrusted leotard Beyonce will be wearing, there’s one thing we can all look forward to: good food.

Super Bowl parties are notorious for mountains of saturated fat-, trans fat-, and sugar-laden foods. Chicken wings, nachos, smokies, beer … the list goes on. While some people might say, “Oh it’s just one day,” there has been evidence showing that the Super Bowl may increase heart attack risk. The study, which came out in 2009, stated that cardiovascular deaths went up in LA County two weeks after its team’s big loss in 1980.

The researchers propose the results may have to do with emotional loss, but other news sources suggest that the overconsumption of food and alcohol may also play a role. Whether their speculation is true or not, we do know that high-fat, high-sugar foods are bad for our health.

This Sunday, see if you can make Super Bowl XLVII a little less hard on our hearts. The following recipes will satisfy a hungry crowd, but not at the expense of their health. (Seriously, they won’t even know they’re healthy—and you don’t have to tell them!)

• Black Bean Beer Chili
• Mini Personal Pizzas
• Fish Tacos with Strawberry Salsa and Beer Caramelized Onions
• Greek-Style Chicken Skewers
• Faux Fried Chicken
• Chili Cheese Fries
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Festive Nachos
• Parmesan Pita Chips
• Lemony Herb Veggie Dip
• Smoked Salmon Dip
• Jamaican Mango Papaya Salsa
• Fruit Skewers with Chocolate Drizzle