5 Super Bowl Snacks that Aren't as Unhealthy as You Think
By the Editors of EatingWell
For many of us, the fun of Super Bowl Sunday comes from watching the game, the commercials--and from enjoying 4+ hours of non-stop snacking! But not every football snack is an all-out calorie blitz. With the right game plan, you can indulge while keeping your tight end.
We looked at 10 of the top Super Bowl snacks and put them in a face-off to see which would win in terms of health. Here are our top 5 healthy picks for Super Bowl snacks.
Chicken wings (3 = 150 cals.) VS. Baby back ribs (1 = 170 cals.)
Winner: Wings!
Post-Game Analysis: Not only do you get to eat more for a similar number of calories, wings are lower in sat. fat (2 g vs. 4 g).
Extra Points: Skip the blue-cheese sauce for an even skinnier treat.
See How to Make Easy Stovetop Buffalo Chicken Wings
Tortilla chips (1 oz. = 140 cals.) VS. Potato chips (1 oz. = 150 cals.)
Winner: Tortilla chips!
Post-Game Analysis: Tortilla chips narrowly claim victory with less sodium (80 mg vs. 180 mg). Check nutrition facts, since brands can vary.
Extra Points: Get either contender in the baked variety and save 20-40 calories.
Guacamole (¼ cup = 85 cals) VS. Black Bean Dip (¼ cup = 60 cals.)
Winner: Tie!
Post-Game Analysis: Both players are good choices: the guacamole has healthy fats and 3 g of fiber; the black bean dip has 2 g of fiber and 4 g of protein, which may help you feel full.
Extra Points: Make it yourself. Nutrition can vary widely by brands, as some add lots of extra salt and full-fat sour cream.
Don't Miss: 4 Tips for the Best Guacamole
Mixed Nuts (1 oz. = 168 cals.) VS. Pretzels (1 oz. = 110 cal.)
Winner: Nuts!
Post-Game Analysis: Nuts might have more calories (168 vs. 110) and sat. fat (2 g vs. 0 g), but they're also chock-full of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals.
Extra Points: Go for unsalted, dry-roasted nuts.
Beer (16 oz. = 140-160 cals.) VS. Cola (16 oz. = 142 cals.)
Winner: Beer!
Post-Game Analysis: Close in calories, beer wins for having no sugar (vs. regular cola's 37 g) and some health benefits in moderate amounts (one drink for women; two for men).
Extra Points: Reach for light beer, which will save you at least 45 calories per serving.
Don't Miss: Our Best Healthy SuperBowl Recipes
What's your favorite super bowl snack?
By the Editors of EatingWell
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