Football Season is upon us once again, and so are the notoriously unhealthy habits associated with viewing parties, tailgates, and games which can be stressful to those with health and fitness goals.

How can you survive football season and stay healthy? You beat the system! We have complied 5 Game Day Appetizers for the Healthy Fan so you can be ready for your next party or tailgate. 

Greek Salad Skewers

Ingredients

• 1 block of Feta, cut into cubes
• 15 kalamata olives
• 15 cherry tomatoes
• 1 cucumber, cut into 15 cubes
• Juice of half of a lemon
• 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic, chopped
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• ¼ tsp dried oregano
• ½ tsp dried parsley
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard

Directions

1. Add your chopped garlic to a medium bowl with the mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, herbs, and seasoning
2. With a whisk, slowly stream in the olive oil to create an emulsion, set this aside
3. Assemble your skewers, starting with the tomato, cucumber, feta and then olive
4. Lay your skewers in a baking dish and top the skewers with your dressing
5. Remove from the dish and serve on a fresh plate when you’re ready to eat

Feta and Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms 

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw spinach, chopped
• ½ yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese
• ½ cup ricotta cheese
• 20 crimini mushroom caps
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp fresh chopped parsley
• ½ tsp salt and pepper to taste
• ½ tsp red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
2. In a medium sauté pan, add the olive oil and heat the pan to medium high
3. Add in your onion and saute until softened
4. Add in your garlic and red pepper flakes
5. Add in your raw spinach and cook until wilted
6. In a medium bowl, add the cooked spinach mixture into the bowl
7. Add the feta and ricotta and combine
8. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray and place your crimini mushroom caps so the opening faces up
9. Fill each cap with the feta and spinach mixture
10. Top with Parmesan and parsley and place into the oven
11. Bake for 10-12 min or until tops are golden brown

Lemon Pepper Grilled Wings

Ingredients

• 20 flat and drumette chicken wings
• 2 quarts of water
• ½ cup table salt
• ¼ cup sugar
• ½ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp lemon-pepper seasoning
• Juice of ½ lemon
• 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
• ¼ cup Avocado oil (or extra virgin olive oil)
• 1 tbsp grassfed butter, melted
  

   

Directions

1. Combine water, table salt, and sugar
2. Place the wings in the brine and allow them to marinate for 1-2 hours
3. Remove the chicken wings from the brine and pat dry
4. Preheat your grill to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and oil your grill rack
5. Place the wings on the prepared grilled rack and close your grill for 5 minutes.
6. With your tongs, shift the wings around to allow the full wing access to direct heat, close the grill and allow to cook for an additional 5 minutes before flipping and repeating the process on the other side
7. In a medium bowl mix the oil, lemon juice, seasonings, and butter together and set aside until your wings are fully cooked
8. Once the wings have a nice char on both sides, toss them into the oil mixture until wings are fully coated

Mini Cauliflower Pizzas 

Ingredients

• 5 cups cooked cauliflower rice
• 1 large egg
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1¼ cup low moisture mozzarella cheese
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ cup pizza sauce

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
2. Add the cooked cooled cauliflower rice to a cheese cloth or linen towel
3. Squeeze the cloth to remove all moisture from the cauliflower, repeat until no more liquid comes out from the linen.
4. Add all the ingredients together into a medium bowl and combine it to form the dough
5. Spray your muffin tin with a low-calorie cooking spray
6. Place a tablespoon of the dough into each tin and press until you get an even layer while pressing up so the sides are higher then the center
7. Bake the crust alone for 25 min
8. Once you remove the pizza crusts from the oven, top with a teaspoon of sauce and a tablespoon of cheese
9. Top with your favorite pizza toppings

Keto-Pecan Crusted Chicken Fingers with Manuka Honey Dijon dipping sauce

Ingredients 

• 10 ounces chicken breast tenderloins
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup almond flour
• ¼ cup crushed pecans
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 tsp chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground black pepper
• ½ cup of dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp of Hanuka honey
• ½ tbsp apple cider vinegar 

Directions

1. Whisk the eggs together and set aside
2. Sprinkle ½ tsp of salt onto the chicken tender and set aside
3. Combine almond flour, crushed pecans, Parmesan cheese, parsley and the remaining seasonings into medium bowl for coating
4. Dunk each tender into the egg mixture and immediately into the coating
5. Press each tender into the flour mixture making sure each is well coated; shake off any excess and set aside
6. Once all tenders are coated choose from any one of the cooking options below:

• Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit with 1 tsp of olive oil. Once heated, add in your tenders and cook for 8 min, flip and cook for an additional 8 min. Finish with a sprinkling of salt.
• Pan: In a medium pan, heat 2 tsp of olive oil (or oil of choice) once preheated, add in your tenders and cook until fully browned, flip and finish cooking until the full tender is golden brown. Finish with a sprinkling of salt.
• Oven: Preheat oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit with your baking sheet in the oven (allow the baking sheet to fully heat up) Remove the baking sheet and spray your favorite low-calorie oil spray on the sheet. Add the tenders and cook for 12 min, flip the tenders and cook for an additional 10-12 min until fully golden brown. Finish with a sprinkling of salt.
• Mix the dijon mustard, Hanuka honey and apple cider vinegar together for the dipping sauce; add salt and pepper to taste

Tip: If you’re invited to a party and aren’t in control of making the food, here are a few hacks to stay healthy this Football Season.

1. Substitute the burger and hot dog bun for some crisp Iceberg lettuce for a delicious lettuce wrap.
2. Opt for crunchy vegetables instead of chips for dip
3. Instead of soda, try soda water with a squeeze of lemon and lime and your favorite AminoLean flavor
4. Avoid fried items and try sticking to fresh-off-the grill items

 Being healthy doesn’t mean sacrificing fun or the events you enjoy, it simply means aligning your actions with your goals. Enjoy the parties and tailgates! Just be mindful and proactive in your food choices. And from time to time, indulging in your favorite foods can be great for the mind and the spirit as long as it’s in moderation! Happy Football Season everyone.