Super Bowl Snacks

I wish we all had Jillian Michaels's insane willpower to snack only on healthy foods during the Super Bowl, but when cheesy nachos and buttery popcorn are glaring at you from the coffee table, it's pretty impossible to resist. Moderation will be the key to keeping you on your healthy path this Sunday, so arm yourself with this calorie info, and you'll be able to have your pizza and eat it too.

Don't see your favorite snack? Then read more

I'm not a huge football fan, but I have hosted my share of Super Bowl parties over the years. Let's face it, this Sunday is about more than just a big game. There's halftime shenanigans, million-dollar commercials, and, of course, the food.

Super Bowl Sunday is a big day of grazing: chips, Buffalo wings, layered dips, and sliders are pretty standard. Read — not so good for the waistline. Besides offering up some healthy eats, I try to make things healthier by keeping food in the kitchen and out of the living room. By doing so, it forces myself (and my guests) to get up and make a plate when they're hungry — say goodbye to mindless eating!

FitSugar reader JuicyNoelle shared this healthy nacho recipe in the Healthy Recipe community group.

Getting ready for the big game this weekend? These Surfer Style Nachos are loaded with fresh tomatoes, beans, salsa, and corn set atop a deliciously crunchy chip.

Now check out the recipe.

If you're like us, you might be parked on the couch this Sunday watching the Super Bowl. Even if you're not a huge football fan, there's still halftime, the commercials, and Super Bowl parties to contend with. Before you let the big game day deter you from your healthy diet, check out how trainer Jillian Michaels keeps Super Bowl eating healthy, fun, and filling.

• Snacking is a hard habit to break . . . so don’t — Jillian says to look for healthier snack options instead: Popchips are great alternatives to brands like Doritos or Cheetos, and we love making kale chips. Jillian makes nachos healthier by swapping out cheese and sour cream for black beans, guacamole, fresh salsa, and plain Greek yogurt. And if meat is on the menu, look for lean grass fed beef or organic chicken. Or consider going meat-free with our tofu chili with black beans.
• Steer clear of calorie-filled condiments —  When dressing up a burger, Jillian says to avoid high calorie condiments like ketchup and mayo. Instead, she prefers to garnish football fare with avocado and organic veggies.
• Watch your alcohol consumption —  Jillian suggests skipping alcohol completely on Super Bowl Sunday, but if that's not possible, go for something lighter. Our picks are a glass of wine, low-cal cocktail, or light beer.

Now that we know who is going to the Super Bowl, it's time to get started on a Super Bowl party menu. Rather than clutter the table with junk food, consider making a bunch of healthy killer appetizers. Spicy black bean and sweet potato cakes are full of flavor and bound to satisfy even the hungriest of appetites.

While it looks like they have been pan fried, these cakes are actually cooked under the broiler with a minimal amount of oil. If you don't want to use full-fat sour cream, try substituting light sour cream or yogurt for the same great taste. Or jazz up the dipping sauce with extra jalapeno. Not only are these a great starter, but served with a salad, they are also a scrumptious vegetarian dinner. Heat up your broiler and keep reading for the recipe.