Tailgating Season is Almost Here!!

Football season is almost here.  Whether you are a college or NFL fan (or are in love with someone who is), you probably have been to at least one tailgating event or football-watching party.  As you know, those are the times of high quantities of food and drink.  Lots of dips, chips, burgers and beer.  Now that you are taking a healthier approach to life, you don't have to sacrifice your successes by bingeing at one of these events.

How can you satisfy that hunger for party food yet still control calories?  Try some variations on favorite recipes.  Here's a recipe for Sweet Potato Salad (from Fitness Magazine) which incorporates fruit and nuts in the mix:

• 2 cups cooked sweet potatoes, cut into chunks
• 1 medium apple, diced
• 1/2 cup diced celery
• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup fat-free sour cream
• 1/4 cup fat-free salad dressing or mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons fat-free milk

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl. In a small bowl, blend sour cream, salad dressing or mayonnaise, and milk. Fold sour cream mixture into sweet potato mixture. Chill.

Or try White Bean and Turkey Chili (from Cooking Light Magazine):

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 cups diced yellow onion (about 2 medium)
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3 (15.8-ounce) cans Great Northern beans, rinsed and drained
• 4 cups fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 3 cups chopped cooked turkey
• 1/2 cup diced seeded plum tomato (about 1)
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 8 lime wedges (optional)

Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add onion; sauté 10 minutes or until tender and golden. Add chili powder, garlic, and cumin; sauté for 2 minutes. Add oregano and beans; cook for 30 seconds. Add broth; bring to a simmer. Cook 20 minutes.

Place 2 cups of bean mixture in a blender or food processor, and process until smooth. Return pureed mixture to pan. Add turkey, and cook 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Remove from heat. Add diced tomato, chopped cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper, stirring well. Garnish with lime wedges, if desired.

You don't have to sacrifice taste for nutritional success.  If you can't bring your own food to the party, then try to scope out the veggies and fruit.  Have a burger but skip the bun.  Watch out for the chips and salsa (unless they are healthier versions) because they can pack on the calories.  As always, be careful with the alcoholic beverages...another way to pack on the calories.

Snack on and cheer on your team this fall...just do it in a healthier way!!