9 Easy Healthy Snack Ideas for Super Bowl Sunday and Special Gatherings

Here are some great healthy ideas for snacks on Super Bowl Sunday. You’re doing your company such a wonderful favor by offering natural foods and healthy snacks instead of high calorie, processed, or sugar laden snacks. Talk about winning, this will win them over to convert to healthy snacks once you give them the idea and examples! Honestly, I’ve proven this time and time again, if you place these healthy snack alternatives on a table, many will migrate to them and try. The outcome is they will like it and possibly implement the same snacks back at their own households. Remember what a snack is, a lot of people tend to overeat snacks so it’s important you keep this definition in mind. The definition of a snack is “a small amount of food that is eaten between meals” Let’s break this down, small amount means a little portion and between meals means it’s not meant to be a meal, so let’s do some healthy snacking at this year’s Super Bowl Sunday and not serve our plates looking like a full course meal! (Please note: Most of the healthy snacks listed here do not call for cooking and I explain some preparation ideas that are quite simple to fix. However due to peoples’ many different dietary issues and preferences, I am giving you some great ideas for healthy snacks that are easy but I recommend you search online for the cooked recipes that fits your requirements.)

1. Almonds, Cashews, and Pistachios- You can place each in its very own bowl with a tablespoon placed in each nut bowl so your company will not over serve their portions. They are high in fat so a little serving is all you need. You are giving your company good brain function when they consume nuts and they are ultimate nutritional dynamos which are loaded with protein, heart-healthy fats, vitamins plus minerals. Also they tend to suppress the appetite because of their beneficial mix of omega-3 fatty acids, protein, and fiber which will help you feel full and satisfied. (Look for raw or dry roasted nuts not roasted in oil, for we don’t want unhealthy fats in anyone’s diet.)
2. Pomegranate Seeds-These beautiful brilliant red color seeds will be a hit at your party. They will love the taste of these refreshing seeds! I normally buy 3 pomegranates for a party of 10-12 but buy according to your company size and your desire. After you rinse off the tasty sweet seeds, place them in a beautiful bowl with a serving spoon. (You can watch online videos of several different easy ways to remove the fleshy seeds for consumption.) Pomegranates are a nutrient dense food and are very rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals. The antioxidants, tannins and polyphenols that the seeds are full of will protect against cancer and heart disease plus it’s awesome for helping the skin to be more youthful and vibrant. That should be good enough reason to include these at your party!
3. Dark Chocolate Covered Goji Berries- These berries are packed with antioxidants plus the dark chocolate is not only good for you but gives your company that chocolate goodness they might be craving. ( The brand I like to use is called Himalania Dark Chocolate Covered Goji Berries.) Serve in a nice bowl with nice teaspoon or smaller version serving spoon. It’s recommended to eat about 1 ounce for a serving. These are quite expensive but it’s going to be worth it once you taste them and know the health benefits of consuming these. Goji berries are a good source of age defying antioxidants, vitamins and minerals and the dark chocolates antioxidants just make this snack all the better. What I like to do is place the bowl of chocolate goji berries in a center of a plate and lined the serving plate around the bowl full with sliced strawberries and whole blueberries. It not only looks beautiful but you will see how company gravitates to that serving plate. This combo serves your guests awesome powerhouse antioxidant foods and you're doing them a favor by serving it this way!
4. Home-made Veggie Platter (accompany with 2 Dips) - Try to build your own and forget the store brought already made veggie platter, make this one instead and you will hear rave reviews. It will not only look vibrant with colors and appeasing to the eye but and you can keep adding when the plate starts emptying as they eat and you choose what you want on the plate. These raw veggies are actually giving your company much needed vitamins and minerals from all these “alive” foods. I use a large oval serving plate we use on Thanksgiving and I cut up cucumbers, zucchini sticks (peeling is optional), carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, celery sticks, green and red bell peppers sticks, layering them around the plate and decorate them with scattered cherry tomatoes. In the center of this large platter plate I put some store bought organic roasted red pepper hummus in a bowl and a bowl of homemade yogurt pesto dip. It looks beautiful! These are awesome dips for the veggies. To make the yogurt pesto all I do is use my small food processor and add ¾ cups fresh basil, 2 plus ½ tablespoons of pine nuts, a dash of black pepper and onion powder 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1 crushed peeled garlic clove and 1 plus ¼ cup of plain low fat Greek yogurt then mix and chill overnight. (Add less yogurt if you want it thicker.)
5. Pita Bread with Salsa Mango Quinoa Dip- This yummy combo your company will love. You can serve with either whole grain pita chips or whole grain Pita Bread. Some might like with blue corn tortilla chips. This is easy, healthy and simple. I recommend you use Amy’s Organic Salsa. (I use the medium flavor) When I’m entertaining 10-12 guests, I buy 4 jars and 2-3 fresh mangoes. I empty salsa (which is delicious or you can make your own) into a large size serving bowl and after I cut up the inside of my mangoes into diced cubes I add this to the salsa mixture with a teaspoon of chili powder and mix thoroughly. I then add about 1 plus ½ cup of cooked but cooled off Quinoa and add this in last. Chill about 3 hours so the mango juices give it good taste and then serve with nice serving spoon. When serving with pita bread I slice into triangle serving pieces so my guests can hold in hand and place salsa on top but pita chips taste real good as well with this dip. I normally put the salsa mango dip on a tray and surround the bowl with the bread or chips. The tomatoes in the salsa are organic and healthy and the mango is packed with antioxidants, vitamins and minerals plus aids in digestion while the quinoa has good protein and high anti-inflammatory phytonutrients in it. This is very satiating as well.
6. Black Bean Salsa Quesadillas – Instead of making chicken Quesadillas try this Black Bean version. (Adding shredded cheddar with the black beans is optional) Look online for your favorite way to make Quesadillas but I prefer to bake mine for 20 minutes at 375 degrees on a parchment papered cookie sheet. This is simple and easy. All you do is buy 2 cans of Amy's Organic Refried Black Beans and 2 jars of Amy’s Organic Salsa. You will also need 6 large burrito size tortillas. (This serves about 5-6 adults so double the recipe if you intend on making more) You get a good size frying pan and add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and melt, then add the 2 cans of refried black beans and stir on low heat for about 7 minutes. While stirring you add in a dash of black pepper, garlic powder and chili powder 2 times. On a clean surface place 3 tortillas down and spread the bean mixture all over them evenly, then take 6 spoonful's of the salsa and spread around on top of bean mix and sprinkle with shredded cheddar or Mexican style cheese. Now top it with another tortilla and bake(tops should be slightly crispy) After it’s done, you can slice the quesadilla into 6 slices and layer on platter. In the middle of the platter you can serve with your favorite guacamole mix in a bowl (or make your home made version) and a bowl of salsa. Black Beans support the digestive tract and have muscle building proteins, lowering blood cholesterol levels due to its soluble fiber. It’s also great to fight heart disease because black beans hold an extensive variety of both anti-inflammatory properties and antioxidants Guacamole is high in fat, but it’s the good fats. It’s high in fiber and potassium plus immune fighting vitamins like Vitamin A and C.
7. Walnut Pear Cinnamon Vanilla Dessert- This is a simple tasting healthy treat for all your guests. It makes 7-8 nice size ramekins of this, but depending on how much you want to make you can estimate the ingredients you will need. I bought Stonyfield Organic Smooth & Creamy French Vanilla Yogurt-2lb, 4 peeled pears and 8 ounces of fresh walnut halves crumbled with your hands in small bite size pieces. In a large mixing bowl I empty the yogurt in there, then I first cut the pears into thick slices, then cutting them into cubes the size of sugar cubes I place them in the bowl next, then add 2 plus ¼ teaspoons of pure vanilla extract (I’m telling you the best I’ve ever tried is made by Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract) and lastly I add the crumbled walnuts in(leaving a tiny bit to top with later) it and mix all with wooden spoon until well mixed. Spoon into ramekins, top with finely crumbled walnuts with your hand and I sprinkle cinnamon with 4 shakes to evenly cover the yogurt mixture. Chill for at least 2 hours then serve. Walnuts are loaded with Omega 3 fatty acids, full of antioxidants’ that promote heart health and reduce the risk of diabetes plus improves cognitive function. Pears give you a natural source of energy and have a very good source of fiber. They contain vitamins C and E, plus B2, copper, and potassium. They also comprise of a higher amount of pectin then apples, which is a water soluble fiber that helps lower cholesterol. The Cinnamon is great for regulating blood sugar and has antioxidants in it and many yogurts contain healthy amount of the good bacteria for the digestive tract, by using active, good bacteria. (probiotics) This is a much healthier dessert for your company verses pastries, cookies or pies and they will love this!
8. Roasted Brussel Sprouts- You won’t believe how delectable these are until you try them. My recipe makes about 7 servings so double the ingredients if you plan on making more. I use about 1 plus ½ pound of fresh Brussel sprouts and wash them. I then I cut the brown ends off and peel the outer layers of the leaves if they are slimy or yellow. I put 3 plus ¼ tablespoon of Extra Virgin Olive oil in a mixing bowl and add ½ teaspoon of black pepper, ¾ teaspoon of pink crystals Himalayan salt (if you don’t have this salt you can use kosher salt or Celtic salt) ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ¼ teaspoon onion powder and mix with a fork. Add the Brussels sprouts in and mix thoroughly. Put them on a cookie sheet pan and spread evenly and cook at 375 degrees for about 35 to 45 minutes. Keep checking them and shake the pan a little to evenly cook them. I might add a tad more of my salt during cooking time if it needs some more taste but they should be tender on the inside and crispy on the outside, so do some taste tests. Brussel sprouts has Vitamin C, B1 and K in them and contain a rich source of minerals and nutrients such as choline, manganese, , calcium, copper, omega 3 fatty acids, folate, potassium, iron, and phosphorus. You will be doing your guests a favor by serving this!
9. Children’s Healthy Table Finger Snacks- I get a nice large platter for finger foods for the kids on the table, because it’s easy for them to grab and eat not to mention healthy. I get a nice bag of navel oranges and cut them in quarters and line the platter dish with them. In the center I place in 2 bowls of green and red seedless grapes (already picked off the stem), it’s beautiful with those vibrant colors and kids love them. I then place a bowl next to the side of the platter dish with pumpkin seeds on one side and the other side shelled pistachios with serving spoons. I then get a serving plate and line and layer them with Cliff Kids Organic Chocolate Brownie Bars and Cliff Kids Organic Iced Oatmeal Bars. Adults also eat these as well, they always compliment how moist and great tasting they all. (These are not the best thing a child can eat but way better then candy bars or rice crispy treats and most kids love them plus they’re baked with whole grains and nutrients.) The last thing I do is put a large cute mug of wrapped cheese sticks standing in there called Organic Valley Mozzarella, Low Moisture, Part Skim, 24/1 oz. sticks.(this brand is good and I recommend it for kids) These are a good source of protein and calcium. The seeds and nuts are healthy, the oranges are a great source of Vitamin C and Vitamin A which protect the eyes plus the grapes have high nutrient content and possess a powerhouse of antioxidants not to mention they are great for overcoming constipation.

Remember, Presentation is everything and makes the difference in how your festive table set up will appear. Get out some nice bowls and plates to serve in and on verses plastic bowls, this will enhance your welcoming strategy plus make the food appear more appetizing and vibrant. Stick to the theme of the party i.e., football stuff or the super bowl football teams and colors when making or buying decorations. Of course using paper ware/plastic ware is fine for people to eat off of but just make your feast of healthy snacks look inviting and appealing. The most important part is the fact you are introducing your guests to healthy snacking which can possibly make a positive change in them just by your example. Have a wonderful happy healthy party!