10 Healthy Game Day Recipes
Football season is here and that means more gatherings and a lot more food. Game day spreads are generally a mountain of carbs and a ton of calories filled with everything from fried chicken wings and pizza to cheesy dips and sugary desserts.
CMC Weight Loss is here to help you change up your recipes and create a tableful of goodness that will have you scoring big points without sacrificing flavor and taste. We’ve put together a starting lineup of 10 easy-to-make healthy game day recipes that won’t have you and your guests sacking your healthy goals.
Grilled pineapple & jerk shrimp skewers
The flavors of the Caribbean offer up a tasty healthy appetizer with a little spice and a lot of freshness. These skewers are super simple to make and cook up quickly.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Marinate: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 pound (20-25 or 16-20) shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1/2 cup Jamaican jerk marinade (purchase premade from the store for quick and easy prep)
- 1 fresh pineapple, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
Directions
- Marinate the shrimp in half of the jerk marinade for at least 20 minutes
- Skewer the shrimp and pineapple
- Grill over medium-high heat until cooked, about 2-3 minutes per side
Game Changer
Feel free to add peppers, onions, mushrooms, and/or cherry tomatoes to the skewers for a more hearty entrée item.
Caramelized Corn & Cojita Guacamole
This is a fabulous way to change up your guacamole. Caramelizing the corn on your already hot grill is a quick and easy way to add a delicious charred sweetness to an old favorite perfect for no guilt dipping.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 2 ears of corn, shucked
- 2 large avocados mashed
- 1/4 cup crumbled cotija cheese
- Juice of 1 lime
- 1 medium diced tomato
- 1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
- 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
- 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
- Heat your grill to a medium-high temperature. Place your shucked corn on the grill turning it periodically until charred evenly, about 6-10 minutes. You want is charred, not burnt. Remove from the grill and allow it to cool. Cut the corn from the cob.
- Mix all the ingredients and chill in the refrigerator before serving with your favorite tortilla chips.
Game Changer
If you can’t find cotija, feta is a delicious substitute. You can also char your corn in a hot skillet on the stove if you don’t have a grill. Just cut the corn off the cob and add a tablespoon of butter to your medium-high heated pan before throwing your corn in.
Turkey Chili
Traditionally ground beef is used in chili but substituting turkey is a lighter option that is still packed with flavor. Don’t forget the toppings! Chili is always better with some yummy fresh additions.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 tablespoons minced garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 1/2 cups chicken or vegetable stock
- 1 28 oz can diced or crushed tomatoes
- 1 15 oz can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 1/2 cups frozen sweet corn
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 -1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Once the oil is hot add the onion and garlic to the pot and cook. Stir frequently until the mixture is fragrant and the onion is a bit translucent. Add your ground turkey, salt, and pepper to the pot and cook, breaking apart the meat with a spatula until evenly brown and cooked through.
- Add the stock to the pot. Mix in the tomatoes, kidney beans, black beans, corn, chili powder, paprika, cumin, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Bring your chili to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.
- Serve the chili warm with the toppings of your choice.
Game Changer
To make your game day prep easier, cook your chili the day before and simply reheat it for your party.
Also, offer up a variety of toppings for your guests to customize their bowls. Some options could include sour cream or yogurt, shredded cheese, chopped cilantro, fresh or pickled jalapenos, and croutons.
No Mayo Deviled Eggs
That’s right! No mayo. Greek yogurt is a protein-rich substitute for mayo and sour cream in a variety of recipes and has less fat and calories.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 6 large eggs
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon pickle relish
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Pepper to taste
- Smoked paprika for garnish
Directions
- Place eggs in a large saucepan and cover with water by at least 1 inch. Bring the water to a boil over high heat. Let the water rapidly boil for 30 seconds, cover it, and turn the heat off. Let the eggs sit in the hot water for 10-12 minutes.
- Once the eggs have sat for the allotted time, remove the eggs from the hot water and place them in a bowl of ice water for 5-10 minutes to stop the cooking process.
- Peel the eggs and remove the shell. Slice in half lengthwise.
- Remove the yolks with a small spoon and place them in a mixing bowl.
- Add the Greek yogurt, relish, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, salt, and pepper. Mash everything together with a fork. Taste the mixture and season with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
- Spoon the yolk mixture into each egg.
- Sprinkle with smoked paprika and serve right away or place in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
Game Changer
If you want to get fancy, you can add the yolk mixture to a plastic bag and cut the corner off to pipe the yolk mixture into the egg.
Customize your eggs with some different toppings instead of the usual smoked paprika. Try them with cayenne pepper, smoked salmon, chopped chives, fresh dill, or everything bagel seasoning.
Mexicali Dip with a Twist
This super easy, no-bake dip is a crowd pleaser for every game day. But like most cheese dips, Mexicali Dip is not the healthiest. Greek yogurt is a great way to lighten up this finger food without sacrificing flavor and maintaining creaminess. Not to mention, you’ll get a significant dose of gut-friendly probiotics and protein.
Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes Servings: 6-8
Ingredients
- 2 cups Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup Picante salsa
- 2 tablespoons chopped jarred jalapeños or green chilis
- 1/3 cup diced, seeded cherry tomatoes
- 1/3 cup green onions divided
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
- Simply mix all the ingredients together until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for an hour.
- Sprinkle the remaining green onions on top and serve with your favorite tortilla chips.
Game Changer
Get a little fancy by swapping out your yellow tortilla chips with blue corn chips or a tri-color tortilla blend.
Black Bean & Corn Salad (or Dip!)
This fresh and colorful salad is a great substitute for carb-heavy sides like potato salad or pasta salad. It’s quick to whip up and goes great with burgers, chicken, and seafood. You can also serve it as a dip with tortilla chips if you are serving up finger foods.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 bag 16 oz sweet frozen corn kernels, defrosted
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 large red bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 large red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
Directions
- Toss together the veggies and beans in a large bowl.
- Stir in the parsley, vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Serve right away or chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- If you serve this as a dip, we suggest using “scoops” tortilla chips to make dipping easier.
Game Changer
There are a ton of variations you can do with this type of salad. Throw in some jalapeños to add a little spice or some sliced avocado for an added creamy texture. You can also add some roasted elements by grilling peppers, onions, and corn and adding them. Add some black olives and feta for a Greek twist.
Crockpot Pulled Pork 2.0
Crockpot recipes make life easier especially when you are in the middle of game day preparations. In this leaner version of pulled pork, we use pork tenderloin instead of the traditional pork shoulder or pork butt which are fattier. Using a generous amount of spices and cooking this low and slow will ensure this healthier version is moist, flavorful, and packed with protein.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 6 hours
Total Time: 6.5 hours Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 2.5 lbs. pork tenderloin
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 cups chicken stock – you need the liquid for juicy, flavorful pork
- 1/2 cup low-sugar BBQ sauce
Directions
- Cut the ‘silver skin’ from the pork tenderloin.
- In a bowl, whisk together the olive oil and spices. Use this blend to marinate the pork overnight if possible in a Ziploc bag, otherwise, place tenderloins in the crockpot and cover with the oil/spice marinade. Make sure all areas of the pork have some marinade on them.
- Pour the chicken stock into the crockpot, careful to not rinse the marinade off of the meat.
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours in the crockpot.
- When finished cooking, use tongs or a fork to pull the meat apart. Allow the juices to soak into the pulled pork for at least 15 minutes.
- Toss with your favorite low-sugar barbecue sauce and enjoy!
Game Changer
Toss out the bread and opt for lettuce wraps instead. Add some Hawaiian flare by grilling fresh pineapple to top off your wraps.
Do you like your BBQ a little smoky? Add a teaspoon of Liquid Smoke to your marinade before cooking your pork.
Guiltless Stuffed Mushrooms
Earthy, rich mushrooms are packed with fiber and protein and make a great snack while watching your team pass the pig skin. Using baby portobello mushrooms will keep this dish bite-sized so you can enjoy all the rest of your game day menu.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 pound baby portobello mushrooms
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 3 cloves minced garlic
- 1/2 cup whole-wheat panko breadcrumbs, divided in half
- 4 ounces softened low-fat cream cheese
- 1/4 cup minced parsley
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and spray a baking dish with vegetable oil spray.
- Carefully remove the stems creating a cavity in the mushrooms and mince the stems.
- In a large skillet add the minced stems, butter, garlic, salt, and pepper on medium heat.
- Cook and stir for 5-6 minutes until softened and browned.
- Stir in the cream cheese, parsley, and 1/2 of your panko until it’s mixed well.
- Spoon the mixture into each of the mushroom caps.
- In a small bowl stir together the Parmesan cheese and the remaining panko.
- Dip the mushroom with filling into the breadcrumb cheese mixture to coat the cheese and mushroom filling.
- Bake, uncovered, for 22-25 minutes.
Game Changer
Try adding in some of your favorite vegetables to create vegetable-stuffed portobello mushrooms. You can also add a teaspoon of crushed red pepper flakes to make your mushrooms a little spicy.
Grilled peaches with Frozen Yogurt
Sweet, warm grilled peaches are a guaranteed touchdown. Grilling the peaches caramelizes their natural sugars, enhancing their sweet flavor. Serving them up hot off the grill with frozen vanilla bean yogurt makes for a refreshing and satisfying sweet treat that won’t leave you feeling guilty.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 4 medium peaches ripe yet firm
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter melted
- Frozen vanilla bean yogurt
Directions
- Preheat your grill to medium heat.
- Cut the peaches in half and remove the pit.
- Brush the peaches all over with melted butter.
- Place the peaches, cut side down, on the grill. Grill until tender and slightly charred, about 4 minutes per side. Serve immediately.
- Top with vanilla bean frozen yogurt.
Game Changer
Add some texture to this dessert by topping it with your favorite granola blend. The sprinkle of granola adds some crunch to the softened peaches and melting frozen yogurt.
Skinny Fruit Salad
This is one of those recipes that seems too delicious to be so simple and healthy. The deceivingly sweet dressing is actually a simple mixture of yogurt and honey that doesn’t add any additional sugar to this naturally fresh dessert. Throw in all your favorite fruits and voilà! Skinny fruit salad fit for the team.
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 5 cups of your favorite fruits chopped. We like apples, strawberries, mango, and grapes, along with peeled bananas and clementines
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Juice from 1 orange
Directions
- Whisk together the yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract in a small bowl and set aside.
- Combine the freshly squeezed orange juice with all the fresh fruit. Toss the fruit with the honey yogurt sauce.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until you are ready to serve.
Game Changer
Don’t skip the fresh orange juice. This preserves the color of your fruit and keeps fruits like bananas and apples from turning brown.
Achieve your Weight Loss Goals
Eating nutritious meals is only one aspect of living healthier and maintaining your weight. If you live in Myrtle Beach or Florence and are struggling with shedding pounds and navigating health issues associated with obesity, then CMC Weight Loss may be the ticket to helping you achieve your goals.
CMC’s Surgical Weight Loss Program offers two surgical procedures including Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy and offers robotic surgery as a surgical option. We also offer non-invasive medical weight loss measures, informational seminars, support groups, nutritional counseling, and exercise options including our Walking Club and free bariatric exercise program to help our patients throughout their weight-loss journey.
