Tailgating Foods

Fall is here! That means football, tailgating, party foods and snacks.

Did you know that people who tailgate eat a weeks worth of calories in one day?

Here are some tips to help you stay on track with your diet and still enjoy tailgating:

1. Bring a healthy snack to share.  Some ideas are: veggies and guacamole, flat bread pizza (spread hummus on a flat-out and pile with veggies), fruit skewers, a salad or cocktail shrimp.

2. Drink water between each alcoholic beverage.

3. After you eat, chew gum. If you are chewing gum you are less likely to mindlessly eat.

4. Stand up when you are eating. It is harder to balance a plate full of food, a drink and eat all at the same time.

5. Fill your plate with veggies and protein first then have some chips and sweets later.

Here is a recipe you can take to your next tailgating party that seems sinful but it’s not (your friends will never know the difference!).
Buffalo Chicken Skewers

Serves 4

From: Rachel Ray Magazine

  • 1/2 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons finely crumbled Gorgonzola
  • 2 teaspoons plus 2 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
  • 1/4 cup canned chickpeas or great northern beans, rinsed
  • 1/4 cup hot sauce, such as Frank’s RedHot
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large cloves garlic
  • 3 boneless, skinless chicken thighs (4 oz. each), each cut lengthwise into 4 pieces
  • 8 celery sticks

 

Directions:
1. For the dip, in a small bowl, mix the yogurt, blue cheese, 2 tsp. vinegar and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper.
2. For the glaze, in a blender, puree the chickpeas, hot sauce, butter, garlic, the remaining 2 tbsp. vinegar and 1/2 tsp. salt. Divide between two small bowls.
3. Heat a grill or grill pan over medium- high. Thread each chicken piece onto a 6- or 8-inch skewer (if using wooden skewers, soak 30 minutes before grilling). Brush the chicken all over with one bowlful of the glaze. Grill, turning occasionally, until grill marks form and the chicken is cooked through, about 8 minutes. Using a clean brush, coat the chicken with the remaining glaze. Serve with the celery sticks and dip.

Enjoy tailgating season without gaining weight!

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