Healthy Super Bowl Recipes

Quick Health Scoop

• Typical Super Bowl food is often loaded with unhealthy fats, calories, and little nutrition
• Stick to your New Year’s resolutions to eat healthier—even during the Super Bowl
• Choose healthier Super Bowl foods that provide fiber, vitamins, minerals, and other important nutrients
• Use our healthy Super Bowl recipes for nutritious game day eating

No matter which football team you cheer for this upcoming Super Bowl, you probably want some munchies to round out your game day. But typical Super Bowl food (think cheesy nachos and potato chips and dip) can often be loaded with unhealthy fats, calories, and little nutrition. 

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to eat healthier, then don’t fumble during the Super Bowl. Instead, stick to your healthy eating playbook and pull together some delicious, good-for-you party food that packs in the nutrition and kicks guilt to the sidelines. 

Need some culinary inspiration? Use these recipes to kick off your healthier Super Bowl food strategy.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

If you like no-fuss game day recipes, this healthy Super Bowl snack sails through the goalpost. Even better—it’s both healthy and easy to make. Whip up a batch about an hour before your guests arrive and keep it in the fridge, allowing flavors to meld together.

Health Touchdown: Beans give you a healthy dose of protein and fiber, minus the saturated fat often found in meat. Tomatoes provide Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Lycopene, and Potassium, while corn dishes up Folate, Potassium, and Phosphorus. Eating beans can help you maintain a healthy cholesterol level and contains fiber to keep you feeling full longer.¹

Ingredients:

• 1 (30 oz.) bag frozen corn, thawed and drained
• 2 (15 oz.) cans black beans, drained and rinsed
• 4 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 5 scallions, sliced
• 1 small red onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
• ¼ cup lime juice
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

1. Add first eight ingredients (drained/rinsed/chopped veggies and herbs) to serving bowl and gently mix together. 
2. Add diced avocado to mixture. 
3. Drizzle lime juice over mixture, stirring gently.
4. When ready to serve, drizzle olive oil over mixture, stirring gently.
5. Serve with baked tortilla tips, whole grain crackers, or pita wedges.

Read More: Healthy Grill Recipes

Apple Nachos

To satisfy your sweet tooth without loading on the calories, try this healthy Super Bowl recipe adapted from the American Heart Association.² 

Health Touchdown: Apples contain complex carbs and fiber (which help you feel full and helps to regulate blood sugar), while the seeds and nuts contain potassium (which helps support heart health).^†2

Ingredients:

• ½ cup unsweetened, dried cranberries or raisins
• ½ cup sliced almonds
• ¼ cup unsalted sunflower seeds
• 2-3 apples, cored and sliced
• 1-2 tsp. lemon juice
• ¼ cup peanut butter
• 2 Tbsp. hot water
• 1 Tbsp. honey

Directions: 

1. Combine dried fruit, almonds, and sunflower seeds in a bowl.
2. On a serving platter, layer half the apples. Sprinkle a bit of lemon juice over apples to prevent browning.
3. In small mixing bowl, stir peanut butter, hot water, and honey until smooth. Add more hot water, as needed, to thin the sauce. 
4. Drizzle half the sauce over apples, then sprinkle with half the fruit-nut-seed mixture.
5. Layer remaining apples on top and repeat.

Chicken & Corn Chili

Ready for more hearty fare? Healthy Super Bowl food should also be a crowd-pleaser, like this tasty chili recipe. Make this pre-game, then keep it warm on low heat to serve at half-time.

Health Touchdown: Chicken provides plenty of lean protein as well as Vitamin A, Choline, Niacin, Phosphorus, and Selenium. Eating chicken supports bone health, and promotes energy production.³ Red bell peppers are chock-full of Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Potassium, and Folate. Red peppers are also loaded with antioxidants which help to keep the body healthy, especially the heart and brain.⁴

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. olive oil 
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
• ½ jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 Tbsp. chili powder
• 1 Tbsp. cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 Tbsp. flour
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 cup cooked chicken breast, shredded
• 1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, drained 
• 1 cup frozen corn kernels

Directions: 

1. In large saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, peppers, and garlic. Stir frequently and cook until softened. 
2. Add cilantro, chili powder, cumin, coriander, and flour. Cook one minute, stirring constantly.
3. Add chicken broth, tomatoes, and cilantro, simmering uncovered for 5 minutes.
4. Add chicken, beans, and corn. Simmer for at least 15 more minutes and adjust seasonings. If you like your chili thicker, continue to simmer uncovered until reduced to desired thickness.

Read More: 7 Healthy Foods to Incorporate Into Your Diet

The Bottom Line

You can enjoy Super Bowl food without ditching your New Year’s resolution to eat healthier. For a winning game-day strategy, plan out a healthier menu that focuses on whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Need more nutritious food ideas? Check out our other recipes and continue to check back on the Nature Made blog for the latest science-backed articles to help you take ownership of your health.

This information is only for educational purposes and is not medical advice or intended as a recommendation of any specific products. Consult your health care provider for more information.

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References 

1. American Heart Association. “The Benefits of Beans and Legumes.” 2018. Accessed on: January 25, 2021. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/eat-smart/nutrition-basics/the-benefits-of-beans-and-legumes 
2. American Heart Association. “A sweet Super Bowl treat that won't sack your health.” 2020. Accessed on: January 25, 2021. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/01/30/a-sweet-super-bowl-treat-that-wont-sack-your-health 
3. Texas Medical Center. “The Nutrition Power of Chicken.” 2019. Accessed on: January 26, 2021. https://heartofwellness.org/the-nutrition-power-of-chicken 
4. Harvard Medical School. “Vegetable of the Month: Peppers.” 2018. Accessed on: January 26, 2021. https://www.health.harvard.edu/heart-health/vegetable-of-the-month-peppers 

Nutrition Data from:

USDA FoodData Central: https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/1103276/nutrients 

US FDA: https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/nutrition-information-raw-fruits-vegetables-and-fish 

NutritionData: https://nutritiondata.self.com