Tailgating the Healthy Way
Think back to the last time you were tailgating. Did the tailgate food leave you feeling overly full and weighed down? Over at the rec center we have been thinking of ways to help you be prepared with healthy, satisfying snacks and drinks for the next time you cheer on your favorite sports team.

We decided to take a spin on the typical tailgate foods and organize a few delicious recipes to help you enjoy your tailgating while still sticking to your health goals.

Healthy Taco Dip
Servings: 24
Ingredients:
1 16-oz can fat-free refried beans, put in bowl & let sit at room temp for 10 minutes
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 1/2 avocados, mashed
1/3 cup jarred salsa
1 large tomato, seeded and diced
1 cup romaine lettuce, shredded
1 cup 2% milk Mexican shredded cheese Directions:
1. In a medium bowl mix together refried beans, chili powder, cumin and garlic powder.
2. Spread the refried beans evenly on a medium serving platter. Layer the mashed avocados evenly over beans.
3. Spread the salsa evenly over top of avocado. Top with tomatoes, shredded lettuce and shredded cheese on top.
4. Serve dip with your choice of baked tortilla chips.
Recipe from American Diabetes Association

Creamy Chicken Apple Salad
Servings: 8
Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chicken breast, chopped
2 stalks celery, diced
2 green onions, chopped
1 medium apple, finely diced
3 tablespoons walnuts, chopped
1/4 cup light mayonnaise
1/4 cup plain, fat-free yogurt
1/2 lemon, juiced
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper Directions:
1. In a medium bowl, combine chicken, celery, green onions, apples, and walnuts.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, yogurt, lemon, and pepper. Pour over the chicken mixture and gently stir to coat.
3. Serve salad over your choice of lettuce leaves, bread, or crackers.
Recipe from American Diabetes Association

Trail Mix
Serves 16
Ingredients:
3cups multi-grain Chex
3 cups cheerios
2/3 cup raisin
2-2/3 cup of pretzels
2/3 cup finely chopped almonds, walnuts, or pistachios Directions:
Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl.

Recipe from USDA

So now it’s time to take these recipes and make some swaps at your tailgate! By making small changes such as swapping Michelob Ultra for Budweiser or trail mix for potato chips you can not only save calories but also have more energy for the big game.

Instead of: 3 Glazed BBQ Chicken Wings
181 kcal, 11 g fat, 3 g carb, 17 g Pro, 529 mg sodium

Choose: 1/2 cup of Creamy Chicken Apple Salad*
115 kcal, 5 g fat, 6 g carb, 12 g Pro, 115 mg sodium

Instead of: Budweiser (12 oz)
146 kcal, 0 g fat, 11 g carb, 1g pro, 11 mg sodium

Choose: Michelob Ultra (12 oz)
96 kcal, 0 g fat, 2.6 g carb, 0.6 g pro, 11 mg sodium

Instead of: 1.5 oz bag of Barbecue Flavored Potato Chips
206 kcal, 13 g fat, 24 g carb, 2.7 g pro, 251 mg sodium

Choose: 1.5 oz of Trail Mix
196 kcal, 12.5 g fat, 19 g carb, 6 g pro, 4 mg sodium

Instead of 1/2 cup of Salsa con Queso
179 kcal, 12 g fat, 14 g carb, 4 g pro, 995 mg sodium

Choose: 1/2 cup of Salsa
60 kcal, 2 g fat, 8 g carb, 0 g pro, 920 mg sodium

USDA National Nutrient Database
*Nutrient analysis from American Diabetes Association