14 healthy ‘big game’ snacks

Whether you’re hosting a party for the big game, or just trying to keep the family from pigging out on pizza and potato chips, these 14 healthy snacks are perfect alternatives for the traditional junk food we reach reach for during commercial breaks.

Slow cooker sweet and spicy nuts
One snack that’s particularly popular with the teenage brood at my house is Slow Cooker Sweet And Spicy Nuts. It’s really simple to make, too.

Trail Mix
Just dump a bunch of ingredients into a large bowl, toss and then sit around the TV for a healthy, grab-and-go snack.

Spicy toasted almonds
When the game is on, we tend to snack rather than eat meals. That’s not a bad thing as long as you stick to healthy snacks. Here’s a recipe for one of my favorite snacks.

Slow Cooker Boiled Peanuts
Having grown up in Georgia, I am a huge fan of peanuts — especially boiled peanuts. Until recently, I had not tried to make them myself. But when I found out you could make them in a slow cooker, I decided I had to fix a batch. They turned out great, so I’ll be making this recipe for bowl game snacking.

Baked Banana Chips With Honey
My family likes bananas just as they are, but who doesn’t like variety? Here’s a healthy banana snack to mix things up a bit.

Spicy Marinated Olives
I love olives, and I’ve found several Greek-style recipes that we enjoy. Here’s one of my favorites!

Spinach Balls
Here’s a recipe I have been making since I was a kid myself. I’ve made them ever since — for parties, potlucks, friends and family. My children love this appetizer so much that I have to make a double batch.

White bean dip
Dip makes me happy, it’s almost as if the very act of dunking food into dip soothes my soul. Luckily, there are lots of healthy dip options. Salsa is one. Hummus is another. And bean dip is yet another. This is my go-to dip this time of year…

Easy Healthy Guacamole
Recently, The New York Times caused quite a ruckus when it recommended adding peas to guacamole. When I make guacamole, I use a simple, healthy recipe.

Celery sticks with hummus and olives
We almost always have hummus in our refrigerator. (Here’s my go-to recipe for hummus.) Chickpeas, which are low-fat, high-fiber, vitamin- and mineral-rich legumes, are the main ingredient in hummus. Regularly consuming chickpeas can help with weight management, boost gut health and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Cowboy caviar
The first time I had this dish, it was served with corn chips for dipping but I prefer to eat it on top of greens these days, more like a fiesta salad.

Bacon-wrapped pineapple bites
I fixed Bacon-Wrapped Pineapple Bites. They were a big hit with all the kids, especially the boys. And I felt good about feeding them a healthy snack.

Bacon-wrapped shrimp with jalapeno
I’m always looking for recipes to add to my family’s repertoire. I did some searching on the Internet and pieced together a bacon-wrapped shrimp with jalapeno recipe. It was a hit. Don’t let the jalapenos scare you away.

Healthy Deviled Eggs
I love deviled eggs, which are usually made with gobs of mayonnaise — so tasty, but so bad for you. Luckily, I found a couple of recipes that are both healthy and delicious.