It’s that time of year again. Groundhog Day.

And, oh yes. The “Big Game.” A football game that is watched by more than 100 million fans around the world. Fans gather far and wide to watch their favorite teams play, while as spectators, many of us will consume way too many calories from football party food and drinks.

You probably know the drill. It happens every year: a fun-filled sports event marked by a day of mindlessly noshing way too much, with eyes glued to a big screen TV.

In previous Splenda Living blogs about this major sporting event, we’ve offered up ways to not ruin the healthy lifestyle promise you made to yourself on January 1. Let me repeat this wise advice from fellow blogger Robyn Flipse, R.D., who provided these tips:

“One way to save calories you’ll never miss is by preparing your party foods using low calorie ingredients, like Splenda Sweeteners instead of sugar, Neufchatel cheese instead of cream cheese, and reduced fat sour cream instead of regular. Best of all, these simple substitutions can lower the excess saturated fat and added sugar content of many recipes in addition to lowering the calories, and that’s good for everyone.”

You can easily game-plan ahead for football munchies that won’t draw a red flag on your health-focused New Year’s resolutions. Here are some of my favorite recipes that call for less sugar that you may want to try. All are made using Splenda Sweeteners.

We hope you enjoy these smart plays for football party food recipes as well as the Big Game…and may the best team win. But before I sign off, let me leave you with a quote from legendary coach Tom Landry. It not only applies to football but to all goals we set in our lives, including the importance of making 2018 the year you succeed at making healthier choices.

“Setting a goal is not the main thing. It is deciding how you will go about achieving it and staying with that plan.” — Tom Landry

Sweet Chipotle Dip Recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 13 (1 oz. per serving)

Ingredients:

1 cup lowfat sour cream
1/2 cup lowfat mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Splenda Sugar Blend
1 tablespoon canned chipotles in adobo sauce, chopped
1 tablespoon adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions:

Place all ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl.
Stir to combine.
Cover and chill for 1 hour before serving; refrigerate for up to 1 week.
Serve with low fat chips or veggies made for dipping.
Beef Chili RecipeBeef Chili Recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 12

Ingredients:

2 pounds stew beef, cubed into bite sized pieces
1 large sweet onion
2 jalapenos, seeded and minced
1/2 (4 fluid ounce) bottle mesquite flavored liquid smoke
2 heads garlic, minced
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes with jalapenos
2 (15 ounce) cans chili flavored beans with jalapenos
1 (14.5 ounce) can red kidney beans
1 (14.5 ounce) can tomato sauce with garlic and onions
1/2 cup Splenda Brown Sugar Blend
1 dash hot pepper sauce, to taste

Directions:

Combine beef, onions, jalapenos, liquid smoke and garlic in a slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6 hours.
After 6 hours, add the tomatoes, chili beans, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and Splenda Sweetener. Add hot pepper sauce if desired.
Cook for an additional 2 hours.
Taste the chili after 2 hours to determine the need for additional Splenda Sweetener or hot pepper sauce.
Garnish with diced jalapenos, chopped and shredded onions, and cheese if desired.

Oven Glazed Chicken Wings Recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 3 (5 oz. per serving)

Ingredients:

3 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
1/4 cup hot sauce
1/4 cup tomato paste
3 tablespoons Splenda Naturals Sugar and Stevia Sweetener Blend
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 pounds chicken wings, cut into three pieces, discard tips
Directions:

In a medium-sized saucepan, melt butter with garlic and simmer for 1 minute.
Add the rest of the ingredients (except chicken) and bring to a simmer, and then cool.
In a medium-sized mixing bowl, add the chicken wings and sauce, and stir to coat.
Spray a baking sheet with vegetable spray.
Place chicken wings on baking sheet in a single layer.
Bake for 30 minutes in preheated oven, or until juices run clear.
Serve hot.

Korean BBQ Snack Mix Recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 6

Ingredients:

2 cups pretzel thins
1 cup rice crackers
1 cup rice or corn cereal
1/2 cup wasabi peas
1 tablespoon Gochujang (red pepper paste)
2 teaspoons miso paste
4 squeezes SPLENDA ZERO™ Liquid Sweetener
2 tablespoons light soy sauce
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1/4 – 1/2 small apple, grated
1/4 small onion, grated
1/2 inch piece fresh ginger, grated
fresh ground black pepper
Directions:

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Mix together the first four ingredients in a big bowl and set aside. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the rest of the ingredients and pour over the snack mix. Vigorously mix until everything is evenly coated.
Spray a large parchment covered sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray. Pour out snack mix onto the sheet tray and spread it out evenly. Place into a 350° F oven for about 15-20 minutes stirring once during baking. Cook until snack mix is browned and crunchy.
Let cool and pour into a bowl for serving. Garnish with a little chopped scallion and sesame seeds if desired. Optional add-in: popcorn.
For an alternative to the Korean BBQ Snack Mix, and with only 2 grams of sugar per serving, try this sweet and spicy snack mix recipe. I’m sure it will be one of the more popular football party food delights you offer to your fellow football fans! Touchdown!

I have been compensated for my time by Heartland Food Products Group, the maker of Splenda Sweetener Products. All statements and opinions are my own. I have pledged to Blog with Integrity, asserting that the trust of my readers and the blogging community is vitally important to me.

Written by Sue Taylor, MS.

Sue is a consulting nutritionist with more than 35 years of experience. She is passionate about sharing her nutrition knowledge and fondness for good, healthy food. Sue will put relevant information in consumer terms and provide valuable perspective to clear up misinformation and confusion about nutrition and food safety.