March Madness Snacks Get Healthy: Fresh Talk

No Comments | Written on March 22, 2012 at 5:00 pm, by Kristin Porter

The constant sounds of swishing hoops and blowing whistles coming from my TV can only mean one thing—March Madness is here!

This year I’m skipping the greasy wings and slices of pizza while tracking my bracket, and opting for these healthy and satisfying game-day recipes instead.

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes

The phrase big things come in small packages best describes flavor-packed Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes (shown here), which are perfect to pop while waiting for tip-off. Blend together a quick, homemade pesto using fresh basil, parsley, pine nuts, garlic, and olive oil, then fold in softened goat cheese, and pipe into hollowed out cherry tomatoes. The olive-oil-and-basil-based pesto gives each bite a nutritional boost, while rich and satisfying goat cheese is lower in fat, calories, and cholesterol than cream cheese.

Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks

Fried foods are tempting to nosh on while watching teams pass, shoot, swish, and repeat. Get the same crunch without the crummy feelings afterward by baking a tray of Oven-Fried Zucchini Sticks to snack on at halftime. Fresh zucchini sticks are dipped in egg whites, coated in a whole-wheat and all-purpose flour blend mixed with cornmeal, and then baked. The result is a crispy-crunchy snack that’s both low in calories, and counts as a serving of vegetables!

Guacamole

When I think of game day recipes that are both healthy and delicious, Guacamole immediately comes to mind. Buttery avocados mashed with fresh cilantro, onion, tomatoes, and lime juice is not only satisfying but has real nutritional benefits too. Avocados are high in monounsaturated fat, which helps lower bad cholesterol levels, and are a good source of potassium, which helps regulate blood pressure. Visit my Fresh Talk: Avocado post for tips on how to pick the perfect avocado, and serve the guacamole with homemade pita chips as a healthier alternative to tortilla chips.

Want More March Madness Ideas? Check out:

March Madness Chow: Chicken Wings

March Madness Chow: Chili Your Way