Paleoista Tips for a Healthier Superbowl Party

While I’m not trying to convince all the die-hard fans that they should watch the game while enjoying a nice fresh platter of celery sticks, although I must confess, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that, per se, there are plenty of other options of dishes to offer, even if it’s in addition to the traditional, not so healthy fare.

• Crudite platter:  Yes, you’ve been there and done that, but it’s likely one of the easiest things to prep and serve.  Offer a variety of veggie and dips. My faves include blanched broccoli and cauliflower florets, baby carrots and multicolored sliced bell peppers along with homemade guacamole,  chopped-tomato salsa or a simple blend of garlic, olive oil, fresh basil and some roasted walnuts, whizzed in your food processor.

• Sneak in the veggies.   This might be a great time for that special occasion uncured, pastured bacon.  Wrap that around asparagus and pan sear, or scatter on top of Brussels sprouts and don’t be surprised if even the biggest veggie hater changes his or her ways!

• Fruit plate: Freshly washed red and green grapes, sliced apples, tossed them in lemon to prevent the browning/oxidation that occurs otherwise, finished with a sprinkle of cinnamon and whole strawberries are easy to serve and won’t be as messy when eaten with your fingers as some other fruits may be.

• Raw Nuts Mix: together organic walnuts, pecans and some Brazil nuts and offer as a healthier option than roasted-in-oil, peanut mixes in a can you’ll find at the store.

• “Charcuterie Platter” Roast a bone-in, skin-on turkey breast, broil some grass-fed flank and braise some pastured pork, then present on a platter in lieu of those high-in-nitrates meats like salami, prosciutto di parma and smoked ham you may have traditionally served.

• If you feel like you’ve gotta have that ‘crunch’ you really don’t have to default to potato chips.  Try slicing and baking eggplant.  It sounds funny, I know, but if you slice it thin and broil it while continuously turning it, it dries out and crisps up nicely and acts as a great substitute for a cracker!

• Offer a wide variety of beverages including flat water, sparkling water, ‘spa water’, made  ahead of time by simply slicing lemon, lime, cucumber and kiwi and adding a few pieces of each to a pitcher of filtered water, as well as chilled green tea.   Even those who are partaking of the alcoholic drinks will thank you later for at least keeping them from getting quite as dehydrated as they otherwise would’ve!

• Looking for a healthier, version of chili?  Click here for some tips to revise your favorite recipe, Paleo style, and click here for my recipe for a venison & bison chili.

While there’s no pretending that your frat buddies from college or your colleagues from work would be thrilled to come to your home and find nothing but steamed kale on the menu for game-day,  if you’ve at least got some healthy alternatives that actually taste good, you won’t feel like you’re missing out on anything!