The selection for the 2022 men’s NCAA tournament for March Madness starts this weekend! As you’re gearing up to watch the games, check out our list below for some healthy snack recipes to have on hand. With these healthy and delicious recipes, you can satisfy your game-watching cravings without loading up on extra salt, sugar, and calories.
Oven-Roasted Chickpeas
Image credit: Love and Lemons
Craving a crunchy snack to munch on mindlessly during the game? Try oven-roasted chickpeas! This vegan-friendly snack offers the ultimate hearty, crunchy, and salty treat. Plus, you can season them with your favorite spices like paprika, chili, or curry powder for a blast of flavor.
They’re super easy to make… All you have to do is season them with some olive oil and spices and pop them in the oven. And if you have leftovers, they make a great topping on salads or Mediterranean bowls.
Check out this Crispy Roasted Chickpea recipe here.
Crispy Veggie Chips
Image credit: Wholefully
Who said veggies have to be boring?! Cut up and roast some of your favorite veggies in the oven. You’ll have a healthy version of the store-bought salty potato chip in no time! It’s the perfect crunchy snack for game night—minus the guilt!
All you have to do is drizzle avocado oil or another heathy oil and sea salt on some chopped veggies, pop them in the oven, and enjoy. And this recipe works on all kinds of veggies whether you’re into sweet potatoes, beets, yellow squash, zucchini, parsnips, potatoes, or something else.
Check out this Crispy Baked Vegetable Chips recipe here.
Veggies and Hummus
Who doesn’t love a good hummus dip? Loaded with flavor and protein, hummus is a deliciously healthy dip option. It also makes the perfect substitute for ranch dressing or high-fat cheesy five-layer dips.
Add in some juicy and crunchy veggies like carrots, red bell peppers, celery, tomatoes, and broccoli and you’ve got yourself a colorful spread that’s perfect for game night. You can even match your veggies with your team colors so your snacks match your March Madness spirit!
Did you know that veggies and chickpeas are high in fiber? Learn more about the benefits of fiber for your diet.
Homemade Guacamole
Image credit: Gimme Some Oven
Instead of buying store-bought guacamole, which is often loaded with extra sodium, try making your own at home with this easy recipe. And holy guacamole, this recipe is delicious! It features fresh and tasty ingredients like avocados, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, ground cumin, diced tomatoes, sea salt, and lime juice.
Avocados—one of our top 10 favorite superfoods!—are a great choice because they’re high in protein and healthy fats. So they’ll keep you feeling satisfied all game long without loading up on too many snacks. Want to make it even healthier? Swap your chips for a whole grain option or try colorful veggies instead!
Check out this quick and easy guacamole recipe.
Mini Zucchini Pizzas
Image credit: Taste of Home
Instead of ordering out pizza for game night, try making your own guilt-free pizza right at home using tasty and healthy zucchini instead! This low-carb recipe helps you skip the extra calories while still enjoying the cheesy delicious flavor of a slice of pizza. Plus, when you make it at home you can add on all the toppings you’re craving like pepperoni slices, olives, veggies, fresh basil, and more!
Check out this Mini Zucchini Pizza recipe here.
Buffalo Cauliflower Wings
Image credit: Wholesome Yum
Buffalo wings are the ultimate game-day food! But, unfortunately, they’re high in saturated fats, sodium, and calories which make them an unhealthy choice. Instead, swap out your fatty meats for cauliflower, a low-calorie vegetable that soaks in all the delicious buffalo flavor. The result is a healthy, fried treat that’ll satisfy your game-day cravings. Plus, this recipe is paleo and keto-friendly!
Check out this healthy Buffalo Cauliflower Wing recipe here.
Protein Balls
Image source: 310 Nutrition
Run with the basketball theme and whip up some protein balls using your favorite meal replacement shake. All you need is four ingredients and ten minutes to make a healthy, tasty, and crowd-pleasing game-day snack!
This recipe features Organic 310 Shake, rolled oats, peanut or almond butter, and maple syrup. Try adding chocolate chips or coconut flakes for an extra sweet treat! Because it’s high in protein you’ll satisfy your sweet cravings in no time with far fewer calories.
Check out this protein-packed Protein Ball Recipe here.
Sweet Potato Fries
Image credit: Heart Naptime
Looking to enjoy a side of fries while watching the game? Try sweet potato fries instead! Sweet potatoes are incredibly high in nutrients like fiber, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B6, and more. Plus they’re hearty, tasty, and crunchy—making them the perfect munch-worthy healthy snack for watching the game.
And there are so many ways to make them! If you’re looking for a sweet treat try flavoring them with oil and cinnamon sugar. Or if you’re looking for that classic fry flavor try oil, salt, pepper, and garlic powder instead. In this recipe, they offer recommendations for classic and sweet variations plus spicy, rosemary, and Italian so you can whip up the perfect flavor to match your cravings.
Check out this Baked Sweet Potato Fries recipe here.
Popcorn
No need for a recipe with this one! Popcorn is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a quick, easy, and low-calorie snack to munch on throughout the game. Not only is popcorn low-calorie, but it’s also high in fiber—an essential carbohydrate that your body needs more of!
Look for low-salt and no-butter options when shopping to make this the ultimate healthy game-day snack. And if your popcorn needs an extra kick, try adding nutritional yeast. It’s a healthy and vegan alternative that tastes just like cheese!
Nuts and Seeds
For another quick and easy game-day snack option, all you have to do is pour your favorite nuts or seeds into a bowl and call it a day! Some of our favorites are almonds, cashews, pecans, pumpkin seeds, and hazelnuts. If you’re feeling extra creative, add ingredients like coconut flakes, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to make your own homemade trail mix. Or go for nut butter instead and lather it onto some fresh fruit or whole-grain crackers.
Not only are nuts and seeds super easy to snack on but they’re loaded with healthy monounsaturated fats, one of the three major macronutrients you need in your diet. But before you buy make sure to check the sodium content on the back label and opt for the low-sodium options whenever you can.
Watching the game at a friend’s place and not able to whip up these healthy snack alternatives? Enjoy a healthy diet shake before you go so you’re less likely to over-indulge on all the tempting treats once you arrive. And head to our blog for even more recipes, health, and weight loss tips!
