A half-dozen ways to cut back on the salt without sacrificing flavor.
Key Takeaways:
- Game days usually mean bingeing on junk food or fatty, high-sodium snacks
- High sodium intake is associated with an increased risk of hypertension and cardiovascular disease
- Many healthier alternatives are available for all dietary tastes
Superbowl Sunday is the second largest “food day” in the U.S. But unlike Thanksgiving, when most families sit down to a homemade meal, one in every seven Americans orders takeout for the big game. And they aren’t ordering salads. During the Super Bowl, Americans consume roughly 1.25 billion chicken wings, 12.5 million pizzas, and 11.2 million pounds of potato chips.
That’s a mountain of sodium, which is a really bad idea because consuming more sodium than your body needs has been linked to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and stroke. The recommended daily sodium intake for adults is 2,300 mg, which is the equivalent of one teaspoon of salt. But 90% of us consume close to 3,400 mg daily, about 50% more sodium than our bodies need. And that’s on an average day. On game day, that number pushes even higher.
6 tasty and filling low-sodium snacks for the football season
Of course, no one wants to completely give up game-day snacking. Snacks help us to get through the butterflies that come when the game’s on the line. When we’re anxious, chewing helps to distract our minds. And when our team scores, snacks are the hallmark of celebration.
But that doesn’t mean that you need to let your game-day sodium intake get out of hand. Instead, make this football season different by trying out healthier snack options. You’ll need to put in a little extra effort to prepare them yourself, but it’s not as difficult as you might think.
Here are six simple DIY snack recipes to enjoy during the game. What’s unique about the list is that all the snacks are low in sodium. But that doesn’t mean they’re bland. We’ve gone out of our way to combine different textures and flavors to ensure that your taste buds are adequately stimulated.
Let’s dive in.
1. Parmesan and lemon popcorn
Remember those 11.2 pounds of potato chips? Try swapping them out for healthier popcorn. Then ditch the saltshaker and flavor your popcorn with freshly squeezed lemon juice and some parmesan cheese.
2. Cucumber slices with avocado dip
Cucumber slices are a good way to kill boredom during halftime. Mash fresh avocado and add some Greek yogurt for a tasty dip.
3. Hard-boiled eggs with black pepper
Hard-boiled eggs take just a few minutes to prepare. Then peel the eggs, slice them into ovals, and sprinkle with a dash of black pepper instead of salt for a low-sodium snack that’s both tasty and filling.
4. Chickpea and tomato salad
This recipe works best if you roast the chickpeas in advance. Dice some tomatoes and toss them with the chickpeas. You can also add bell peppers for more color. Enjoy this snack as you celebrate small and big wins.
5. Saltless crackers with cream cheese dip
This is the ideal savory snack for passing time during “one of those games.” You can add some bell peppers to the dip for more flavor and color. You will be surprised at how much you enjoy both the crackers and the game.
6. Homemade granola bars
Granola bars are not only tasty, but they also fill you up quickly, so you eat less – which is better for your waistline. To make these homemade bars, you’ll need a mixture of your favorite nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and chocolate chips. Pour them into a bowl, top with honey, and mix. Spread on a pan and bake in the oven at 350°F for about 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and cut into squares. Now you’re ready for game night!
The easy-to-prepare snacks listed above are all lower in sodium than your typical game-day junk food. Try adding your favorite herbs and spices to spruce up the flavor even more.
Useful tips to reduce your game-day sodium intake
In addition to the six low-sodium treats listed above, try these simple tips for healthier game-day snacking.
- Have a snack plan (similar to a meal plan) for the entire season
- Prepare your snacks in bulk and store them. A week is good enough. This will eliminate the need to order-in salty takeout.
- Purge your house of all high-sodium snacks. This will force you to make healthier alternatives and help you form a habit of healthy snacking
- Ditch your hunger pangs by eating regular meals on time. When you’re hungry, you’re more likely to munch on anything you come across.
- Reward yourself for sticking to your low sodium snacking schedule
Or just binge on flavorful Salt Me®! Potato Chips
Salt Me®! Potato Chips are flavored with MicroSalt® particles that offer double the flavor of regular salt but contain 50% less sodium. This means that Salt Me®! Potato Chips are even more flavorful than your regular salted snacks. But the best part is that they contain just the right amount of sodium.
How is that even possible?
MicroSalt® crystals are made from 100% natural salt and have the same taste as regular salt. The particles are 100 times smaller and have great adhesion properties, ensuring that you get a full burst of flavor instantly.
Contact MicroSalt® today
The MicroSalt® team is striving to create a new food industry norm where good health doesn’t come second to great taste. MicroSalt® are proud global winners of the P&G Alumni Network’s 2021 Star Entrepreneur Award. We’d love to take part in making your product the best it can be. Simply contact us via our contact page, connect with one of our international offices, or call 1 (877) 825-0655 to learn more.
