Tailgating is a seasonal ritual tied to certain "football" foods that everyone expects to be on the menu. But keeping some healthy foods in your playbook may introduce some new winning traditions! Here are some ideas:

• Make wraps or hoagies with turkey, lean beef or ham, or a veggie combination. Try whole grain or specialty wraps like spinach or tomato. Use reduced-fat mayo or put the condiments on the side.
• Grill healthier with lean meats or ribs that have been precooked in the oven to remove some of the fat. Flank or flatiron steaks, chicken, pork tenderloin, lean burgers and even grill-friendly fish like salmon are also excellent cookout options. If hot dogs or sausages are on the menu, check the labels for leaner choices with less sodium.
• Add grilled veggies for flavor, color and nutritious variety. Red, green or yellow peppers, onions, white or sweet potato chunks, zucchini, mushrooms, eggplant, corn and tomatoes are all good choices for the grill. Brush with olive oil and add to kabobs or place on a piece of foil.
• Go with kabobs made with meats and veggies. Firm fish, chicken, turkey, beef, pork, lean ham and lamb are all great with alternating vegetable or fruit chunks.
• Use lean beef, turkey or tofu for your chili.
• Need a quick meal? Pick up some rotisserie chickens from Giant Eagle^® (just $4.99 each!) and add salad, salsa, sushi and chips and you have an instant tailgate spread!
• Go wild with salads made from tossed greens with nuts or fruit added, or for a change of pace, grain- or lean-based salads. Try quinoa, bulgur, corn and black bean salad or tomatoes with fresh basil and Mozzarella! Remember lower fat salad dressings or some salad spritzers.
• Sneak some lower fat options on your cheese tray, or alternate with fruit for kabobs.
• Include salsa, low-fat dips, hummus, raw veggies, whole grain chips and crackers — always good choices. For meat eaters, turkey pepperoni or lean deli meats wrapped around veggies like steamed asparagus give a healthy spin to gameday munchies.
• Keep fruit on the menu. Bananas, pineapple, peaches and plums all take on added flavor when grilled. Grapes, chunks of melon and berries are great with cheese as a snack or dessert.
• Remember to have soda water (for spritzers), wedges of fresh lemon and lime, bottled or sugar-free flavored waters, iced tea and decaf coffee to add to the healthy meal profile. For the children, add single portion 100% juice or shelf-stable milk.

Have a question for Judy about this article or would like more healthy tailgating options and recipes? Send her an e-mail at nutritionist@GiantEagle.com.

September 2009