How to Tailgate This NFL Season Without Going Offside

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Pre-Game Eats

We know there’s an endless supply of unhealthy food available to you on Sunday mornings at the tailgate, but you can’t have it all. Learn how to walk that tightrope of what—and what not—to have. Avoid a 15-yard penalty to your diet while tailgating this NFL season with these recipes.

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Nachos

Keep your midsection from reaching lineman-size status by benching your unhealthy pre-game nachos platter that’s overflowing with fixings like mounds of bacon bits, gobs of sour cream, layers of cheese, and pounds of ground beef. Instead, sub in this delicious and easy-to-make nacho stick recipe, featuring tasty and affordable products from Albertsons & Safeway’s exclusive brand, O Organics, that uses USDA-certified organic chips and string cheese, dipped in a low calorie salsa for a flavor touchdown. It only takes 15 minutes to prep and serve, and can help prevent your belly from encroaching over your waistband. If you dip your sticks in guac, keep your portions under control.

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Ribs

Often high in fat and calories, those stats inflate even more when the ribs are smothered in a sugary sauce. Pull a Tom Brady and deflate the macros with baby back pork ribs for a leaner option, and prepare with a low-salt spice rub like Spiceologist’s Cowboy Crust. Keep sauces on the side, and stick to two to three ribs max.SEE ALSO: Championship Spareribs Recipe With Sweet Apple Bbq Sauce

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Chicken Wings

Call an audible on the sauce and season with salt, pepper, and oil, and then toss ’em on the grill. Finish by brushing with hot sauce or honey mustard. If you’re diehard about having sauce, remember that a little goes a long way, and keep to varieties lower in sugar and salt—like Dinosaur Bar-B-Cue’s Sensuous Slathering Sauce or Jule’s Gourmet Foods Jamaican Jerk Sauce.SEE ALSO: Wing It: Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce Recipe

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Corn on the Cob

It’s often served pre-doused with butter and salt. Don’t fumble with your sides.SEE ALSO: Corn For Your Carbs

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Sausage

Score big by subbing in chicken sausage to save on calories and fat. Maximize flavor with Bilinski’s organic sausages, which come in flavors such as hot Italian, sweet apple, and kale balsamic.SEE ALSO: Sausage & Pepper Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe

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Salad

They’re as rare at tailgates as Johnny Manziel is under center these days, so when salad is on the menu consider it a touchdown! Fill up half your plate with salad or any type of nonstarchy vegetables, such as broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes. Drizzle a noncreamy or Greek yogurt-based dressing atop the roughage. Avoid toppings like candied nuts and bacon bits, and use cheese sparingly.SEE ALSO: 10-Minute Muscle Meal: Chipotle Bean Salad Recipe

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Drinks

Mix booze with sparkling waters and seltzers, and add fresh fruit and herbs for lower-calorie mixed drinks. Try to abstain from beer, if possible. However, if beer gets the nod stick with light ones or low-alcohol craft beers. Aim to down a glass of water in-between each brew. To ensure you have some H2O on hand, consider investing in a durable water bottle or turn to bottled water, such as AQUAhydrate, which can help balance hydration levels and replenish electrolytes twice as fast as tap water.

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Pre-Game Eats

We know there’s an endless supply of unhealthy food available to you on Sunday mornings at the tailgate, but you can’t have it all. Learn how to walk that tightrope of what—and what not—to have. Avoid a 15-yard penalty to your diet while tailgating this NFL season with these recipes.

Nachos

Keep your midsection from reaching lineman-size status by benching your unhealthy pre-game nachos platter that’s overflowing with fixings like mounds of bacon bits, gobs of sour cream, layers of cheese, and pounds of ground beef. Instead, sub in this delicious and easy-to-make nacho stick recipe, featuring tasty and affordable products from Albertsons & Safeway’s exclusive brand, O Organics, that uses USDA-certified organic chips and string cheese, dipped in a low calorie salsa for a flavor touchdown. It only takes 15 minutes to prep and serve, and can help prevent your belly from encroaching over your waistband. If you dip your sticks in guac, keep your portions under control.

Ribs

Often high in fat and calories, those stats inflate even more when the ribs are smothered in a sugary sauce. Pull a Tom Brady and deflate the macros with baby back pork ribs for a leaner option, and prepare with a low-salt spice rub like Spiceologist’s Cowboy Crust. Keep sauces on the side, and stick to two to three ribs max.

SEE ALSO: Championship Spareribs Recipe With Sweet Apple Bbq Sauce

Chicken Wings

Call an audible on the sauce and season with salt, pepper, and oil, and then toss ’em on the grill. Finish by brushing with hot sauce or honey mustard. If you’re diehard about having sauce, remember that a little goes a long way, and keep to varieties lower in sugar and salt—like Dinosaur Bar-B-Cue’s Sensuous Slathering Sauce or Jule’s Gourmet Foods Jamaican Jerk Sauce.

SEE ALSO: Wing It: Spicy Thai Peanut Sauce Recipe

Corn on the Cob

It’s often served pre-doused with butter and salt. Don’t fumble with your sides.

SEE ALSO: Corn For Your Carbs

Sausage

Score big by subbing in chicken sausage to save on calories and fat. Maximize flavor with Bilinski’s organic sausages, which come in flavors such as hot Italian, sweet apple, and kale balsamic.

SEE ALSO: Sausage & Pepper Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe

Salad

They’re as rare at tailgates as Johnny Manziel is under center these days, so when salad is on the menu consider it a touchdown! Fill up half your plate with salad or any type of nonstarchy vegetables, such as broccoli, cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes. Drizzle a noncreamy or Greek yogurt-based dressing atop the roughage. Avoid toppings like candied nuts and bacon bits, and use cheese sparingly.

SEE ALSO: 10-Minute Muscle Meal: Chipotle Bean Salad Recipe

Drinks

Mix booze with sparkling waters and seltzers, and add fresh fruit and herbs for lower-calorie mixed drinks. Try to abstain from beer, if possible. However, if beer gets the nod stick with light ones or low-alcohol craft beers. Aim to down a glass of water in-between each brew. To ensure you have some H2O on hand, consider investing in a durable water bottle or turn to bottled water, such as AQUAhydrate, which can help balance hydration levels and replenish electrolytes twice as fast as tap water.