The irony of Super Bowl Sunday is watching a bunch of athletes work their tails off while sitting idly on the couch, stuffing our faces with some of the most indulgent food creations known to man.
Luckily, there’s an alternative! We’re here to show you how to incorporate some of the most nutritious superfoods into a “super bowl” that can be enjoyed on Super Bowl Sunday or anytime! Read below for delicious ingredient pairings and highlighted superfoods.
1. “Pizza” bowl
Tomato bruschetta topping (tomatoes, red pepper, garlic, basil, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, sea salt and pepper), goat cheese, lentils, walnuts.
Lentils – A cup of lentils provides nearly the entire daily requirement of folate – which is important for the health of your nervous system. They’re also fiber- and protein-packed.
Tomatoes – are loaded with nutrients including antioxidants, vitamin C, lycopene, beta-carotene, that may help to prevent certain types of cancer.
Walnuts – may reduce the risk of breast cancer because they contain high quality antioxidants and phytosterols and they could help us to reduce stress by lowering our resting and stress-induced blood pressure levels.
2. Thai-infused cocktail meatball bowl
Carrots, cucumber, cilantro, peanuts, turkey meatballs or meatless meatballs, rice noodles.
Carrots – are a great source of beta carotene, fiber and antioxidants, carrots are also known to help reduce cholesterol levels.
Cucumber – is known to reduce inflammation and it contains fisetin, an anti-inflammatory flavonol that’s being linked to brain health and helping to reduce age-related brain decline.
Cilantro – Benefits of cilantro are still being researched – including cilantro’s ability to cleanse us of toxic metals, prevent cardiovascular damage, reduce anxiety and more.
3. 7 layer dip bowl
Black beans, Greek yogurt, fresh salsa, red bell pepper, greens of your choice (lettuce, spinach, kale), green onions, nutritional yeast, olives, fresh lime juice, garlic, onion and taco seasoning (cumin, paprika, sea salt, pepper, oregano, crushed red pepper flakes, chili powder).
Greek yogurt – a great way to sneak protein into your diet without eating meat. Protein is important for cell and tissue growth and repair.
Black beans – can help us prevent overeating and weight gain because of their high water and fiber content. They can be a good meat substitute because we digest them more slowly, and feel satiated longer.
Red bell pepper – contains Vitamin C, phytochemicals and carotenoids, particularly beta-carotene, which offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
4. Buffalo bowl
Roasted cauliflower, avocado, corn, quinoa, celery, greens of your choice – for the buffalo sauce, skip the butter and opt for olive oil.
Avocado – Pair it with loads of other vitamin-rich veggies to help you absorb all the vitamins. They can also boost your eye health because they contain the phytonutrients lutein and zeaxanthin.
Cauliflower – this veggie is packed with glucosinolates, sulfur-containing compounds that have a detoxifying effect on our bodies.
Quinoa – If you don’t eat meat, quinoa can be an important protein source. It also provides a double-dose of fiber which is important for keeping the digestive system in working order and reducing high blood pressure.
5. Smoothie bowl
Strawberry/banana smoothie bowl with blueberries, shredded coconut (no sugar added variety), chia seeds, pomegranate seeds.
Blueberries – Did you know that blueberries can help you to have healthy bones? That’s because they contain iron, phosphorous, calcium, magnesium, manganese, zinc and vitamin K, all helping to make our bones strong and healthy.
Pomegranate – According to Shape Magazine, the seeds from one pomegranate contain 40% of your daily vitamin C needs – which as you probably know, supports a strong immune system and keeps us healthy.
Chia seeds – Packed with dietary fiber and omega 3 fatty acids, chia seeds are being studied for its ability to improve blood pressure in diabetics.
