From Court to Kitchen: March Madness-Inspired Healthy Snack Recipes
Our hearts are longing for the upcoming March Madness, which everyone eagerly awaits. Men and women will display their top college basketball coaches and students.
As we all know, the NCAA College Basketball Tournament begins on Selection Sunday. This is when, each year, the seeds and rankings for the “March Madness” knockout bracket and March Madness odds are finally announced.
Selection for the men’s tournament is set for Sunday, March 17, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. ET (3:00 p.m. PT) is scheduled.
The women’s tournament brackets will be announced at the tournament selection on Sunday, March 17, 2024, at 8:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. PT).
March Madness is fast approaching. Are you ready to watch the NCAA basketball tournament? Because cable won’t be the only thing you will need. As teams prepare and things heat up, you might be thinking of hosting a party for family and friends, or you might want to watch the game all by yourself. Either way, do not let your anxiety win.
After all, March Madness could be a great excuse to ingest high-fat junk food dose. Worry not; here are some light, healthy snack recipes to lighten your intake without feeling deprived if you substitute these easy foods.
Here are several March Madness-Inspired Healthy Snack Recipes that go excellent with beer and your celebration mood while cheering your former school.
Homemade Hummus
This year, forget the French onion or queso and try homemade hummus. After all, having chips and dip while watching the game is a must, right? Well, chickpeas are a great source of fiber, and as a bonus, they have a low glycemic index, so you will feel fuller faster.
You can reduce the salt content by creating your own hummus. Serve it with whole-wheat tortilla chips (limit it to 12 per serving) or toasted whole-grain pita.
Spicy Edamame
Looking for a healthier alternative to the salty, easily chewed, fried treats that can’t ever miss a good match? Soybeans or edamame are your new best friend. This natural source of vitamins and antioxidants is edamame.
Additionally, they are high in protein and have a low-fat content. When you go grocery shopping next time, make sure to grab some frozen edamame and boil it in water before the game. Then, you can add salt, chili powder, and red pepper flakes to a frying pan and season.
Baked Sweet Potato Fries
Two simple dishes can satisfy your craving for French fries without needing a frying pan. An orderly fry contains approximately 500 calories, 20 grams of fat, and 5 grams (0.3%) of carbohydrates, so fries are clearly not your best option.
What about if you try baking sweet potatoes this year instead of using normal potatoes? As they are rich in vitamin A, it only takes a few ingredients: sprinkle with salt, pepper, and olive oil, then bake them until they become crispy.
Homemade Guacamole
As with homemade hummus, homemade guacamole is a great alternative to dip cravings. It’s also quite easy to cook.
A good guacamole recipe is built around avocado. It offers monounsaturated fat, which is a healthier alternative. Besides, avocado is associated with mental and physical health improvements; isn’t that a bonus perk? Don’t underestimate this plant-based lipid, as its benefits go beyond. Avocado is also associated with lowering cholesterol and reducing heart disease risk.
Fiesta Corn Chip Salad
You will discover that friends and family always ask for this Frito corn salad! It’s really simple and delicious with almost any major dish. Potassium strengthens the immune system and protects against cardiovascular disease. You don’t have to look further since corn salad is abundant in potassium.
A tip, though: as Fritos become mushy after a few hours, you should only add them before serving.
Mini Pizza Cups
Your prayers regarding health may have found their answer in mini pizzas. These mini pizzas taste great, both hot and cold. Due to their modest size, they are perfect snacks for anxious, excited situations, such as March Madness.
Pizzas are also delicious and filling and provide an unexpected array of health benefits. They are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and proteins that make them ideally healthy. Their smaller size makes it easier to manage portions and helps with weight control.
Mediterranean Tomato Bites
These beautiful canapés are a delicious and juicy option, loaded with antioxidants, particularly lycopene. After all, tomatoes are such an important component of a balanced diet. Nothing can go wrong with this terrific snack.
Mix Trail
Want something somewhere between? Choosing trail mix can provide a more satisfying and nutritionally rich alternative to greasy potato chips.
If you want a sweet and salty snack, add 2 tablespoons of almonds, 1-3 cups lightly buttered popcorn, 2 teaspoons of dried fruit, and optionally some chocolate chips. With more omega-3 fats and fiber, you can maintain a healthier lifestyle while also getting more healthy fats.
