It’s game day and you know what that means, right?
Food, football, family and friends!
If you’re staying strong during the game and sticking to your 17 Day Diet plan, here are a few ideas for healthy snacks and meals this football season.
Try these healthy food ideas if you’re on Cycle 1– you’ll find ideas for Cycle 2 and 3 below:
All American Football Veggie Tray
Certain vegetables are a freebie on the 17 Day Diet. Try adding the following veggies to your platter this season:
Carrots
Celery
Cherry Tomatoes
Asparagus Spears cooked lightly in olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper- serve cold
Variety of Bell Peppers- the yellow, orange and red variety have wonderful sweet flavor!
Broccoli and Cauliflower
Sliced Cucumbers – or try mixing with a little olive oil, apple cider vinegar, sweetener, salt & pepper for a tasty salad
Mushrooms – try a South American Marinade: Olive Oil, Vinegar, Chili Powder, Cumin, Oregano, Sweetener, Salt & Pepper- let sit for a few hours, then grill. Serve cold.
Veggie Dip – Use a 1/2 packet of Ranch Dip Packet with a cup of non-fat plain yogurt. Makes a great zingy dip for your veggies.
Deviled Eggs – Use a traditional recipe but swap out mayonnaise with plain yogurt.
Cycle 2 addition: Make a homemade hummus to go with your veggies
Cycle 3 additions: Cut pita bread into triangles, toast and serve with your favorite homemade hummus or guacamole
Lunch/Early Dinner Ideas for Game Day
If your house is like mine, we’re eating all day on game day! Here are a few ideas for lunch or early dinners.
Turkey Burger- Protein Style
Season lean ground turkey meat with your favorite seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic, etc.
In lieu of bun, use ice burg, Bibb, or Boston lettuce and wrap your burger along with your favorite condiments such as sliced tomato, onion, ketchup and fat-free cheese.
You can also try this lovely Chicken Feta Spinach Patty recipe.
We’re not always on Cycle 1, so here are a few ways to switch it up if you’re on a later cycle.
Cycle 2/3: Use lean ground sirloin rather than turkey. Try this all-in-one burger recipe.
Cycle 3: Stuff your burger into a whole wheat pita pocket or make a burger wrap with a 10 inch whole wheat tortilla. If you want to use bread, fold your burger into one slice of your favorite bread from the Cycle 3 list.
Faux Buffalo Chicken
Cut chicken breasts into bite size pieces and marinate in a bath of your favorite buffalo wing hot sauce, reduced-sugar ketchup or BBQ sauce, add salt and pepper and any other spices you enjoy.
Bake at 350 for roughly 20 minutes.
Baste your chicken half way through baking process with extra sauce (make sure you set aside extra before putting chicken in marinade so not to contaminate cooking chicken). Serve with your ranch dip (see above).
You can also check out this Buffalo Chicken Meatball Recipe.
Chicken Stir Fry
Slice chicken breast, carrots, broccoli, bell peppers and onions.
Cook chicken with a bit of olive oil in pan, add veggies when chicken is almost cooked through.
Add Bragg Liquid Amino to taste and top with your favorite seasonings such as salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, etc. *For added variety, add grilled tofu.
If you want to simplify, try Judy’s Egg Roll in a Bowl recipe.
Chicken or Beef Skewers
We all know chicken or beef on a stick is a great BBQ favorite, but it can also be a great game day meal for you and your party!
This healthy recipe is an old family favorite (shhh don’t tell them I’m sharing it with you!). It’s inspired by my dad’s upbringing in Peru as a child and it’s full of flavor!
You can also use your favorite low-carb veggies and the same marinade and you have yourself a complete meal for game day!
Other Easy Recipes for Game Day
There are a ton of ways to enjoy the fall football season, and here are a few of my other favorite recipes!
Cauliflower Nachos
Think you’ll miss your nachos? Think again!
Try this yummy cauliflower nacho recipe instead.
Make it your own with your favorite toppings such as tomatoes, olives, and a sprinkle of cilantro or green onion!
Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
You can do so much with this recipe. If you’re sticking to the diet, eat your chicken salad over greens or in a lettuce wrap.
For non-dieting football fans, stuff this yummy buffalo chicken salad in pita pockets, slider buns or regular sandwich bread.
Greek Chicken Souvlaki with Yogurt Sauce
Who says you can’t have healthy for game day? Yes, please!
This dish is to die for! I think the secret is the yogurt sauce and special relish!
Tuna Cakes with Lemon Dijon Sauce
These can be a perfect appetizer. Actually, these are perfect any meal, any day!
The star of this show is definitely the Lemon Dijon Sauce!
Not a fan of tuna? Make this recipe with any canned meat (chicken, salmon, crab, etc!).
Bang Bang Chicken Kebabs
If you’re looking to impress guests with your football spread, this Bang Bang Chicken Kebab recipe is a must-have!
The sauce gives this dish a slightly sweet and spicy flavor.
Bonus points if you make the roasted cabbage wedges, too!
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Tzatziki Sauce
Everyone loves a meatball and combine them with this tangy sauce and you will have a hit in your house! YUM!
Buffalo Chicken Meatball with Blue Cheese Dressing
Seriously, you can never go wrong with meatballs for the game!
Add the blue cheese dressing to help cool off the spice, and you have yourself a winner!
Grilled Lemon Sriracha Shrimp
If you’re tired of chicken, this is a great alternative, especially for game day!
You can eat the shrimp as-is, use as a salad topper and stuff them into lettuce wraps! Enjoy!
90 Second Keto Bread
This low carb bread recipe is written for the Keto Diet, but if you’re on Cycle 3, this recipe can be easily adapted to use for the 17 Day Diet.
You’ll want to substitute Olive Oil for the butter (in equal portions) and you’ll be good to go!
You can use this 90 Second Keto Bread to serve Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches, toasted with a sprinkle of cheese, or as a simple side bread for your football spread!
Dessert Ideas for Game Day
What’s a game day spread without something sweet or savory? Here are a few dessert ideas for game day that will not only enhance your football spread, but will make you the true MVP of the day!
Mini Cheesecakes (Low-Fat, Low-Carb)
These will be the hit of the show. Plus, they are so versatile with all the flavor combos you can use for toppings.
You could even feature a “top your own cheesecake” bar with fresh cut fruit, chocolate sauce for non-dieters, or sugar free preserves. The sky is the limit!
You can check out my healthy dessert recipe ideas for game day.
Just because you’re on a diet doesn’t mean you can’t eat great food. Enjoy game day with your friends and family…and remember, it’s not all about food!
Healthy Game Day Snacks and Meals (with Recipes) Summary with Links
I know, that was a ton of info for making your game day healthier! Here’s a quick list of all the recipes I included in this post for easy access. Enjoy!
Healthy Game Day Snacks & Meals (with Recipes)
Don't let one big game of the year negate all the hard work you've put in so far in the New Year. Here are a few of my favorite healthy snacks and meals for your game day festivities!
Chicken Feta Spinach Patties
Lean chicken, fiber-rich spinach and salty feta cheese are the stars of this recipe!
Egg Roll in a Bowl a la Judy
A yummy egg roll in a bowl without all the carbs and fat! YUM!
Chicken or Beef Skewers (Shish Kabobs)
Summer grilling options are endless. With this Peruvian Anticuchos recipe, your protein and veggie combinations will make this dish a family favorite!
Cauliflower Nachos
Now you can have nachos low-carb style (with cauliflower!!).
Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt
When you're looking for something simple to make with a ton of flavor, this Buffalo Chicken Salad with Greek Yogurt is going to hit the spot!
Greek Chicken Souvlaki With Yogurt Sauce
Basic ingredients for a Greek flavor that feels like it took all day to create.
Tuna Cakes with Lemon Dijon Sauce
The star in this simple recipe is the Lemon Dijon Sauce!
Bang Bang Chicken Kebabs
Yummy chicken kebabs with a sweet and spicy kick!
Greek Turkey Meatballs with Yogurt Tzatziki Sauce
If you're looking for Greek gyros without all the work and long wait, here's a great meatball solution!
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs with Roasted Cabbage and Blue Cheese Dressing
Spicy buffalo chicken and cool blue cheese is a crowd pleaser!
Grilled Lemon Sriracha Shrimp
Tangy and a little spicy for your summer BBQ months!
90 Second Keto Bread
You can use this low-carb Keto bread for your meatballs or chicken salad recipes. It's a no brainer when it comes to low carb!
Low-Fat Low-Carb Mini Cheesecakes (17DD Friendly)
Yummy mini cheesecakes without all the sugar and guilt!
What are you having for game day? Come back and let me know what’s on the menu!
I’ve been loving the 17 Day Diet since 2011. I love sharing my favorite healthy recipes and meal plans to keep you motivated and on the right path to success!
When I’m not hanging out here, I enjoy quick trips to the Oregon Coast, designing my jewelry line and watching Outlander!
Are you new to the 17 Day Diet? Check out my latest book, Fast Track Your Weight Loss With The 17 Day Diet on Amazon! (aff link)
I love you… just when I am sick of Cycle 1 your recipes get me through. Day 13… 10lbs/30lbs goal.
Joni, congrats on your weight loss! You’re a third of the way there!!
Im searching recipes for C1 right now and I found great ideas how to use cauliflower. One of them is hummus – theres almond butter in it – am I allowed to eat almond butter or tahini on C1? thanks
I would have to say that neither is probably best to use on C1. Maybe C3, but that’s even iffy.
Hi Torey. Is coconut flour allowed on C1 or C2? I found a recipe for cauliflower bread loaf with use of 55g of coconut flour. I also have drinking coconut milk no sugar, 5g fat (4g sat) and no trans that would be great for smoothie but I dont know if I can use it.
Definitely skip all flours on Cycle 1 and probably on Cycle 2 as well. Breads are allowed on Cycle 3, so you may want to wait to use the flour then. If you’re going to drink the coconut milk, I’d probably wait until Cycle 3, but you can always try it now and if you don’t see any weight loss happening, I’d definitely stop drinking it.
Hi torey.. can i eat humus on cycle 1?
Julie, this would be a C2 food!
Hi Tori, Its my first day of Cycle 3 and I have lost 16 pounds so far!!! I’m a bit apprehensive to add bread, or alcohol back to my diet because Im 55 and worried about belly fat… (stupid menopause LOL) Is there a reason why I should be adding that back to my diet???
Thanks,
Sheri
Congrats on your 16 pounds Sheri! This is awesome!! Every cycle has its purpose. Cycle 3 is more about portion control than anything. It’s important to add back in carbs on both cycles 2 and 3 to help confuse your body. If you stay away from carbs too long (so basically following C1 a bit too long), then your body will eventually stop losing weight and you’ll plateau. So make sure you take measurements during Cycle 3 as you may lose more inches than pounds. If you can follow cycle 3 pretty much by the book, when you head back to Cycle 1 to do another round, you’ll likely see better results your next round because you’ll be pretty removed from Cycle 1 eating at that point. Good luck!!