Game Day Brain SnacksIt’s almost the end of January. Don’t let the big game party sack your new year’s resolution to eat healthy and lose weight. Tackle a table full of tempting chips, nachos, pizza and wings with these easy-to-make, brain-healthy, crowd-pleasing snacks. Serve these and celebration touchdown dances will be allowed.

First Down Dips

Hummus with cut vegetables

Guacamole (mashed, ripe avocado mixed with lime juice, cilantro, cumin and sea salt)

Pico de Gallo (chopped fresh tomatoes, onions, cilantro, chopped jalepeno,  lime juice, and sea salt) serve with whole-grain chips containing nuts and seeds

Walnut & Mushroom pate see recipe: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2017/12/recipe-mushroom-walnut-pate/

DASH diet Veggie Pizzas

Zucchini wheels (cut zucchini in large slices, toss in olive oil and pepper, broil for 2 mins each side, top with marinara sauce, low-fat mozzarella cheese and black olives. Broil until cheese is melted.)

Rainbow Veggie Pizza see recipe here:  https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2018/01/recipe-rainbow-veggie-pizza-with-chickpea-cauliflower-crust/

“Heart”ier Main Dishes:

SpicyTurkey Meatballs (Combine ground dark turkey, one small grated zucchini, one beaten egg, minced fresh garlic, Italian seasoning, red pepper flakes, pinch of sea salt. Form into meatballs. In batches, pan-fry in 2 tbsp olive oil until brown. Transfer to casserole dish and bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes).

Falafel with Zesty Yogurt Sauce see recipe: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2017/11/recipe-falafel-with-a-zesty-yogurt-sauce/

Best Defense Desserts

Dark Chocolate Minty MousseDark Chocolate Mint Mousse see recipe https://healthybrains.org/dark-chocolate-minty-mousse/

Non-dairy Cherry Chocolate-Chip Ice Cream see recipe: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/2017/04/recipe-cherry-chocolate-chip-ice-cream/

Keep up your brain healthy eating all the way through to Spring training and beyond. See more recipe ideas at HealthyBrains.org/recipes.