Football party doesn't have to be unhealthy

If you're an armchair quarterback, “sitting around drinking brews and sodas and chowing down on fatty wings, chips and dips won't help you make the cut,” says registered and licensed dietitian Susan Burke March, author of "Making Weight Control Second Nature: Living Thin Naturally.”

“Score a nutritional touchdown and serve some healthy snacks while rooting your team on to victory,” March says. Here are some of her quick tips for healthy football-friendly fare :

1. Always choose baked chips instead of fried. Tortilla chips and potato chips come in different baked flavors and saves up to 30% of the calories of fried chips. Fat-free or reduced fat does not mean calorie free…watch your portion size.
2. Serve bean dip instead of regular sour cream dip. Only 46 calories per three tablespoons compared to more than double for full-fat sour cream.
3. Nuts are nutritious, but they add up quickly. Serve a giant bowl of air-popped popcorn sprayed with butter-flavored cooking spray and sprinkled with dehydrated butter granules…I like Butter Buds or Molly McButter. Delicious with only 60 calories for three cups, only a trace of fat and about 10 grams of sodium. Save 280 calories, 28 grams of fat and 330 milligrams of sodium over the regular microwave popcorn.
4. Replace fried mozzarella sticks with chicken skewers. They're really popular and always great party food. You can buy them already prepared (especially at warehouse grocers), and save 188 calories, 9 grams of fat, and 546 milligrams of sodium over the same sized portion of fried cheese.
5. Serve a healthy submarine sandwich. Whole-wheat hero rolls give you that extra added fiber and nutrition (not to mention taste!) compared to white bread. Layer on turkey breast, lean roast beef or lean ham, shredded lettuce and tomato slices; slice into 2 inch portions and serve with sliced onions and pickles.
6. Keep the calories low by using low fat mayonnaise, and naturally low-calorie ketchup and mustard. Fat-free dressings should be offered…the new varieties are so good, you won't miss the fat.
7. Imbibe with caution, because those brews add up! One regular beer ranges between 150 to 200 calories; instead serve light beer…only about 100 calories per bottle. A 5-ounce glass of wine has about 100 calories, as does one ounce of alcoholic spirits such as vodka, gin or scotch. Serve a variety of diet sodas, flavored club sodas and keep a big cooler with individual bottles of spring water.
8. Don't forget…substituting juice for regular soda is like substituting regular sour cream for mayonnaise…you're not going to save calories. An 8-ounce glass of juice, unsweetened, has about 120 calories. Offer club soda with a splash of 100 percent juice and a piece of fresh lemon or lime for a lower calorie refreshing beverage.
9. Dips: Any dried dip mix will do, but instead of regular sour cream, add ½ cup of nonfat sour cream, ½ cup of nonfat mayonnaise, and ¾ cup of diced fresh tomatoes, ¼ cup of chopped green onion, and ¼ cup of chopped ripe olives, rinsed and drained. Mix and refrigerate for ½ hour before serving.
10. Crudités: everyone like crunchy veggies, especially with a tasty dip. Buy pre-washed and cut-up veggies and you're ready to go…zero prep time.

SUSAN'S WEIGHT-WISE CHILI1 pound of 97 percent lean ground beef or turkey or firm tofu, drained1 onion, diced2 cloves garlic, minced1 green pepper, seeded and diced1 teaspoon olive oil1 (28-ounce) can tomato puree (no salt added)1 (15-ounce) can each kidney beans, white beans, and pinto beans-rinsed and drained3 small to medium baking potatoes, scrubbed and cubed2 tablespoons chili powder1/4 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon cumin2 cups waterIn a large, nonstick saucepan over low-medium high heat, heat olive oil. Add garlic and cook until just softened.Add the onion and pepper and cook 2 more minutes; then add the ground meat or crumble in the tofu: cook about 5 minutes.Drain off fat if using meat; add pureed tomatoes, canned beans, potatoes, seasonings, and water.Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for approximately 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

1 pound of 97 percent lean ground beef or turkey or firm tofu, drained

1 onion, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 green pepper, seeded and diced

1 teaspoon olive oil

1 (28-ounce) can tomato puree (no salt added)

1 (15-ounce) can each kidney beans, white beans, and pinto beans-rinsed and drained

3 small to medium baking potatoes, scrubbed and cubed

2 tablespoons chili powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cumin

2 cups water

In a large, nonstick saucepan over low-medium high heat, heat olive oil. Add garlic and cook until just softened.

Add the onion and pepper and cook 2 more minutes; then add the ground meat or crumble in the tofu: cook about 5 minutes.

Drain off fat if using meat; add pureed tomatoes, canned beans, potatoes, seasonings, and water.

Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for approximately 30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

For thinner chili, add a cup of broth, wine or water. Serve with a tossed salad.