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  Big Dave Topic Started February 03 at 9:23 am Favorite 0

  The big game is coming up pretty quick. What are everyone's favorite healthy snacks for enhancing the football-watching action?

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  Jessica Corwin, RD Answered by Health Coach Jessica Corwin, RD
  March 04 at 1:05 pm

  While this answer is a bit too late, I would suggest one of my favorite party snacks: whole grain tortilla chips with corn and black-bean salsa and guacamole. Not too mention a colorful tray of fresh veggies to dip as a low-calorie alternative.

  Though rather than taking the entire bag of chips or bowl of guacamole in front of the TV, portion out 1 oz of chips and 1-2 tablespoons of guac to go along with the salsa. This can help to prevent mindless munching (and excess calories) during the game. If you need some constant munching, I'd like to go back to those veggies I was hustling earlier :)

  I must add a disclaimer here... while we are all quick to sit down and WATCH all of these fantastic athletes in action, why not hop off the couch and play your own round of touch football out back (we had decent weather for it) or chase the dog or kids around the house. Moving around is an excellent way to help keep blood sugar even and also to burn off the delicious calories found on Superbowl Sunday. Okay, stepping off my soapbox :)

  What did you end up munching on or doing that day, Dave?

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  Big Dave Answered March 05 at 8:09 am

  Almost exactly what you said; corn and black bean salsa with some whole grain tortilla chips. Didn't have anyone interested in playing football, but I took a walk just to stretch my legs and move around a bit.

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  Jessica Corwin, RD Answered by Health Coach Jessica Corwin, RD
  March 05 at 9:47 am

  Love to hear that, Dave. Great minds think alike :) Hope you weren't cheering for the Patriots!

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  fiona Answered March 20 at 5:31 am

  Is the salsa home made?

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  Big Dave Answered March 20 at 8:07 am

  It was store-bought this time, but I like making it homemade when I have all the ingredients to do so :)

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  Jessica Corwin, RD Answered by Health Coach Jessica Corwin, RD
  March 20 at 5:59 pm

  Homemade for me this summer once those beautiful tomatoes ripen up :) Though until then, I just add corn kernels and black beans to purchased salsa or spiced up diced tomatoes with fresh herbs & a splash of lime.

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  fiona Answered March 24 at 6:31 am

  can you please tell me how to make it. Here in australia tomatoes are ready now. How do you get your black beans. Here I can only get the salted can and they are horrible. I have found dried turtle beans but not sure what to do with them

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  Jessica Corwin, RD Answered by Health Coach Jessica Corwin, RD
  March 24 at 6:22 pm

  Black dried turtle beans are the same thing as black beans, Fiona. The turtle name is simply an older term that is most skipped over here :)

  To make dried beans, you can simply soak them in water overnight. Rinse them off in the morning, and then boil until they are soft. Once they are cooked you can drain them and mix them in with your salsa and corn for a delicious dip. I often buy the canned black beans myself, opting for the no-salt-added versions or rinsing regular canned beans in a strainer under running water. I think they taste great!

  Hope this helps :)

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  Big Dave Answered March 28 at 5:03 pm

  I love black beans in place of pinto beans too, because for some reason they always cook easier and faster for me. Pinto beans just end up being a crunchy mess no matter what I try...

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  fiona Answered March 29 at 6:04 am

  Thanks for the answer. Do you know much about mesquite powder? I have bought some but want some ideas how to use it

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  Big Dave Answered March 29 at 10:48 am

  I've never heard of mesquite powder, quite honestly. My initial thought was that it'd be extremely smoky like mesquite barbecue, but that doesn't seem to be the case from some searching I did. It looks like it has nutty/smoky undertones with a sweet sort of flavor. It appears to pair well with chocolate or coffee, so maybe you could try an espresso brownie recipe and add some of the powder in place of cocoa powder and/or flour? Or perhaps a black bean brownie recipe could work too. I'm interested in hearing other uses as well!

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