Four Tailgating Recipes for “Vegetarian Awareness Month”
Tailgating usually means a few things to people: Meaty chili, beer, maybe some nachos or burgers. But if you surround your fellow fans with nutritious eats, they’ll be able to enjoy the food while focusing on the plays (or pregame fun) rather than worrying about their waistlines. And if you offer some hearty meat-free dishes, you’ll be sure that no guest gets stranded with just chips and salsa or a reheated freezer-burned veggie burger!
October has been classified as “Vegetarian Awareness Month”—a somewhat strange holiday in my view! :) I think we’re all pretty well aware that vegetarianism is an option, but it’s what we do about that fact that may make a difference in the health of our diets. (Research has shown that, as a general trend, non-meat eaters weigh less and eat fewer calories and fat grams that carnivores. But those who eat meat can surely be healthy as well!) Personally, I consider myself more of a “flexitarian:” someone who has two to five meatless days per week.
So to honor both this kooky holiday and a kickoff (Go Pack Go!), here are four recipes from around the web that are perfect for your next tailgating event:
- Zucchini Pizza Bites: Slice-inspired appetizers? Yes, please! Skinny Taste makes the perfect party food that will leave one hand free for your beverage, the remote or a football! (125 calories, 6 g fat)
- Garden Sliders: A feast for the eyes as well as the mouth, these stacked sandwiches from Better Homes and Gardens get extra flavor from a homemade bean spread. Score extra points by selecting veggies that come in the colors of your team! (120 calories, 2 g fat)
- Baked Chili Surprise: Hungry Girl jazzes up a quintessential tailgating dish with extra veggies and a doughy topping. It’s like chili pot pie! Bonus: The meal is semi-homemade, so it comes together in a flash. (215 calories, 3 g fat)
- Jojo’s Party Mix: Eating Well’s lightened-up snack blend is flavored by a touch olive oil and a sprinkle of Parmesan rather than a stick of butter. (61 calories, 2 g fat)
Talk about a delicious menu. The best part? If you like, you can enjoy a serving of each over the course of the evening (one dish per quarter, perhaps?) for less than 525 calories!
More fitting recipes from Healthful Bites:
- Southwestern Bean Salad (serve with baked tortilla chips!)
- Farmers Market Roasted Veggies (perfect between bread or in a wrap too)
What do you love to serve at your tailgates?





Hehe, get it? Karla loves weights!
Three pretzel variations. Do the twist ;)
Healthful Bites loves some football! (That’s supposed to be the field goal uprights and a football if you can’t tell).
(Image courtesy of
(Image courtesy of 
