Sports season is a big deal no matter where you live. Even if you’re not a fan, chances are someone in your family is. If you’ve undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS), you might face some game-day challenges regarding what you can eat. It’s frustrating to be surrounded by snacks, finger foods, dips, and game-day meals that may not fit into your post-op meal plan. You might be wondering: Is it even possible to find healthy game-day recipes? The answer is YES, and we're here to provide you with our favorite dietitian-approved tailgate recipes. Best part? Your friends won’t even know they’re bariatric-approved! Check out the delicious recipes below for your next super bowl or gameday party! Sweet Pepper Bariatric Nachos These sweet pepper bariatric nachos are an appetizer that everyone can enjoy. Bell peppers are a great low-carb veggie option compared to tortilla chips, and they offer more flavor and sweetness instead. Ingredients: 2 pound bag of sweet mini peppers, 1 pound of lean ground turkey, 1 package of low-sodium taco seasoning, 1 cup shredded lettuce, 1 ½ cup low-fat shredded cheddar cheese, 1 cup salsa, and 1 cup plain Greek yogurt Nutrition Facts: 216 calories, 7g fat, 11g carbs, 3g fiber, 5g sugar, 27g protein (per 6 pepper halves) Get the full recipe here! Avocado Deviled Eggs Eggs are a great source of protein and are easily added to your diet after bariatric surgery. These deviled eggs feature an ingredient you wouldn’t expect, avocado! Avocado provides a natural creaminess that is a perfect mayonnaise substitution. You can completely omit the mayo from this low-carb recipe by increasing the amount of avocado until you’ve reached your desired consistency. Deviled eggs are a hit at any party. Show up with a dozen of these green beauties, and you’ll be winning game day! Ingredients: 6 eggs, ¼ avocado, 1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt, 2 tbsp low-fat mayonnaise, 1 tsp mustard, 1 tsp lemon juice, and 1 tsp paprika Nutrition Facts: 105 calories, 8g fat, 2g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 0.5g sugar, 7g protein (per 2 eggs) Get the full recipe here! Red Pepper Protein Hummus Are you bored with the typical tailgating dip recipes you’ve tried? Check out this unique spin on hummus! Hummus is a versatile condiment that can be used as a dip, sandwich spread, and more. Traditional hummus is made by blending garbanzo beans (chickpeas), tahini (sesame seed butter), and lemon juice. Rich in protein, hummus offers great nutritional value and can be utilized during the soft foods diet phase following metabolic and bariatric surgery. Original hummus is great, but adding some flavor can be a game changer. This red pepper protein hummus can be served with raw vegetables, whole grain crackers, used as a spread, or eaten as is, depending on what bariatric diet stage you are currently in. Ingredients: 2 cups garbanzo beans, ¼ cup roasted red peppers, 2 tbsp lemon juice ½ tsp minced garlic, 4 tbsp tahini, 2 tbsp olive oil, ¼ cup fresh parsley, ½ tsp cumin, and 1 scoop Bariatric Fusion Unflavored High Protein Meal Replacement Nutrition Facts: 205 calories, 9.5g fat, 15g carbs, 6g fiber, 2g sugar, 18g protein (per ⅓ cup) Get the full recipe here! Spinach Artichoke Dip You might be surprised to discover this spinach artichoke recipe is considered high protein. That’s because tofu is the main ingredient! This low-carb recipe packs all the flavor of your favorite spinach artichoke dip recipe but is high in protein and contains low-fat dairy products. Serve it with veggies slices and whole grain crackers for a game-day win! Ingredients: 14 oz can of artichoke hearts in water, 8 oz shredded parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp hot sauce, 8 oz soft silken tofu, 2 cups spinach, 16 oz low-fat Greek yogurt, 2 tsp minced garlic. Nutrition Facts: 138 calories, 6.5g fat, 4g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 2g sugar, 13g protein (per ½ cup) Get the full recipe here! Parmesan Zucchini Fries Parmesan zucchini fries offer an addictive flavor that you don’t have to regret! Zucchini is the perfect non-starchy vegetable option rich in vitamin A, folate, calcium, and potassium, all essential vitamins and minerals needed in life, even more so following metabolic and bariatric surgery.* Bring a fruit and veggie platter to the tailgate and surprise your friends with these crave-worthy parmesan zucchini fries. Ingredients: 1 large zucchini, 1 cup reduced fat grated parmesan, 2 eggs, and ½ cup panko. Nutrition Facts: 109 calories, 4g fat, 11g carb, 1.5g fiber, 2g sugar, 8g protein (per 4.5 slices) Get the full recipe here! Buffalo Chicken Wing Wonton Cups Chicken wings are a staple in every bar and restaurant, but with wonton cups becoming more popular, they’re giving chicken wings some competition! This spin-off wings recipe delivers the best of both worlds: chicken wings and wonton cups. These crispy buffalo chicken wing wonton cups will be the real winner of game day. Perfect for tailgating, each bite-sized wonton cup packs a burst of flavor and spice. The best part? This healthy snack utilizes alternative ingredients like plain Greek yogurt and low-fat cheese to mimic buffalo chicken wing dip consistency and taste. Dig in (guilt-free)! Ingredients: 2 chicken breasts, 2 tbsp paprika, ½ tsp chipotle chili powder, 24 wonton wrappers, 4 oz ⅓ less fat Neufchatel cheese, ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt, ½ cup hot sauce, and 3 oz blue cheese crumbles Nutrition Facts: 68 calories, 3.6g fat, 4.3g carbs, 0.5g fiber, 0.5g sugar, 4.3g protein (per wonton cup) Get the full recipe here! Taco Wonton Cups So who's the real winner of game day? Wonton cups! These popular snacks are the clear tailgating winner: mess-free, easy-to-pack, bite-sized, crunchy, and downright delicious! This Taco Wonton Cups recipe delivers your favorite Mexican flavors in a perfect bite-size serving. The recipe is easy to make and versatile. Offer them as an appetizer, eat them as a snack, or pack a few as your lunch. These mini tacos will be a winner any way you serve them! Ingredients: ½ pound ground beef, 1 tbsp taco seasoning, 1/4 cup salsa, 12 wonton wrappers, 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese, and 1/4 cup black beans (1 tsp per cup) Nutrition Facts: 119 calories, 8g fat, 5g carb, 0.3g fiber, 0.3g sugar, 6.5g protein (per 1 cup) Get the full recipe here! Summary Undergoing metabolic and bariatric surgery doesn’t mean you have to sit out during tailgate season. Get off the bench, and bring home the win with bariatric-friendly recipes that utilize alternative ingredients! Whether you are looking for recipes that are sugar-free, gluten-free, or crockpot-friendly, Bariatric Fusion has free recipes available for any tailgate, holiday season, family outing, or social event. Click here for more Bariatric-Friendly Recipes This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your bariatric surgeon or another qualified healthcare provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition. A qualified healthcare professional can best assist you in deciding whether a dietary supplement is suitable based on your individual needs. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.