Former Gridders Tackle Healthy Snacking

While armchair quarterbacks often spurge on snacks, professional football players have to keep in top shape. To encourage some moderation in snacking – whether at Super Bowl parties or throughout the year – a duo of former professional football players has teamed up to promote almonds as a better-for-you option.

This season, former NFL players Mike Golic (now co-host of “Mike and Mike in the Morning”) and Matt Light (now an NFL analyst) are doing a play-by-play on the taste and health benefits of California almonds, as part of a promotion from the Modesto, Calif.-based Almond Board of California. Golic, for his part, says that snacking on sweet-flavored almonds like cinnamon glazed almonds gives him fuel for long working days. Light says he prefers eating almonds with a bit of a kick, such as those with jalapeno seasoning.

As one of the peak snacking days of the year approaches on Super Bowl Sunday, Jenny Heap of the Almond Board of California says that adding nuts to the party mix is a way to provide a bit of balance. “It's important to note that not all snacks are created equal, and not all of them are the best choices for a healthy lifestyle," she says. "But if it's approached in a smart way, snacking can be good for you. It's important to choose snacks that are both tasty and nutritious. Snacks with protein and fiber that are low in sugar will keep you energized and curb your hunger so you won't find yourself making poor choices later in the day." Heap, a registered dietitian, also points out that California almonds are cholesterol free and contain only one gram of saturated fat and 13 grams of unsaturated fat per ounce.

As part of the seasonal promotion with Golic and Light, the two former players’ recipes for flavored almonds are available, along with other serving suggestions, on the Almond Board of California’s website.