Team Up With These NFL City Staple Foods

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I have always loved this time of year because the colder weather and weekly game days call for the most amazingly warm and comforting foods. We all know the two teams that call Ohio home, the Browns and the Bengals. Chances are you're a fan of one of those two, but do you know about the other teams with fans in Ohio? Both Ohio cities and the others have their own unique charms and characteristic dishes, many of which are wonderfully warm, hearty, and perfect for a chilly game day.

While the foods this time of year are tasty, they tend to be a bit high in calories and other things like saturated fat and sodium, which we should do our best to limit in our diets. Luckily, I have a few tips for packing some extra nutrition into these foods. So, here are the most popular NFL teams in Ohio and some signature dishes from their respective cities, each with their own healthy twists!

Cleveland, OH - Home of the Browns


The Cleveland area's most common foods are greatly influenced by the high German and Polish populations here. Dollar Dog Night is also ingrained into Cleveland culture due to the presence of Guardians baseball. As a result, things like hot dogs and bratwurst are what I think of as Cleveland staple foods. Cook up some onions and add your favorite condiments to take your hot dogs to the next level. If you're looking to lower the saturated fat, you can always use a turkey dog instead. Consider serving your brats with other German staples like sauerkraut, which is rich in vitamins and minerals.

Cincinnati, OH - Home of the Bengals


You may have heard of what is possibly this city's most famous restaurant chain, Skyline Chili. Even if you don't live in Cincinnati, you can make your own warm pot of chili at home for a cold game day. Add in some beans for extra protein and fiber and top it with some low-fat cheese and sour cream. If you're into the Skyline style of serving your chili over spaghetti, try using whole grain noodles or a protein pasta for some extra nutrients. If you're more into the simplicity of pre-made canned chili, consider the low-sodium option.

Pittsburgh, PA - Home of the Steelers


Though I'm a born and raised Northeast Ohioan, I actually grew up in a Steelers household. The team got its name from the city's extensive history in steelmaking, which is also the period that experienced a lot of Eastern European influence. Thus pierogies became one of the most popular Pittsburgh foods. Though the most traditional fillings are potato and cheese, these dumplings are so customizable. To add more nutrients and lower the saturated fat, there are lots of different vegetables and lean proteins options, such as ground turkey or chicken. You can also use low-fat cheese and cut down on the amount of butter that most pierogi recipes call for.

Detroit, MI - Home of the Lions


One of the most popular foods in the Lions' home city is Detroit-style pizza. This deep-dish style pizza is typically rectangle or square shaped and is perfect for serving everyone at your game day festivities. If you're looking for a lower-calorie version or some extra protein and fiber, try making your own cauliflower crust at home! Using low-fat cheese is also a great way to reduce calories and saturated fat while still getting in some calcium. You can also choose a low-sodium tomato sauce if you're making it homemade.

Whether your team falls under "Super Bowl-bound" or "there's always next year," these NFL city staples are sure to be delicious additions to your game day menu. There are so many options if you're looking for a healthier alternative, so give them a try for your next game day party!

GM

References:

https://www.vividseats.com/blog/most-popular-nfl-teams-by-state-county 
https://statisticalatlas.com/place/Ohio/Cleveland/Ancestry
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/169279/nutrients
https://www.discovertheburgh.com/famous-pittsburgh-foods/







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