When you think about typical tailgate fare, what comes to mind? Overstuffed sandwiches packed with salami and cheese … washed down with a six–pack of beer, a large bag of chips and guacamole?

Why not avoid a nutrition penalty this year by tossing together a game-day menu that tastes good – and is good for you? Jenny Craig Chief Dietitian Lisa Talamini offers the following winning strategies:

• Pack baby carrots, grape or cherry tomatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet peas, and jicama sticks to satisfy your cravings for crunchy finger foods. Serve with fat-free Ranch dressing or hummus, which is rich in fiber and protein and makes a great lowfat dip.

• Try baked potato chips instead of their fuller-fat counterparts. Individual-sized bags are also a convenient way to prevent overeating.

• When making sandwiches, choose hearty, whole grain breads, lean cuts of meat, and reduced-fat cheese. Then “volumize” with cucumbers, tomatoes, green peppers, onions and sprouts for added crunch and flavor.

• Be cautious with condiments.  A tablespoon of mayonnaise contains about 100 calories and 11 grams of fat. Save half the calories and fat by choosing light mayonnaise … or use mustard, which has almost no calories or fat at all!

• Instead of the usual hamburgers and hot dogs, grill shrimp, chicken, heart-healthy salmon or meatless options like turkey burgers, garden burgers or soy dogs.  Make zesty kabobs by alternating marinated lean meats, chicken, vegetables and fruit on skewers.

• Bring along plenty of calorie-free flavored waters, diet soda, sugar-free iced tea or lemonade, and low-sodium vegetable juice. If you're bringing wine, make a refreshing spritzer (half wine/half club soda) for half the calories.

• Serve an exotic fruit plate featuring apples, pears, grape clusters, whole strawberries, raspberries, pineapple chunks, peach slices, melon balls and other seasonal favorites. Make a simple-yet-delicious fruit dip by combining 1 1/3 cups vanilla lowfat yogurt, ¼ cup low-sugar orange marmalade, and ¼ tsp cinnamon. Angel food cake topped with fresh fruit and fat-free whipped topping is another light dessert option.

Above all, keep your foods safe. Cold foods should be kept below 40º F, and hot foods above 140º F when possible.  Bacteria multiply quickly when food is in the "danger zone" of 40-140º F, so avoid eating any food that has been in that range for more than two hours.