AUSTIN, Texas (PRWEB) October 14, 2014
Whether cheering on your collegiate team or sporting the gear of your favorite professional player, football season is officially in motion, and that means tailgating is center plate. While the experience of tailgating has become a culinary trend in its own right, a recent online survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of Beanitos – the nation’s original bean snack made with USA grown whole beans– identifies how the mindset of fans may be shifting to healthier snacking options on game day and beyond.
Beanitos recently queried people nationwide via The Beanitos State of Snacking Survey, uncovering that nearly seven in ten Americans (69%) snack while tailgating or watching a game. The survey also revealed that 85% of Americans want a healthier snack life.
“Tailgating is a ritual synonymous with game day and this is especially true in football season,” said Dan Costello, Beanitos Chief Executive Officer. “Sporting events are snacking events, and we are seeing changes underway as fans get smarter about their food choices, looking for party options that offer delicious taste without having to compromise on nutrients like protein and fiber.”
The survey showed that Americans view beans among the healthiest main snack ingredients (49 percent), when compared against soy (37 percent), rice (35 percent), corn (25 percent) or potatoes (15 percent). A 2014 study by NPD Group showed that the majority of U.S. consumers (78 percent) agree that protein contributes to a healthy diet and more than half of adults say they want more of it in their diets.
“By offering 4 grams of plant-based protein per serving—as compared with an average of 1 gram found in the traditional tortilla chips and potato chips often on hand at tailgates and game day parties — Beanitos are appealing to a broad base of consumers by delivering on the combined great nutrient value of protein with a fantastic tasting snack,” added Costello.
Beyond the ritual of tailgating, the Beanitos State of Snacking Survey also revealed interesting findings surrounding the snacking settings of Americans including how:
- 20% have snacked naked (25% of men and 16% of women)
- 8% have said “I do” to snacking as they had a bite during a wedding ceremony
- 3% of women have snacked while giving birth
A Guide to Healthy Tailgating From Appetite for Health
As part of the brand’s launch in New York City this season, Beanitos teamed up with Appetite for Health Co-Founder, Katherine Brooking, MS, RD to makeover popular tailgating fare for footballs fans and fitness fanatics alike.
“Nothing tastes more like fall to me than the fan foods enjoyed during a football game,” commented Brooking. “That’s why I’m excited to team with Beanitos to help reimagine classic tailgating dishes, while inspiring fans and foodies to enjoy healthier options all season long.”
No tailgate is complete without nachos, but Brooking recommends trading in those salty corn-based tortilla chips for Beanitos bean-based chips. Her Deconstructed Tacos revamp the classic game day dish by cutting down calories and boosting protein without compromising on taste.
Beanitos Deconstructed Tacos
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
1 lb chopped chicken breast (or other lean protein choice)
2 cups shredded green cabbage
4 oz. Beanitos Original Black Bean with Sea Salt chips
fresh cilantro (for garnish)
lime wedges
1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp smoky chipotle powder
Pinch salt and pepper
Creamy Cilantro Dressing
1/4 cup low fat mayo
3/4 cup non fat greek yogurt
1/2 cup fresh cilantro
Juice of 1 lime
Directions: In a small bowl combine olive oil and chipotle powder. Add chicken and chill 10-15 minutes. Meanwhile, shred cabbage and make cilantro dressing. Place Beanitos on a baking sheet to be warmed in the oven. Put chicken on a baking sheet and bake until fully cooked, approximately 10-15 minutes. Assemble nachos by layering chicken, shredded cabbage, veggies to suit your taste, and cilantro on the bed of chips. Pour dressing over and enjoy.
Brooking also recommends using Beanitos as a staple ingredient within other traditional tailgating dishes:
- Use Beanitos to replace corn and potato chips and team with popular game day companions like hummus, spinach artichoke and seven-layer dips.
- Put Beanitos “Simply Pinto Bean” chips atop your lean beef, turkey, veggie or quinoa patty. The cushy texture of the burger with the crisp crunch of the chips are the perfect complement.
- Crumble up Beanitos “Chipotle BBQ” chips and roll onto your chicken strips before cooking for a nice mesquite flavor.
“It’s not about benching your favorite game day fare– it’s about simple ways to fine tune some of those crowd-pleasing recipes in a more nutritious way,” added Brooking. Recipe inspiration and nutritious tailgating tips can be found at http://www.Facebook.com/Beanitos.
All-natural, gluten-free Beanitos come in a variety of flavors including Chips and Puffs and offer 4 to 5 grams of fiber. Beanitos are made from black beans, pinto beans and white beans without the use of any fillers, artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives or genetically modified ingredients. Beanitos are available at grocers and health-food stores nationwide. For more information, visit http://www.Beanitos.com and http://www.Facebook.com/Beanitos.
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About Beanitos
The Beanitos Team took an often overlooked, but incredibly nutritious superfood – beans – and figured out how to unlock their natural goodness and deliver great taste & crunchy goodness. Beanitos is an Austin, Texas-based company formed in 2010, and we believe that everybody deserves to enjoy a snack that tastes great and is good for you! For more information, please visit http://www.beanitos.com, and become a fan at http://www.facebook.com/beanitos, and following @Beanitos on Twitter and Instagram.
Beanitos State of Snacking Survey Abbreviated Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by Harris Poll on behalf of Beanitos from September 10-12, 2014 among 2,011 adults ages 18 and older. This online survey is not based on a probability sample and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact Kelsey Curtis, Kelsey.curtis(at)zenogroup(dot)com, 212-299-8948.