So it’s Homecoming weekend. To celebrate you will probably- like a lot of other students- do some tailgating.

Okay . so you’ll probably do a lot of tailgating.

Nutrition may not usually be the first thing on your mind during such an event, but a glance at some healthy options for your tailgating experience certainly won’t hurt.

And who knows? You might just use a few of these creative suggestions this weekend.

Sally Barclay, clinician for the Nutrition Clinic for Employee Wellness, has offered a few ideas – which you might just find delicious – to help make celebrating healthier for you.

Not to be your mother, but . Some things you need to know about drinking (from a nutritional standpoint)

It’s good to use moderation with any alcoholic beverage – Barclay said even light beer has no significant nutritional value. She said wine contains resveratrol from the grape skins – a substance that is produced by several plants and that is sold as a nutritional supplement – which may give it a slight nutritional edge.

Even if alcoholic beverages largely offer “empty calories,” studies have indicated that moderate drinking correlates with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to Harvard School of Public Health.

According to the same, “moderate drinking” is defined as the amount of alcohol at which health risks are obviously outweighed by benefits.

Other benefits of moderate drinking include a possible decreased risk of gallstones and type 2 diabetes and the psychological benefits associated with the soothing nature of alcoholic beverages.

The amount of alcohol that constitutes “moderate drinking” is most recently defined as no more than two drinks a day for men and no more than one a day for women.

Heavy drinking, on the other hand, aside from the possible dangers brought on by impaired judgment, can cause inflammation and possibly scarring of the liver; it can also increase blood pressure and damage the heart muscle.

Barclay suggested interchanging water with alcoholic beverages to keep intake to a reasonable level, or setting a personal limit on drinks.

I’m 15 minutes in . What are some good finger food choices?

Fruit and vegetables are probably not generally considered tailgating fare, but including vegetables in salsas or having a veggie tray with a low-fat dip can help decrease the guilt in munching.

Grilling or roasting vegetables is also an option. Barclay suggested tomatoes, onions, mushrooms, peppers, zucchini, asparagus or sweet corn. Grilled veggies on a skewer can make a fun and healthful contribution to any meal.

Nuts and trail mixes can be healthful staple snacks. As with all food, however, it’s important to pay attention to portion size (nuts, for example: although they contain fiber and protein, they also contain a significant amount of fat, even if some of those are healthy fats).

Try whole grain crackers with bean spreads or hummus. The U.S. Department of Agriculture recommends that at least half of grains consumed should be whole grains.

Meat, meat! . Delving into the main course

If you enjoy burgers but would like to steer away from the calories .

Use a leaner beef, such as ground sirloin.

Try Boca burgers or other soy-based patties, which are low in calories and vegetarian-friendly.

Black bean burgers are another tasty, healthful option.

And this won’t decrease the calories, but adding lettuce, onion and tomato slices certainly ups the nutrition – and taste – of any burger.

If bratwurst is your party food of choice .

Try turkey bratwurst, a unique, lower-calorie option with all the spices of its counterpart and not as many saturated fats.

“Bratos” are a combination of lean pork and soy and also have the traditional bratwurst flavoring without as many calories or saturated fats.

If you just want to get crazy and try something different .

Marinated chicken breasts are both low in fat and flavorful.

Salmon or tuna steaks can be grilled, and they contain omega-3 fats, which Barclay said are good for the brain and the heart.

If they’re on hand, wild game meats can be a good option because they’re generally lean, Barclay said.

Finally, Barclay mentioned having a nutritious snack before leaving for the game can help keep the nibbling down and the pounds off. And of course, it’s good to remember that tailgating is not as much about food or drinks as it is about being with friends and celebrating. So maybe stop stuffing your face and talk a little – it’s healthier than a brat and a beer.