Oh, the Big Game. People enjoy the game for many reasons. Some want to watch their team win the grand prize of professional football. Others watch in order to partake in the greatest debate of our time: “Who had the best Super Bowl commercial?” And then some just want to eat yummy food.

No matter what your reason for watching the Big Game, you will most likely need to prepare a dish of some kind to share with your family or friends.

Here are three reasons to include canned goods in your living room, tailgate extravaganza.

1. Canned foods reduce food waste. According to a recent study, 15 to 20 percent of fresh fruits and vegetables are thrown out. Canned options help reduce unconsumed produce and spoiled meats. And by not throwing out food, you are saving money too.

2. We need to eat more fruits and vegetables. According to the 2015 Dietary Guidelines, we aren’t getting enough. Canned foods are a great way to make it easier to consume more fruits and vegetables. Each person’s needs are unique, so read up on how much you need.

3. Canned foods are good for the environment and safer for you too. Canning helps to stop the growth of microorganisms that can cause foodborne illness. Also, canned fruits and vegetables are sealed at their peak ripeness.

Are you not sure how to include canned goods into your Super Bowl viewing recipes? We’ve got you covered with suggestions from the IFIC staff.

• HAWAIIAN PIZZA – Laura Kubitz says: I love Hawaiian pizza. And who doesn’t love a good pizza while watching football? The best part is that canned foods make it easy to prepare for my family and friends. I use canned tomato sauce, canned pineapple, mozzarella cheese, a premade pizza crust, and ham. Coat the pizza crust with tomato sauce, cheese, pineapple and meat. Heat it up in the oven until the crust is crispy. It couldn’t be easier!
• CHILI – Liz Sanders, RD, says: Peanut butter chili is my favorite go-to winter meal, especially for gatherings. Besides being super easy to make, it is packed with protein and fiber. It’s a one-pot recipe that satisfies both vegans and meat-eaters alike. Here’s how to make it:
  • 1 can of diced tomatoes
  • 2 cans of beans (your choice, mix and match)
  • ½ of an onion
  • ½ cup water
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • Southwestern spices (my favorites are cumin, smoked paprika and cayenne)

Sauté the onions, as this will speed up the simmering process. Throw the rest of the ingredients in a pot and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the mixture reaches your desired consistency. The best part about this recipe is that it’s totally customizable.

• MEATBALLS – Megan Meyer, PhD, says: One of my favorite tailgating recipes is so simple and yet so delicious. My mother-in-law has been making it for years, and it is a family favorite. It’s a simple recipe with just three ingredients: canned chili (no beans!), grape jelly, and frozen meatballs. Yes, I am serious. It’s one-to-one of the chili and jelly to coat the meatballs. You can either put it on the stove, or for even more convenience, I like to use my crockpot. Even though it couldn’t be a simpler recipe, it tastes like you put a ton of work into it. I’d bet meatless meatballs would work well too!

This article was written by Laura Kubitz and reviewed by Kris Sollid, RD.