By Jena Pape

Hy-Vee Nutrionalist

Today marks the official start of football season here in Minnesota; with the Vikings first regular season game starting at noon.

I don’t know about you and your family, but for mine football season means gathering the gang around the TV and enjoying some game day grub. And whether or not you’re a big sports fan, you don’t have to miss out on the pregame, halftime or postgame football festivities. For many, Sunday football is simply a great opportunity to get everyone together and feast on delicious food.

So what can you make that’s sure to be a success for your game day get togethers? How about sliders?

Sliders are easy to make and are great for friends and family who are watching their waistlines, as portion control is achieved through preparation. They can be made in a variety of flavor combinations, and are easy to grab and go to ensure your fans don’t miss a minute of the game’s excitement.

To make a great slider, all you need is a few ingredients and your imagination. Start with some grilled patties made from lean ground beef, pork or turkey and add your favorite toppings.  To ramp up the nutrition in your sliders, be sure to serve on whole grain cocktail buns. Include vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, spinach and lettuce varieties.

Here are a few combinations to try:

•Chipotle cheddar cheese plus avocado slices and red onion slices

•Baby Swiss cheese, tomato slices and baby spinach leaves

•Muenster cheese, roasted bell peppers and bacon slices

•Chipotle cheddar cheese will add a kick to any burger. On a beef burger, Swiss cheese becomes the perfect blend of soft and creamy, gooey and stretch. Or try Emmentaler and Gruyere, also in this family of cheeses, which have amazing tastes and great melting properties.  Bacon slices and jarred roasted bell peppers or balsamic-sautéed onions help balance the richness of Muenster cheese.

Pick a combination from above or make one up of your own to create your own game day sliders this football season.