FEATURING THE SNACK PLATE
an effortless summer meal
It’s getting hot out there…. time to try one of my super simple meals, ideal for when it’s hot outside or you’re simply wanting a fun, easy way to eat lunch or dinner.
Enter the snack plate.
How to eat a snack plate without over snacking….
Take a few minutes to plate your food (and not simply “snack” on the different items). This sounds so simple and yet how often do you find yourself just eating out of bags and packages?
Sit down and enjoy your food without the distraction of screens or other attempts to multi-task (a-okay to savor while eating with others).
By plating your food and giving yourself permission to sit down and enjoy it, your body can shift into rest and digest mode, improving digestion. Savoring your food without distraction helps your body recognize fullness.
These simple steps are key to helping you mindfully eat (aka not arriving at the end of a bag of chips feeling frustrated for overdoing it).
Plating your food, is also a great way to create a balanced plate of goodness.
Important to note, that if you’re still hungry when you finish your plate, serve up some more “snacks” on your plate. It is NORMAL for your hunger to vary from day to day depending on a multitude of factors.
HOW TO MAKE A SNACK PLATE
Mix and match from the different categories. Serve on a plate or package it to take to work or better yet on a picnic! Some ideas to get you started:
Protein – turkey slices, boiled eggs, smoked salmon, goat cheese, salami, nuts
Something salty – olives, pepperoncini, marinated artichokes, cornichons, pickled peppers
Raw veggies – sliced bell pepper, snap peas, sliced cucumber, carrots, cherry tomatoes, cauliflower, broccoli, celery, sliced radishes
Additional vehicles for dipping – seedy crackers, pita, tortilla chips
Dips (aka THE very important flavor element) – hummus, Tzatziki, guacamole, green goddess dressing
Something sweet – small handful of berries, cherries and/or dark chocolate
Best served with sparkling water with lemon, iced tea, or a crisp glass of sauvignon blanc. Enjoy!
HAVE KIDS?
This can be a fun way to eat lunch or dinner with them! Think of it as an upgraded lunchable. Kids love to dip so this is a great way to get them to enjoy different veggies. Make one big board and encourage them to serve themselves, try different things and get creative with how they put it on their plates.