How to Make a Healthy Charcuterie Board!

As the summer approaches, we wanted to share some ideas for healthy options for a charcuterie board! Cookouts and other gatherings are a great time to see family and friends but are also often filled with chips, processed meats, sodas, and other unhealthy food options where we feel trapped in our choices. By offering to bring a healthy charcuterie board to your next gathering, you don’t have to feel limited in your choices and are encouraging others to take part in a nutritious appetizer! Here are our recommendations for a healthy whole foods-based charcuterie board!

Load it up with fruits and veggies! The more variety of color on your plate, the more nutrients you are providing your body with. Some classic charcuterie boards tend to choose grapes, which is a delicious option. We recommend also adding other fruits, especially those in season- figs, apple slices, blueberries, orange slices, blackberries, raspberries, pomegranates. We recommend adding in various vegetables such as celery sticks, carrots, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, and even opting to use veggies as your “cracker” replacement. Remember, refined carbohydrates are known to spike blood glucose levels and cause inflammation.
Cut out dried fruit- aim for fresh fruit over dried fruits such as dried cranberries, dried mango, dried apricot, dried apple, etc. These foods are often high in sugar and are much higher in calories than a piece of fresh fruit.
Choose low-fat, high protein cheeses- mozzarella, cottage cheese, swiss, ricotta, and parmesan cheese are all great options for a lower fat cheese with great flavor and a good source of protein.
Add nuts for healthy fat and protein- almonds, walnuts, cashews, pecans, peanuts, pistachios. Nuts are a great way to add in some protein and healthy fats
Be creative in your protein sources- try adding slices of a hard-boiled egg to your board, edamame beans, roasted chickpeas, etc. Often, charcuterie boards are packed with processed meats such as salami, sausages, and ham. These processed meats are high in sodium and have been linked to a higher risk of developing hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and even cancer.
Decorate your board with fresh herbs- Thyme, rosemary, mint, basil, and oregano, all provide great aromas and can act as a beautiful decoration for your charcuterie board!
Choose a healthy dip or spread- hummus, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, mashed avocado, natural nut butter, and sugar-free fruit spreads, are all healthy whole food options with great flavor to add to your board. Other dips can be high in sugar, fats, and full of unhealthy ingredients. Aim to add dips that are made with whole foods and minimal ingredients!