How To Make a Healthy Grazing Platter

Often dripping with honey, tropical fruits, sweet treats and refined carbs, grazing platters can feel like a bit of a minefield trying to build a balanced snack plate and not go overboard, especially if they come before a meal. But, your grazing platter doesn’t have to be unhealthy! 

When you’re in control, grazing platters, or boards, can be a great option because regardless of dietary requirements, there will almost always be something for everyone – even the pickiest of eaters!

The main event

Meats, fish and vegetarian protein sources like tempeh are great for starring as the main event on your healthy grazing platter. In order to achieve a healthy amount of protein in your meals, try adding the following to your boards:

• Smoked salmon
• Tempeh
• Quality sliced meats

The scooper uppers

Vegetables of all different colours not only make your grazing boards pop but they’ll do wonders for your health too!

Go for seasonal produce as not only is it cheaper but it’s far more delicious. Our Online Programme has recipes for all seasons; as a global programme, we’ve made sure there are Festive recipes to suit both the hot and cold climates!

Dips and spreads

While it may sound daunting when there’s so much to do, making dips and spreads is surprisingly simple to make and far more delicious than the shop bought options (much cheaper and healthier too!)

For your grazing board, our suggestions are:

• Tzatziki
• Guacamole
• Baba Ganoush
• Hummus
• Pesto

We have recipes for all of these dips on the Online Programme. However, if you wish to buy your own, make sure the ingredients are high-quality and what you’d expect to find in your fridge!

Healthy fats for a healthy grazing platter!

What’s a grazing platter without cheese? Choose a variety of soft and harder cheeses, but don’t go overboard.

Nuts are also fantastic to add on for an extra hit of fat and fibre and olives are a great option and packed with flavour too.

Something sweet

Low-sugar fruits, like berries, are great additions to your grazing board – they look fantastic too! Avoid both tropical and dried fruits, if you can as fresh is always best to keep blood sugars steady.

Here are some top tips for a healthy grazing platter from The Fast 800 nutritionist:

• Always use a plate to serve up. You don’t need to be going back and forth, using your fingers and losing track of portion sizes. Simply add to your plate and stick to your usual portion sizes.
• Enjoy plenty of low-calorie, non-starchy vegetables – aim to fill your plate and eat these first. Then, balance your plate with healthy fats and protein to ensure you’re still enjoying a balanced meal.
• Keep refined carbs to a minimum and make sure you’re eating enough protein and healthy fats. This can be a little more difficult when it comes to grazing boards; however, if there’s a meat option, make sure to add it to your plate. Good sources of healthy fats that you’re likely to find on grazing boards include nuts and cheese.
• Make one or two “fancier” items that look fabulous – ie. Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus, Meatballs, Falafels, Pigs in Blankets, Prawn Cocktails, Halloumi Kebabs (all available on the Online Programme).
• Always put small plates on the table – this encourages people to take a small plate and move on – that way your grazing board doesn’t have you “grazing” all day. When everyone has finished (if there’s any left!) pop into a Tupperware and save for future lunches.