There’s no question that charcuterie boards are currently all the rage. While it’s certainly not a new idea—in fact, charcuterie style eating dates back to the 15th century in France, according to TimesColonist.com—social media has blown this trend up. Whether for the holidays or just an everyday get-together, a classic charcuterie board is a great way to entertain.
While these delicious spreads are a ton of fun, they’re not necessarily known for being terribly healthy. After all, Oxford Languages defines charcuterie as “cold cooked meats.” A charcuterie board is traditionally known for featuring a wide variety of cured meats and cheeses.
But that’s not to say that you must be resigned to certain choices. There are certainly ways to boost the nutrition power and make a healthy, low-calorie charcuterie board with ingredients that you and your guests will still love. Here are a few of our best tips.
Step 1: Make wise low-calorie cheese choices.
Cheese is pretty much a staple of the charcuterie board and probably not something you want to skip entirely. But you can make smarter cheese choices in order to keep your board healthy. Look for reduced-fat versions when you can. And remember—like everything else, it’s all about moderation. A little bit of your favorite cheese is not going to derail your diet. It’s only when you go overboard that it starts to become a problem. If you have a favorite cheese, work it into the board but when you go to load up your plate, just limit how many pieces you take.
Step 2: Load up on fruits and raw veggies.
One way to increase the health power of your charcuterie board is to make sure it’s amply packed with fresh fruits and raw veggies. Grapes that are still on the vine make a lovely and colorful addition to any board. But you can also chop up any of your favorite, seasonal fruits to add to your display. Rainbow carrots, mini bell peppers, radishes, cherry tomatoes and sliced cucumbers are charcuterie board essentials.
Be sure to include a variety of healthy dipping options for your veggies including low-fat dressing, hummus or maybe even peanut butter. Use your imagination and get creative! After all, one of the things that makes charcuterie so much fun is the chance to try some new things. Having lots of fun dips will make it easy to eat more of the healthy choices. You might even add some yogurt dip for the fruit!
Check out these 20 healthy dip recipes for the perfect quick and easy appetizer! >
Step 3: Choose whole grain crackers.
The crackers or mini bread slices that are often found on charcuterie platters can create a carb loading dilemma. It’s very easy to quickly fill up on these less-than-stellar choices.
You can make healthier cracker selections like whole grain or whole wheat options which will add more fiber to your board. Look for cracker or bread choices that contain a whole grain as the first ingredient. You can also look for some sprouted seed or nut crackers for a gourmet, crunchy twist!
If you want to go the extra mile, you could even tackle making crackers on your own. These Sweet Potato Crackers or these Pumpkin Cranberry Crackers would make excellent additions to your platter. Making your own components allows you to be in total control of the ingredients you eat.
The 7 Best Exercises for Weight Loss
Read MoreStep 4: Don’t overload the board with meats.
Cured meats often make up a large portion of a traditional charcuterie board. The problem with many cured meats is that they are typically high in salt content and contain nitrates. To make your board healthier, limit the number of cured and deli meats you feature and try to use low-sodium options without any added honey or sugar.
Even better, replace them with a healthier choice. In place of salami or pepperoni, perhaps use some deli-style smoked turkey. Or maybe you can include some lean proteins like grilled shrimp or blackened grilled chicken, sliced in thin strips. Again, get creative and think outside of the box.
Step 5: Pack it with additional protein.
In addition to some healthier meat choices, you might also consider making your charcuterie board protein-packed with some healthy choices like hard-boiled egg slices or nuts. You could even consider adding some roasted chickpeas.
At the end of the day, the choices are yours. There are no hard-and-fast rules to charcuterie boards that you have to follow. In fact, one of the best aspects of creating a board yourself is the option to get creative and make it truly your own. When you’re in control of the ingredients, you can make sure that your board is delicious and nutritious.
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The post How to Make a Healthy Charcuterie Board appeared first on The Leaf.
Frequently Asked Questions
What herb melts body fat?
While it is not possible to lose weight with diet, herbs can be a great way to burn calories. Many people have used herbs for this purpose throughout history. Some of them include; Green tea, Ginko Biloba, Ginger root, Ginseng, Hawthorn berry, Licorice root, Milk Thistle seed, Mullein leaf, Rosemary, St John's Wort, Turmeric, Valerian Root, and Yohimbe bark.
The herbs can be used topically or orally. They contain nutrients that increase the metabolic rate of the body. These nutrients increase the rate at which glycogen stores are broken down and lipids within cells. This causes the release in the bloodstream of free fatty oils, which can then used to burn as fuel.
The immune system can be boosted and diseases prevented by herbal remedies. This makes them ideal if you don't want drugs or surgery.
People use herbs because of their effectiveness. Some people don't realize the power these natural substances have. Herbs can be purchased at health food stores, pharmacies, and online. A single dose of herbs will usually last several weeks.
Green tea is a good example of a herb that increases the metabolism rate. Green tea has epigallocatechin gallate, which is a compound that increases the activity in enzymes responsible to breaking down fats. EGCG has also been proven to improve glucose tolerance. This is a way that EGCG can lower the risk of developing diabetes.
Another example is ginger root. The stimulant properties of ginger root are similar to those of other stimulants. It boosts metabolism and stimulates the gastrointestinal tract. Ginger also helps to eliminate toxins in the digestive tract.
Other herbs that increase metabolism include ginseng, valerian root, licorice root and mullein leaf.
Most herbs can be taken as teas. This allows active ingredients to enter your bloodstream quickly. Take herbs internally only if you are under medical supervision. If you choose to consume herbs externally, make sure that you apply them directly to the affected area. Other areas could be affected or inflamed.
How to Use African Mango Extract
It is easy to take mango extract. You just need to cut open a fresh ripe mango and scoop the flesh into your blender bottle. Blend until smooth.
If you prefer a smoother pulp, you may strain it. Store in a cool dark place.
For future use, the pulp can be frozen. The pulp can be frozen so that you don't have a second batch to purchase when mango season returns.
How can I lose weight in 7 days at home?
Reduce calories and drink water. You should also exercise regularly. It's so simple! Sometimes you may feel tempted to skip meals. However, this is not a wise decision. Skipping meals will make you hungry later.
Don't starve yourself, either. You should keep track of the calories you eat and slowly increase it. For instance, if you normally consume 2,000 calories daily, then increase that number by 500 calories every day. You'll add 1,500 calories to you daily routine.
Many online resources are available to provide more details and advice on how to lose weight. Google is a great search engine. Just type in "how to lose weight quickly" and you'll see hundreds of results.
You can also visit local libraries to get more information. They typically offer free weekly seminars where diet experts talk about various topics related to weight loss.
Statistics
- Vitamin C:62% of the Daily Value (DV) (healthline.com)
- According to a 2014 review, even prescription weight loss pills don't work as well as you might assume. (healthline.com)
- After 10 weeks, the CQ-only group experienced an 8.8% decrease in body weight, and the CQ and AME group an 11.8% decrease, on average. (healthline.com)
- On average, they experienced 28 pounds (12.8 kg) of weight loss, a 6.4-inch (16.2-cm) reduction in waist circumference, and a 6.3% dip in body fat (5Trusted Source (healthline.com)
- Nature's Health Goji Berry – Lycium Berries – Maintain Vision Health – Jam-Packed with Vitamins A & C – 580 mg per Serving – 60 Veggie Capsules – Non-GMO Emerald Labs Goji Berry - 40% Polysaccharides - 60 Vegetable Capsules (amazon.com)
External Links
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- PubMed: Results from a National Survey on Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss in the United States
- African mango (IGOB131), a proprietary extract of Irvingia gabonensis that is effective in reducing bodyweight and improving metabolic parameters in overweight patients - PubMed
cdc.gov
healthline.com
webmd.com
How To
African Mango: Nutrients and Benefits.
Mangoes are exotic fruit that originated in tropical climates. They can be found all over the world. Mangoes are nutritious fruits high in vitamin C and potassium. They also contain fiber, calcium, iron, and magnesium. They are rich in antioxidants including beta-carotene (lutein), lutein zeaxanthin, alpha tocopherol, and lutein.
The mango tree grows best between 15degC (59degF) and 30degC (86degF). Mangoes will turn yellowish green when fully ripe. Unripe mango flesh is tender and juicy, but it becomes firmer and more dry as it ripens.
Mangoes are used in jams, pickles (ice cream), chutneys and pickles. In India, mango pulp is added to curries and rice dishes; in Thailand, it is added to stir-fried vegetables. Mangoes can be eaten fresh, dried or candied.
Healthy Vegetables & Fruits
Mangoes have long been used as a treatment for diabetes. Mangos are grown worldwide today. Mango trees come in many varieties, including Alphonso and Beni Suef, Bombay and Chaunsa.
Mangoes have a high water content and low calories which can help you shed weight. A medium-sized mango contains about 100 calories, and only 3g fat. This makes them one the healthiest fruit.
Mangoes are also packed with vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, E, K, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese, folate, pantothenic acid, niacin, thiamine, riboflavin, and biotin.
Mangoes are rich in phytochemicals. These plant compounds protect cells from damage due to free radicals. Free radicals, unstable molecules that can cause cell injury, are unstable molecules. Mangoes are excellent for protecting your brain, eyes, and heart.
Mangoes could be useful for those looking to lose weight, as they are high on water. Water is essential for maintaining your body's hydration and keeping you satisfied longer.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://slimbody.pw/20-holiday-desserts-to-sweeten-up-your-xmas-season/
https://slimbody.pw/exactly-how-to-make-a-healthy-and-balanced-charcuterie-board/
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