For many of my clients, social events are the most difficult eating situations to navigate.
They’re having fun and special time with friends and family… but there’s a cheese plate (or tortilla bowl) that they JUST. CAN’T. STOP. EATING.
In today’s blog post, I’m sharing with you some healthy ideas for entertaining – delicious ideas for summer barbecues, family hangouts around the fire pit, potlucks, and beach picnics. I’m especially focusing on sides and snacks, so that you can bring something to a barbecue if you’re not hosting.
You’ll know that at least if there’s no other healthy choices at a social event, you’ll have the one thing you brought… and you can fill up on something other than tortilla chips!
Recipes
Sweet and Smoky Shredded Brussels Sprouts Slaw – Real Food Dietitians
Healthy Buffalo Chicken Dip – Clean Eating Couple
Healthy Fruit Pizza – Fit Foodie Finds
Layered Shawarma Dip – Real Food Dietitians
Strawberry Cheesecake Dip – Skinnytaste
Black Bean and Corn Salsa with Avocado – Real Food Dietitians
Spinach and Cannellini Bean Dip – Food Network (Giada de Laurentiis)
Keep in mind that if you bring a dip of some kind, you can also bring something like sliced vegetables or rice cakes to make frequent dipping a little lighter.
Cookbook Recommendation
I also want to recommend Melissa Hartwig Urban’s Whole30 cookbook for special occasions, which includes 150 recipes and healthy mocktails. This is helpful because sometimes it’s not the food that’s the issue – it’s that you need some alternate ideas for adult beverages!
Product Recommendations
Bringing snacks to a summer party doesn’t necessarily require cooking… here are some pre-made (or whole food) items that can be great additions to a social event, with Amazon links included.
Poppi Prebiotic Sparkling Soda
Mary’s Gone Garlic Rosemary Crackers
The Good Bean Chili Lime Chickpeas
Urban Accents Greek Tzatziki Delish Dip Mix – just add nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Homemade PB fruit dip – peanut butter + nonfat plain Greek yogurt + stevia
Watermelon
Fruit plate
Veggie plate