Whether you’re entertaining for a special occasion, hanging out with the family for movie night, or just lazing around on the weekend, a charcuterie board is the perfect snack solution. Because let’s be honest — snacks can get even the most well-intentioned Trim Healthy Mama in trouble! I’ll show you how to make a THM charcuterie board to help you stay on-plan while entertaining or snacking. It’s so easy to create a beautiful array of healthy, THM-friendly snacks!

Are you wondering what in the world is a charcuterie board? I just recently learned about these wonderful snacktastic things and we’ve been enjoying them on our Sabbaths. They are perfect for no-cooking days! They are also a gorgeous addition to your party buffet.

The French word for a person who prepares charcuterie is charcutier, generally translated as “pork butcher”. This has led to the mistaken belief that charcuterie can only involve pork. The Food Lover’s Companion, however, says, “it refers to the products, particularly (but not limited to) pork specialties such as pâtés, rillettes, galantines,crépinettes, etc., which are made and sold in a delicatessen-style shop, also called a charcuterie.” The 1961 edition of Larousse Gastronomique defines it as “[t]he art of preparing various meats, in particular pork, in order to present them in the most diverse ways.” [Source.]

We’re a no-pork household so that description totally turns me off! Thankfully these days a charcuterie can include whatever you want.

Think of charcuterie board as a fancy way to say “appetizer plate.” It’s a board, platter, or other serving surface typically loaded up with meats, cheeses, crackers, and other snack-type foods.

And it can get us THMs in trouble!

Looking around on Pinterest you’ll see almost every imaginable combination of foods on a charcuterie board. So let’s build a Trim Healthy Mama version and stay on-plan!

How to Make A THM Charcuterie Board

You can get super fancy with your charcuterie board or just throw together whatever you have on hand. You can build a huge one or just a single serving size for those rare occasions when you’re home by yourself with a good book or movie.

Yeah, I know…when does that actually happen?

You’ll need just a few things. Something to serve on, some THM-friendly finger foods, and a little creativity. Not creative? No problem! You can just throw some stuff together and call it good.

I love how elaborate or simple a healthy charcuterie board can be. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need:

1. A Serving Surface — Pick Your Platter

This can be an actual board (great for huge crowds), a marble serving board, a platter, vintage serving plates from your grandmother, or a simple cutting board.

The size you need will depend on…

1. How many people will you be serving?
2. What foods will you want to put on your charcuterie board?
3. How many times do you want to refill it (or not 😉 )

2. Trim Healthy Mama Plan-Friendly Finger Foods — Choose a Fuel Type!

You’ll of course want to pick a THM Fuel Type right off the bat. If you’re entertaining, THM S is typically ideal. You can still include leaner S options if your guests prefer.

Some Tasty THM S options include:

• Cheeses
• Deli meats
• Non-starchy veggies and dips
• My Easy Homemade Yogurt Cheese with Cilantro, Garlic, and Lime
• Nuts and seeds (particularly activated, learn why here) try these Roasted Sugar and Spice Pepitas
• Fresh berries
• Homemade, on-plan crackers like these Cheddar Garlic Cheese Crisps
• Baked Pepperoni Chips
• Buffalo Celery Bites

What if you want some THM E snacks?

• String cheese sticks, cut into rounds for bite size portions
• Lean deli meats
• Low-fat or fat-free dips made with Greek yogurt (such as my Creamy Cajun Ranch Dip)
• Apple slices and low-fat or fat-free fruit dip made with Greek yogurt like this Easy 3 Ingredient Apple Dip
• Grapes, mangoes, blueberries, pineapple, peaches – any E fruit
• Air-popped popcorn
• Finger sandwiches made with sprouted bread, lean deli meat, and my Low Fat Mayo
• Salsa and baked tortilla chips
• Sprouted bread squares spread with Spiced Peach Preserves or your favorite on-plan jam or jelly
• Buffalo Celery Bites (made FP style, ideally with fat free option) 

Is a THM FP charcuterie board even possible? Absolutely!

While a FP (Fuel Pull) may be better suited for solo snacking, if you’re having a THM get together with many other THM treats to try it’s a great option.

• Non-starchy veggies and fat-free dips, like this Roasted Garlic and Chive Dip
• Lean deli meat wrapped around pickles
• Perfect Pinwheels (made with Wonder Wraps)
• Berries
• Mini FP muffins
• Pickled veggies of all kinds (how about some spicy, naturally fermented jalapenos to rev up that metabolism?)
• Egg salad made with egg whites and my Low Fat Mayo served in lettuce cups or mini peppers
• Buffalo Celery Bites (made FP style, ideally with fat free option)

You can also go Crossover or S Helper and have a variety of S and E foods to choose from. This would allow your guests to decide how they want to eat.

As always, be sure to check the THM Plan Book for clarification if you need it. It’s the best source of accurate plan information (aside from chatting over Trimmies with Pearl and Serene, of course)!

While fresh fruits and veggies are terrific, adding lactofermented condiments suitable for your selected THM Fuel Type is also a great way to get those healthy probiotics into your snack sessions. Check out this huge list of fermented condiments from Traditional Cooking School!

3. Get Creative — Or Not!

If you’re entertaining you may want to choose foods centered around a particular theme. Think Mexican, Italian, Asian, or Southern favorites. Or perhaps a favorite book or movie will inspire you.  Finally, the occasion itself may ask for a theme, such as a baby shower or graduation.

You can practice your knife skills and create beautiful radish roses or other fancy creations out of fresh produce. Carve the Eiffel Tower out of cheese. Build a London cityscape with Tower Bridge spanning your serving platter.

Ok maybe that’s getting carried away, but you could if you wanted to. What does Danny say? What if you could, right?

Maybe you don’t feel creative or are petrified of cutting off a finger. That’s fine too! Just throw together whatever healthy THM snacky foods you have. This is perfect for just munching with the family on movie night or on your own (just in case you ever find yourself with some down time).

But, I do encourage you to try something fancy for your family, and even for yourself. Why not treat them (and YOU) as well as guests, right?

And somebody out there needs to hear me — YOU need to treat yo self now and then too. You are worth it. Just make sure those treats are on plan and make yourself a beautiful spread to leisurely enjoy.

Let’s Make A THM Charcuterie Board!

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How to Make a THM Charcuterie Board

From single serve to party perfection, here's how to get your THM Charcuterie on with a beautiful presentation of THM friendly snacks. Perfect for movie night, entertaining or just lazy weekends.

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Materials

• A board, platter, plate or other large serving surface sufficient to hold enough food for the number of people you wish to serve (with minimal refills if possible)
• Finger-foods appropriate for the Trim Healthy Mama Fuel Type you desire and/or theme you have in mind
• Small decorative bowls, cups, or other containers for serving dips and sauces
• Herbs, kale, edible flowers, etc. for garnish as desired

Tools

• Paring knife
• Cheese knife
• Other sharp knives such as a chef's knife
• Vegetable peeler
• Melon baller
• Ice cream or cookie scoop

Instructions

1. Decide what THM Fuel Type you'd like to serve
2. Choose foods that fit within the guidelines for the Fuel Type you've chosen
3. Decide on a theme (optional)
4. Choose a serving surface such as a board, platter, large plate, etc.
5. Cut and arrange finger foods, dips, spreads, etc. on your serving surface
6. Enjoy!

Here's a refresher on the THM Fuel Types:

• THM S - low carb, healthy fats
• THM E - low fat, healthy carbs
• THM FP - low fat, low carb
• THM S Helper - S fats, just a bit over on carbs
• THM Crossover - S fats, E carbs

Notes

Fun ideas for themes might include:

1. Mexican
2. Italian
3. Mediterranean
4. Asian
5. Favorite book or movie
6. Savories
7. Sweets
8. Rainbow colors
9. In-season and local foods
10. Hot and spicy

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Charcuterie Board with 4 Cheese Knives Plus Ceramic Bowl
• 
  Ramekins 8 oz - Set of 8 Square, Porcelain Ramekins, Ramekins
• 
  Solander Skelf Cheese Slicer, Cutter, Wire Cutter, Spreader Knife

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