Can a snack plate count as a meal?

Absolutely, when you include protein, fat, fiber, and carbs, you’re hitting all the major macros. Plus a variety of fruits and veggies rounds out the meal with micronutrients.

What’s the best way to store a snack plate for meal prep?

Use a divided lunch container or bento box , store dips separately and keep crackers in a zip-top bag until you’re ready to eat to keep them crisp.

How do I make a snack plate feel more grown-up or elevated?

Go for 2-3 cheeses, one hard and sharp and another soft and mild, specialty crackers, and fun extras like pickled red onions, fig jam, spicy olives, pickled jalapeños, grainy mustard. Garnish with herbs or microgreens and a drizzle of olive oil and/or honey.

Are snack plates healthy?

They can be! A dietitian-approved snack plate includes a variety of food groups, fiber, and enough protein and fat to keep you full.

A Dietitian's Guide to the Ultimate Snack Plate (+ free PDF!)

Description

A good snack plate is low-effort, high-reward. Whether you’re throwing one together for yourself, your kids, or a crowd, they’re endlessly customizable and totally satisfying. Save this post and refer back when you need a no-cook lunch idea, an easy dinner option, or a fresh twist on your afternoon snack.

Ingredients

On my snack plate:

radishes
snap peas
cucumbers
apple slices
medjool dates
natural creamy peanut butter
cornichon pickles
castelvetrano olives
hard-boiled eggs
sharp cheese pick: unexpected cheddar
mild cheese pick: muenster
grass-fed salted butter
flaky sea salt
green goddess seasoning
whole grain crackers
dark chocolate chips

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Instructions

Method:

Fill at least half of your plate with a variety of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Pick a protein, it should be about the size of your palm, or 25% of your plate real estate.
Add something briney like a few pickles or olives.
Choose a 1-2 tablespoon portion of healthy fat and arrange it on your plate.
Season up your veggies, eggs, cheese, yogurt, etc. with your seasonings of choice.
Arrange a carbohydrate food on the final portion of your plate, about 25% of the plate or the size of your fist.
Something sweet! Now, this isn’t mandatory, but I love a square of dark chocolate or a few chocolate chips on my snack plate to satisfy my sweet tooth!

The combos I ate with this snack plate:

apple + peanut butter
apple + cheese
radish + butter + flaky sea salt
veggies + green goddess seasoning
cracker + cheese + pickle
cucumber + hard boiled egg + pickle
cracker + butter + hard-boiled egg
castelvetrano olive + cheese
date + cheese (omg AMAZING)
date + butter + flaky sea salt (also amazing)
date + peanut butter + chocolate chips

SO GOOD.

Notes

Trader Joe’s is an excellent spot to pick up a variety of tasty and inexpensive snack board items! You can my full Trader Joe’s grocery list here.

If you include cheese, pick one sharp and hard cheese like extra sharp cheddar or Parmesan and one softer or more mild option like Boursin, Gouda, or mild cheddar.

I calculated the nutrition info for this specific plate, but nutrition facts will vary massively depending on the types of food, brands, and quantity that you choose!

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Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 plate calculated with 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 3 dates, 1 tablespoon butter, 1oz cheese, 4 large crackers and 2 eggs
Calories: 710
Sugar: 48.6 g
Sodium: 903.9 mg
Fat: 37.9 g
Carbohydrates: 73.6 g
Fiber: 9.1 g
Protein: 26.4 g
Cholesterol: 415.3 mg