Summer is in full swing, which can mean beach days, vacations and, most of all, potlucks.
Whether your event is for work, a family gathering, or a casual get-together with friends, a lot of food will probably be involved. For people trying to get healthier, gatherings like these can feel like a source of stress due to lack of control. But they don’t have to. There’s room for all foods in any healthy eating pattern.
Here are 5 ways to help you host a fool-proof potluck this season:
The first thing to do when planning a gathering where there will be food is to ask guests if they have any food allergies or dietary restrictions. Even if you’ve known your neighbors for decades, you may not remember that they have an allergy to tree nuts or that they have recently started a vegan diet. Keep a list of any allergies or restrictions and have them in mind when you plan your menu so you know there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
2. Plan with a Balanced Plate in Mind
One of the easiest ways to keep your food intake more balanced when you’re having an out-of-the-ordinary meal—at a restaurant, potluck, or otherwise—is to think of the USDA’s MyPlate guidelines. At its core, MyPlate refers to a balanced plate being 25% covered by protein (such as meat, eggs, fish, legumes, or tofu), 25% covered by carbohydrates (such as grains or starchy vegetables), and 50% covered by fruits and vegetables. Especially in a buffet-style setting, this can be helpful to quickly and easily gauge how to have a filling, healthy, and enjoyable meal with what’s available.
3. Offer Lots of Fruit and Veggie Sides
Many fruits and vegetables are in-season in the summer, which makes it a great time to take advantage of their ripe, fresh flavors. Plus, they can be quick and easy to make. Check out these veggie-packed summer potluck sides that take 30 minutes or less to pull together. And there’s nothing wrong with serving a platter of fruit over ice with some citrus zest—it’s delicious, nutritious, and takes less than 5 minutes. This can also make it easier to follow the MyPlate recommendations of having half your plate full of produce.
4. Provide Ample Drink Options
Staying hydrated is super important, especially in the warmer weather months. To help keep guests cool, offer a variety of drink options, like water infused with citrus, herbs, or cucumber, seltzer water with a variety of 100% fruit juices to add a splash of flavor, brewed and chilled teas, or even blended frozen fruit drinks. And if you’re serving alcohol, make sure to have at least a few nonalcoholic options and ample water so people can moderate their consumption. Be mindful of sugar-sweetened beverages like sweet tea, soda, or high-added-sugar mixers as sugar-sweetened drinks are the main source of added sugar in the standard American diet.
5. Stock Up on To-Go Containers for Guests
Potlucks typically have a lot of food. Ideally, everyone brings a dish to share. To avoid having more leftovers than you can get through and the resulting food waste, stock up on to-go containers prior to the party. That way, you can easily send guests home with their favorites, which will make them happy and spare you the fridge space. It’s a win-win.
The Bottom Line
Potlucks should be fun, not stressful. A healthy eating pattern refers to what you do most of the time, and no one is perfect 100% of the time. If you have a meal that is less balanced than usual or if you feel like you’ve gotten offtrack, note it, and then move on to get back into your healthy routine.
©2023 Amplified Life Network
