Leanne Ward – The Fitness Dietitian
  • Home
  • Blog
    • Recipes
      • Breakfast
      • Main Meals
      • Treats
      • Snacks
      • Drinks
    • Fitness
      • Hikes
    • Nutrition
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Shop
  • Services
  • About Leanne
  • My account

Leanne Ward – The Fitness Dietitian

Nourish. Sweat. Discover.

  • Home
  • Blog
    • Recipes
      • Breakfast
      • Main Meals
      • Treats
      • Snacks
      • Drinks
    • Fitness
      • Hikes
    • Nutrition
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Shop
  • Services
  • About Leanne
  • My account
0
LifestyleNutrition

How to make an epic cheese platter

by Leanne Ward March 23, 2018
written by Leanne Ward March 23, 2018
How to make an epic cheese platter

My friends call me the cheese platter queen and I’ll happily take that title. My mum has been making EPIC cheese platters for as long as I can remember and I’ve grown up happily munching on them. The key to an epic cheese platter however is to get the perfect mix of ingredients so it’s not only tasty but also healthy. Thanks mum for teaching me the art of the perfect platter!

To make your healthy and delicious platter, these are my top 5 tips:

  1. Make sure there are HEAPS of colourful veggies on the platter. I love to use carrot sticks, celery sticks, snow peas, red capsicum, grilled pumpkin, grilled zucchini, grilled mushrooms, olives and cherry or sun dried tomatoes.
  2. Make sure the crackers you use are wholegrain as the extra fibre will fill people up more. Also, don’t put too many crackers out as it forces people to eat more of the veggie sticks (sorry it’s the dietitian in me!)
  3. I LOVE CHEESE but limit cheese to 2 types only – if weight loss is your goal then too much cheese will stall your progress. Sometimes I even buy two types of cheese but only use half the brie and half the cheddar for example and save the rest for another platter. Generally people don’t even notice when I only serve half cheese round.
  4. Add some healthy dips on the platter to dip the veggie sticks in – think hommus, tzatziki, salsa or avocado dip. Even better – make your own – beetroot, tomato relish or a spicy capsicum can all be done in your own blender!
  5. Fresh fruit is not only pleasing to the eye but it’s a natural sugar hit which keeps people satisfied and stops any cravings. My favorite fruits to add to a cheese platter are strawberries, blueberries, grapes, dragon fruit, passion fruit, kiwi fruit and pineapple.

There you have it – my top 5 tips to create colourful, nourishing and delicious cheese platters for you and your family and friends to enjoy all year round. Now my final tip which isn’t listed above is especially for my busy/ uncreative tribe. It involves enlisting the help of a professional! One of my best friends had her birthday the other day and we wanted to make it extra special for her so we enlisted the help of the lads from My Alter Ego Catering – if you have a special occasion (in Brisbane, GC or Sunny Coast) and need that professional touch – give these guys a call – they were amazing… and no they didn’t pay me to say this – we were just super impressed with their work! (see the below photo for an epic spread!)

Leave me any questions below or send this to your family/ friends who could use some cheese platter tips from the queen herself! hehe xo

Related

cheesecheese platterfruithealthhealthyhealthy foodhealthy food ideashealthy recipehigh fibreplatterthe fitness dietitanvegetablesveggiesweightloss
0 comment
1
FacebookTwitterGoogle +Pinterest
Leanne Ward

previous post
Chia Co Challenge – Vegan White Chocolate and Butter Bean Muffins with Raspberry and Chia Jam
next post
How to survive Easter and still maintain a healthy lifestyle

You may also like

Why you should eat nuts DAILY and their...

October 21, 2018

12 week ‘LOVE LIVING LEAN’ program – FAQs

October 1, 2018

Nuts and Weight Management

September 2, 2018

Nutritionists top 5 tips for busy people

June 25, 2018

How to beat sugar cravings

June 16, 2018

5 easy ways to get you moving at...

May 14, 2018

Gut Loving Kombucha Maple Bircher

April 14, 2018

How to survive Easter and still maintain a...

March 28, 2018

How to prevent binge eating and beat sugar...

March 11, 2018

Leanne’s Top 5 Weight Loss Tips as Seen...

March 1, 2018

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Recent Posts

  • The most delicious vegetarian satay tofu fried rice you’ll ever eat!

    December 13, 2018
  • Tasty overnight protein berry oats (meal prep friendly)

    December 13, 2018
  • Delicious protein slice with tahini and YoPRO yoghurt

    December 11, 2018

New Products!

  • 10 Proven Steps to Heal Your Body and Your Relationship with Food Forever! (E-Book)
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $19.99
  • Infusion Bottle - with fruit infuser and motivational times Infusion Bottle - BPA free with fruit infuser and motivational times
    Rated 5.00 out of 5
    $19.99

@The_Fitness_Dietitian

  • 🔥 HOW TO GET CONFIDENT AF  IN 3 EASY STEPS🔥
.
.
1️⃣ LOVE YOURSELF! You were created as an individual on this earth so know that your beauty is completely different to anyone else’s beauty! Stop judging, stop comparing & stop trying to mould yourself into something you’re not. Play to your strengths & stop trying to fix your weaknesses. I used to cry over my big feet when I was younger until my mum told me how silly I’d look being 6ft tall with tiny feet. Lesson learnt, thanks mum 💕
.
.
2️⃣ OWN YOUR OWN SHIT! We’re not perfect, we all make mistakes so own it when you do. Apologise when you need to & know that the best lessons in life come when you get back up after you fall down ✨ Confidence doesn’t come from being the smartest, the prettiest or the most wealthy. Confidence comes from within when you are at peace with your entire being & you are accepting of this beautiful life you’ve been grated! (Note: let go of the perfectionist within you & learn to unapologetically love the weirdo inside of you - trust me this helps)!✨
.
.
3️⃣ TURN A NEGATIVE thought or situation into a POSITIVE one. When you learn to do this, two amazing things happen. Firstly, others notice your positivity then your brain notices and starts to think differently and act different. Negative thoughts create negative emotions which create negative behaviours. If you want to be confident, ACT confident & think positive thoughts ... you’ll create a whole cascade of positive behaviours ❤️
.
.
What’s your biggest tip for self confidence? Tell me below 👇🏼👇🏼👇🏼
.
.
.
.
.
.
#confidence #loveyourself #gains #girlsthatlift #strongnotskinny #bikinigirl #fitchicks
  • ❗️GIANT HIGH PROTEIN, LOW CARB, NO BAKE COOKIE FOR 1!!! ❗️
.
.
It’s a healthy protein almond cookie that you don’t even need to cook 👊🏼💃🏼
.
.
I purchase my protein powder, coconut flour & almonds from my local @thesourcebulkfoods #ad
.
.
Note: You can use any flavour protein powder you like, any nut type or any type of milk you like but it may affect the overall nutritional value 😆
.
.
My cookie recipe makes 1 large cookie & has (depending on brands used) 185 calories per large cookie with 6g carbs, 4g fat & 28g protein 👏🏼😍 .
.
Do you want the 6 ingredient recipe for my giant, low carb, high protein, no bake cookie?! 🙊Comment below & if I get 200 comments, I’ll post the recipe for you guys! 💃🏼💃🏼 Get commenting 👇🏼👇🏼 .
.
EDIT RECIPE UPDATE:
Ingredients:
30g natural vanilla whey protein powder 
1 tbsp coconut flour 
1/2 tsp vanilla bean paste 
3-4 tsp almond milk 
5 almonds, finely chopped .
.
How to make your cookie:
In a small bowl, combine the protein powder & the coconut flour. Add the vanilla bean paste & the almond milk (slowly) and stir until a very thick sticky dough is formed. Line a small plate with non stick baking paper & place the mixture onto the plate forming a large cookie shape. If it sticks to your hand, try wetting your hand first. Sprinkle with chopped almonds and press into the cookie. Pop in the freezer for 20-30 mins until hard. Enjoy straight from the freezer (If it gets to room temperature it gets too sticky). Enjoy!!!
.
.
.
.
#healthyfood #highprotein #cookie #lowcarb #weightlosstips #mealprep #healthyrecipe @thesourcebulkfoodsbulimba
  • Shout out to all the ladies & men who are by themselves this Valentine’s Day! ❤️Remember you don’t need someone to be loved! 💕 Being loved starts from within & you can’t be truly loved by someone with your whole heart until you start by loving yourself first! 👏🏼 Start with self love FIRST & go pamper yourself #TreatYoSelf 👊🏼💃🏼✨ .
.
Ps... @davidtpitt & I are totally fine, I just wanted to show a little love & appreciation for every women (and man!) out there - single or taken - you’re a GIFT to this earth. NEVER FORGET THAT ❤️ .
.
.
#valentinesday #love #selflove #truth #confidence #selfie #quoteoftheday
  • At the gym the other day I heard a lady complaining about some girl wearing “shorts that were too short & tight in the gym” Well I’m here to remind you that it’s your body, your life & your decision! 👏🏼Wear what makes you happy girl!! ☺️ 💃🏼
.
.
Sometimes I live in my pj’s or bikini, others days I train in a crop top & tights or shorts & a shirt or in winter, I rug right up & cover every inch up! 🤣 Don’t ever let the opinion of another keep you from wearing what you feel comfortable in! It’s your body & your choice! You do you boo ♥ #LoveYourBody #DoWhatMakesYouHappy #BodyConfidence #SelfLove #happiness
  • 10 AMAZING reasons to get fit: .
.
❤️ Health benefits 💊
.
.
💜 Better sleep 💤
.
.
🧡 Self confidence 🥰
.
.
💙 De-stress 💆🏻‍♀️
.
.
💛 Become stronger 💪🏼
.
.
💚 Have more energy 💃🏼
.
.
❤️ Improve your mood 🙃
.
.
💜 Improve your metabolism 🔥
.
.
🧡 Raise your quality of life 💁🏻‍♀️
.
.
💙 Increase your life expectancy 👵🏼
.
.
Tell me why you exercise below 👇🏼👇🏼
.
.
.
.
.
.
#exercise #motivation #fitspo #girlsthatlift #strongnotskinny #inspiration #progressnotperfection
  • 🔥SAVE THIS PHOTO 🔥How to build the perfect salad to keep you feeling full for hours ‼️ .
.
Contrary to popular belief, salads don’t need to leave you feeling hungry or unsatisfied - you just need to know how to build them properly & load them up with nourishing goodness! 🙌🏼
.
.
Step 1️⃣ Start with a base of colourful veggies & salads such as lettuce, kale, tomato, cucumber, red cabbage, carrot, snow peas, blueberries or celery - these provide fibre, vitamins & minerals 👌🏼Fibre provides bulk to your stools & slows your stomach digestion helping you to stay fuller for longer 😁
.
.
Step 2️⃣ Add lean protein eg. Chicken breast, tuna, tofu, eggs, turkey, pork, beans, tempeh or nuts (nuts contain protein as well as being full of healthy fats 🤓). Protein supports your muscles stores which can support your metabolism 👌🏼 It also helps you to stay fuller & more satisfied for longer 🙃
.
.
Step 3️⃣ Next add a serve of carbohydrates. I chose roasted sweet potato but you can also try basmati rice, brown rice, quinoa, white potato (skin on), wholegrain pasta, beans etc 👏🏼 Carbs are the bodies easiest fuel source & if you’re particularly active, you might choose a little extra carbs or alternatively, if you’re fairly inactive, you might choose a little less carbs👌🏼
.
.
Step 4️⃣ Finally, add a serve of healthy fats. I chose a 30g serving of roasted nuts as I love the crunch they provide in a salad! You could also choose avocado, olive oil or other types of nuts or seeds. Fat is essential for our bodily functions and it also helps us to feel satiated after our meals ✔️ .
.
💡Did you know nuts have been shown to actually help you maintain a healthy body weight & not cause weight gain! The fats, fibre & protein in nuts help satisfy your appetite so you eat less food overall and because nuts are so tasty - the research shows that people stick to their healthy eating plans longer and achieve greater success! Regular nut consumption has also been linked to a lower risk of developing diabetes👏🏼💃🏼
.
.
Posting in partnership with @nuts_for_life 👏🏼 Tag a friend below you think this would help 👇🏼👇🏼
.
.
.
.
.
.
#sponsored #healthyhandful #salad #healthyeating #healthyfood
  • ⚡️Do you struggle with emotional eating or eating when you're bored? ⚡️
.
.
If you do, try and pick 3 "interference" foods (this may give your mind enough time to realise you're not truly hungry - just emotional, bored, stressed etc.)
.
.
These 'interference' foods are healthy, low energy foods (fresh is best) or drinks which you must commit to eating before you launch into eating your "treat" food.
.
.
The reason I recommend doing this is to give your brain time to recognise WHY you’re craving a certain food & work through those feelings 👊🏼
.
.
Examples of my 3 interference foods are: 1 stalk celery, 1 cup green tea & 1 carrot. Chances are, by the time you finish all of these 3 items, you won't even want your treat food anymore or even better, you will have realised your eating for emotions sake (and that you're not truly hungry!) and go busy yourself somewhere else - besides the kitchen! 😉
.
.
Hopefully this has helped a few of you & you can start to practise it immediately! Let me know what you thought of this strategy below 👇🏼👇🏼
.
.
Ps... for all those asking - my gorgeous dress is from @sidestreet & their @luv_boho_ range 💕💕
.
.
#nutritiontips #wellness #emotionaleating #weightlossjourney #healthylifestyle #progressnotperfection
  • START NOW! What ever it is you’ve been putting off, stop waiting for the perfect time & just start! .
.
♥ Start with where you are.
♥ Start with what you have.
♥ Start with fear.
♥ Start with pain.
♥ Start with anxiety.
♥ Start with doubt.
.
.
JUST START... and DON’T YOU DARE STOP ♥ .
.
#thefitnessdietitian #screwperfect #life
  • ⚡️ Breaking up your perfectly curated Instagram feed with REAL LIFE ⚡️
.
.
Women’s bodies HAVE cellulite 
Women’s bodies HAVE dimples 
Women’s bodies HAVE scars 
Women’s bodies HAVE rolls 
Women’s bodies HAVE stretch marks .
.
Women’s bodies ARE DIFFERENT 
Women’s bodies ARE BEAUTIFUL
Women’s bodies ARE STRONG 
Women’s bodies ARE DESERVING
Women’s bodies ARE LOVED ❤️❤️❤️ .
.
Self love is hard - especially in this day and age with edited & posed photos all over social media. Stop for a second & remind yourself of a few things you love about your body & you are grateful for 🙏🏻 #selflove #everybodyisbeautiful #kindness

Categories

  • Breakfast (11)
  • Drinks (1)
  • Fitness (4)
  • Hikes (2)
  • Lifestyle (7)
  • Main Meals (7)
  • Nutrition (17)
  • Recipes (22)
  • Snacks (17)
  • Travel (4)
  • Treats (14)
  • Uncategorized (4)

Search

Search

Translate

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Snapchat

© 2017 - 2019 - Leanne Ward Nutrition Pty Ltd ACN 631 399 696 as Trustee for The Ward Trust.
All Rights Reserved.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.


Back To Top