Planning A Balanced, Nutritious Wedding Menu

To say your wedding day is going to be stressful is probably an understatement. While you run from event to event, you might not have time to eat. By the time you get to you make it to dinner time, you’ll be starving-and so will your guests.

Eating a nutritious, balanced meal can help you maintain the energy and health you need to make it through the rest of your wedding day. Here are some tips for planning a wedding day menu that’s both nutritious and delicious.

Plan for Sufficient Vegetables and Fruits

According to ChooseMyPlate.gov, about half of your dinner plate should be made up of vegetables and fruits. There’s a good reason for this. Vegetables and fruits are packed with nutrients that help your body adequately perform all its functions.

Just look at the nutrients in a few common vegetables.

• Lettuce: This leafy green is a good source of vitamins like vitamin B6, which helps convert food into energy.
• Carrots: One carrot contains 203% of the daily value of vitamin A. Vitamin A is important for maintaining a healthy immune system.
• Spinach.:Spinach contains a wide variety of nutrients such as vitamin K, which helps build bones and prevent heart disease.

Including vegetables and fruits with your wedding menu doesn’t have to be boring. You could choose Caesar salads, vegetables and dip, or pan-seared vegetables. Other options include sautéed green beans or steamed asparagus. Fun fruit options include fruit and dip and fruit skewers.

Pick Whole Grains

Like vegetables, whole grain foods contain important nutrients such as protein, fiber, and minerals. The nutrients in whole grain foods promote healthy digestion and help prevent diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Unlike other kinds of grains, whole grain foods contain the entire grain: the germ, bran, and endosperm.

Whole grain foods can include brown rice, whole grain rolls, or quinoa. Ask your caterer about a whole grain menu option you can include with your wedding meal.

Choose a Healthy Protein

Protein is crucial for building bones, skin, and muscle. It quickly satisfies your hunger so you won’t feel the need to fill up on sweets and junk food. Adults should get between 10% and 35% of their daily calories from protein, according to WebMD.

When you think of protein, you probably think of chicken, steak, pork, or ham. Good protein sources also include seafood, eggs, beans, and nuts.

Work with your caterer to choose a filling protein option. Your guests will love a unique protein choice like smoked salmon, apple glazed pork loin roast, or stuffed chicken breast.

Provide Healthy Drink Options

Many drinks are packed with sugar, corn syrup, and artificial flavors. According to the American Heart Association, men should take in no more than 37.5 g of added sugar a day, and women should take in no more than 25 grams of added sugar a day. Just think of this: one can of cola contains a whopping 33 grams of sugar!

At a wedding party, guests expect to see sugary drinks on the menu. But it’s important to provide alternative drink options for guests who are trying to avoid excess sugar. Consider flavored water, for example, which has fewer calories and sugar than soda, punch, and alcoholic drinks.

Your wedding menu shouldn’t just taste good, but it should also make you and your guests feel good. Use these guidelines to create a balanced wedding menu.

To plan the ideal wedding menu, you’ll need to work with a caterer who is willing to customize your menu. Book your wedding dinner with McHale’s Events and Catering. We’re happy to plan a wedding menu that meets your nutritional needs.