Raising Your Snack Game!

Snacks! We can't get through a day (or seemingly, even a meeting) without them. Since the idea of the perfect snack may vary from person to person, I propose that we look instead to a snack idea that incorporates *all* the tastes and textures, is endlessly customizable, needs no utensils, and is Instagrammably (that's a word, right?) on-trend: the adult Lunchable, otherwise known as a mini charcuterie or meat and cheese board. Creating your own snack combination all but guarantees more flavor and nutrition, as well as a chance to work within your personal grocery budget.

Whether you're working in your office or at home, the strategies for composing this tasty snack are the same. You'll want a variety of salty, sweet, savory, and sharp tastes as well as smooth, crunchy, and crisp textures. You can keep an assortment of these foods in individual containers or bags so you can create your plate as the mood strikes. Some examples are below, but this certainly not an exhaustive list! What would you include?

Salty: olives, pepperoncini or pickled jalapenos, fermented veggies like kraut, kimchi, pickles

Savory: Cured salami, diced ham or turkey, boiled eggs, cherry tomatoes, shiitake crisps

Sweet: Dried apricots, figs, grapes, blueberries, all-fruit jam

Sharp: Grainy mustard, preserved lemon, orange slices

Smooth: goat cheese, cottage cheese, hummus, white bean dip, avocado, flavored nut butters

Crunchy: Toasted almonds or pistachios, seeded crackers

Crisp: Raw veggies like cucumber, carrots, celery, radishes or kohlrabi

Of course, you can use this strategy for a meal as well! Just add a little more to your plate and enjoy. See you on the 'gram!