This is a collaborative post: Wine can be excellent on its own in terms of taste and the health benefits it can provide, but pairing it with healthy snacks can make it so much more enjoyable. In fact, a wine party isn’t complete without them on the side. This article will share some of the best snacks to compliment your drinking experience and augment your health at the same time.
Cheeses
Perhaps one of the most popular snacks to go with wine, there are many different kinds of cheeses that are appropriate for whichever wine you prefer.
For instance, gruyere cheese is excellent with Pinot Noir, gouda with champagne, and brie with Sauvignon Blanc are just a few of the countless examples out there since there are numerous possible combinations of wines and cheeses available to pick from.
In general, though, a high-quality cheese to go with your wine is not only great for making your wine potentially taste better, but it’s full of protein and calcium, and the fat content can prevent dry mouth by stimulating salivation.
Nuts
Just like cheese, there are a variety of nuts that can compliment wine, and certain ones can be better than others, depending on which kind of wine you will be having.
Pistachios, walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, and chestnuts are some of the most frequently served ones, but ultimately, it’s up to preference, and it’s a good idea to research which nuts pair best with the wine that you have.
Nuts are rich in healthy fats, fiber, and protein and a recommended part of any balanced diet, and their snackability makes them enjoyable at any time, but especially when it’s time to pour a glass of wine.
Vegetables & Dip
Vegetables and dip are a classic at any get-together, and it’s a side that can go with just about anything, including wine.
For the vegetables, you can use basically anything, but broccoli, carrots, and celery are always excellent choices. The main thing is choosing a dip that not only complements your wine but is healthy and nutritious as well, and so it is recommended you try making your dip at home.
There are tons of easy and amazing options, such as spinach, dill, artichoke, and leek dips and even hummus is very popular too. Going with a vegetable-based dip to go with the actual vegetables will make your wine taste better but also help you get more fiber which is often lacking in many people’s diets.
Dark Chocolate
Some people might argue that dark chocolate isn’t the best choice to go with wine due to its tendency to make the wine taste more bitter. However, this, once again, comes down to choosing the right pairings, which make a considerable difference in how everything tastes.
The reason why dark chocolate can have this tendency has to do with the tannins and antioxidants, which are also abundant in wine. However, this is what makes both wine and dark chocolate the healthiest option compared to other chocolates, which are sweeter. In fact, the darker, the better.
Like wine, red in particular, the antioxidants in dark chocolate have the potential to improve heart health by reducing cholesterol and blood pressure and improving blood sugar levels. It can also help your mental health by improving memory and cognition.
Fruit
Lastly, while the previous choices haven’t been the sweetest snacks for a reason, there is no harm done by having a sweet treat – after all, some wines can be fairly bitter.
Fruit trays can be one of the healthiest ways to counteract this, and like vegetables, you can have a lot of different options to snack on while sipping on your wine.
It might be a no-brainer, but grapes are also great to pair with wine, and freezing them beforehand can make them an amazing treat to go with your wine and double up on those antioxidants.
Is It Good To Snack?
Snacks can make up an important part of a person’s diet, but like everything else, they must be controlled in order to be beneficial. This is also especially true for alcohol consumption. In addition to calories adding up, there can be long-term complications to overeating and drinking.
For many people, eating and drinking can be used as a way to cope with stress, anxiety, depression, and other conditions, and this is unhealthy. By talking to a therapist, such as the ones at BetterHelp, you can learn healthy ways of coping and live the best lifestyle possible.
Conclusion
The options are virtually endless when it comes to finding snacks to go with wine, but hopefully, the suggestions here will help you narrow things down and pick the most wholesome choices. By doing so, you allow yourself to get the most out of your food and drink.