The Wedding Nutritionist

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10+ Bridal Shower Food Ideas

When it comes to planning a wedding, there are so many different types of traditions and festivities leading up to the big day to celebrate the bride and groom-to-be. One of which being the bridal shower.

Different from a bachelorette party, a bridal shower is a more modern tradition where guests commune usually in someone’s home, eat light hors d'oeurves, and present the bride-to-be with useful gifts for her new life and home (typically from their wedding registry) in the weeks ahead of the wedding day.

Hosting a bridal shower is a great way to celebrate the bride-to-be before her big day in an intimate setting surrounded by a close circle of friends and family.

One of the key aspects of preparing for a bridal shower is to plan the menu. The food served can definitely make a huge impact on the overall vibe and flow of the event. So today, I’m sharing a round-up of bridal shower food ideas you’ll want to consider.

10+ Bridal Shower Food Ideas

Low Carb Tea Sandwiches

What makes this a great option for bridal showers is the fact that it’s a clean, low calorie bite sized option that’s easy to make for those looking for healthy snack alternatives. It’s also a great hydrating option for those wanting to maintain glowing skin in the days leading up to the big day.

292 CALORIES

Ingredients

1 Cucumber, medium - 42 calories

7½ Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped - 250 calories

2 Tbsp Dill - 0 calories

2 Tbsp Chives - 0 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

Directions

  1. Note: 7 1/2 Tbsp cream cheese = 1/2 cup

  2. Cut herbs finely.

  3. Slice cucumber.

  4. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, dill, salt, and pepper. Stir until herbs are mixed in.

  5. Spread mixture evenly on cucumber.

Salami & Provolone Pickle “Sammies”

At bridal showers, you want easy and light finger foods that are guilt-free. That’s why these sammies make the perfect menu option.

214 CALORIES

Ingredients

1 oz Salami - 104 calories

1 oz Cheese, sliced cheese, full fat/ regular - 110 calories

2 slice Pickles, sandwich type (unsweetened) - 0 calories

Directions

  1. Layer cheese on top of salami (any cheese is fine, doesn’t have to be provolone).

  2. Depending on the exact type of salami and cheese you get, create as many “sandwiches” as you can by adding pickles, and folding over as shown in the picture. Use toothpicks to hold, if desired.

  3. No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese, or more salami. No salami? Use more cheese.

Bacon Bits Eggs Benedict Sandwich

Depending on the time of day, you might also enjoy serving up these egg benedict sandwiches for your wedding shower, especially if it’s hosted in the morning or early afternoon for brunch.

365 CALORIES

Ingredients

1 English muffin, whole wheat - 120 calories

2 Uncured bacon, slice - 88 calories

1 Egg, large - 72 calories

1 tsp Hot sauce (tsp) - 0 calories

1 Tbsp Hollandaise sauce - 85 calories

¼ tsp Pepper, ground - 0 calories

Directions

  1. Slice English muffin in half and toast.

  2. Cut bacon into small pieces. Cook in a pan on low heat, stirring occasionally, until cooked through.

  3. To poach egg: Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Reduce to simmering. Crack in egg, let cook for 3 minutes. Scoop out egg with a ladle and add to English muffin.

  4. Add bacon bits, two sauces, and pepper to English muffin.

  5. No bacon? Use turkey or soy bacon. No dairy? Skip the hollandaise sauce (you will have extra calories you can add to somewhere else!).

Basic Turkey Chili

If you’re having an evening event and looking for some heartier options to offer at the wedding shower, then this chili offers the perfect comfort food that’s sure to be a crowd pleaser amongst your friends and family. You’ll definitely want to add this recipe to your bridal shower food ideas.

416 CALORIES

Ingredients

8 oz Ground Turkey, 99% lean, raw - 220 calories

¾ cup Cauliflower rice, frozen - 20 calories

1 cup Canned, diced tomatoes - 56 calories

1 Zucchini, medium - 33 calories

2 tsp Avocado oil (tsp) - 82 calories

⅛ tsp Salt - 0 calories

1 tsp Taco seasoning - 5 calories

Directions

  1. Add oil to a pot, stir fry ground turkey until cooked through

  2. Chop zucchini into small/medium chunks

  3. Add in zucchini and cauliflower rice to your pot, cook through

  4. Add in tomatoes and seasonings, let simmer

  5. Enjoy!

  6. No meat? Use beans.

Broccoli Feta and Bacon Bowl

If you’re hosting a bridal shower, you’ve got to have some greenery on the menu, especially for those who are super health conscious or weight watchers.

402 CALORIES

Ingredients

2 cups Broccoli - 48 calories

2 Uncured bacon, slice - 88 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, crumbled, feta - 133 calories

2 Tbsp Sunflower seeds (Tbsp) - 94 calories

2 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar - 28 calories

¼ Onion, red - 11 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

Directions

  1. Slice raw broccoli florets into smaller pieces (we’re not cooking the broccoli). Dice onion.

  2. Slice raw bacon into small pieces. Add bacon to a pan and fry on low heat, stirring frequently, until cooked through.

  3. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl and serve.

  4. No dairy? Use a dairy-free cheese, avocado, or an oil-based (not “light”) vinaigrette. No bacon? Use turkey or soy bacon. No sunflower seeds? Use any other nut or seed. Roasted & salted sunflower seeds are fine.

Caprese Salad with Balsamic Glaze

If you serve up this caprese salad, you’ll be serving up another crowd pleaser no matter the time of day. Caprese works as a morning or early afternoon bridal shower food ideas or even if the event is later in the afternoon or evening. I mean, who doesn’t love a cheesy flavor?!

284 CALORIES

Ingredients

3 oz Cheese, sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular - 210 calories

2 Tomato, medium - 44 calories

1 Tbsp Balsamic glaze - 30 calories

¼ tsp Basil, dried - 0 calories

¼ tsp Oregano - 0 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

Directions

  1. Slice tomato & mozzarella if not already sliced

  2. Drizzle with balsamic glaze & add seasonings

  3. No dairy? Use avocado

Cucumber Open-Faced Sandwiches

Looking for light lunch shower food ideas, this is the perfect option! They’re also super easy to make.

343 CALORIES

Ingredients

1 Cucumber, medium - 42 calories

2 oz Cheese, sliced, mozzarella, full fat/ regular - 140 calories

4 oz Deli slices, turkey - 120 calories

½ Tomato, medium - 11 calories

¼ tsp Basil, dried - 0 calories

¼ tsp Oregano - 0 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

1 Tbsp Balsamic glaze - 30 calories

Directions

  1. Cut cucumber in half long-ways. Scoop out seeds if you like

  2. Top cucumber halves with turkey, cheese, and sliced tomato. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Top with seasonings.

  3. No dairy? Use dairy-free cheese or avocado. No turkey? Use extra cheese or tofurkey slices.

Lightened Up Spinach & Artichoke Dip

You can never go wrong at a wedding shower gathering when you offer a nice chip and dip selection.

513 CALORIES

Ingredients

1 cup Frozen spinach - 40 calories

3 slice Artichokes, canned (pieces) - 30 calories

6 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped - 200 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, shredded, mozzarella - 112 calories

⅓ cup Cheese, Parmesan, grated (cups) - 115 calories

¼ tsp Salt - 0 calories

1 cup Celery stalks, chopped in half - 16 calories

Directions

  1. Cut artichokes into small pieces.

  2. Spray pan with an oil spray and stir-fry spinach on medium heat.

  3. Once cooked through, drain any excess liquid with a sieve.

  4. Add in rest of ingredients (aside from celery), stir frequently for another 5-6 minutes, or until your desired temperature.

  5. Serve with celery sticks for dipping.

Cream Cheese & Smoked Salmon Cukes

Another great light lunch or brunch idea is to serve up these tasty smoked salmon chukes.

307 CALORIES

Ingredients

1 Cucumber, medium - 42 calories

4 oz Smoked salmon - 133 calories

4 Tbsp Cream cheese, whipped (Tbsp) - 132 calories

¼ tsp Everything bagel seasoning - 0 calories

Directions

  1. Cut off ends of cucumber, slice lengthwise.

  2. Spread cream cheese on top.

  3. Add smoked salmon.

  4. Top with seasonings.

  5. No dairy? Use guacamole.

  6. No everything bagel seasoning? Use salt & pepper.

3 Ingredient Banana Cookies

It wouldn’t be a complete menu if we didn’t mention any dessert ideas you can try. You may offer a yummy apple pie, blondies, chocolate covered strawberries, or try this quick and easy (and low calorie) cookie recipe.

293 CALORIES

Ingredients

0.3 Tbsp Cacao powder - 6 calories

1 Banana - 105 calories

½ cup Oatmeal, dry oats (uncooked) - 150 calories

2 tsp Sugar - 32 calories

Directions

  1. Mash banana with a fork.

  2. Combine all ingredients and mix evenly.

  3. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

  4. Spoon mixture evenly onto tray and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.

What Makes A Good Menu For A Bridal Shower

What makes a good menu for a bridal shower is ensuring that there is a variety of light menu items and everything is beautiful and buttoned up.

You’ll also want to keep in mind that there may be guests (especially the bride) who may be seeking to drop a few pounds before the wedding, which means making sure the bridal shower menu is both healthy and delicious should also be a top concern.

All and all, it’s really about making sure the menu is centered around whatever the bride wants, because after all, it will be a special day for her since she’s the guest of honor.

If you’re needing more inspiration, check out this bonus list of all nutritionist approved appetizers for bridal shower menus. Also, see this list of bridal shower drink ideas including great ideas for brunch cocktails.

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