There is still time to take advantage of the beautiful summer days. Whether you are on the way to the beach, the park or to go on a hike, a picnic is one way to make your trip even better (and more nutritious). There’s just something wonderful about sprawling out on a blanket, enjoying nature, watching the clouds roll by and eating yummy food, of course. So keep these items and foods in mind while packing smart for a healthy picnic on your next outing.
Basics
- Blanket – be sure to have something to sit on. It should be large enough to comfortably hold all your picnic-gear & food (but not too big to carry to the location). If you are looking for the ideal picnic blanket, bestreviews.guide suggests these Top 10 Picnic Blankets.
- Tableware – such as paper plates, disposable cups, plastic utensils, a small cutting knife, napkins, and bottle opener.
- Clean up – be sure to remember some paper towels & trash bags for clean up. You don’t want to be a litterbug, so be sure to dispose of everything that you bring with you.
- Ice – keep things chilled with refreezable ice packs. In a pinch, add some ice cubes to resealable zip lock bags.
Food
- Hummus and Pita Chips – great for munching, a smarter choice than traditional chips and dip.
- Seasonal Salads (in jar/glass containers – they keep better this way) – refreshing and helps you get your daily dose of veggies. Try this Cucumber Avocado Caprese Salad recipe from popsugar.com that is only 250 calories and offers 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber.
- Fruit and Veggie Kebabs – Bite-size fruit and veggies go great with any picnic. Skewer it on kebabs for a snack that travels well and is convenient to eat on the go. You could also include some dips, such as a zesty greek yogurt dip for your veggies or a sweeter honey yogurt dip for your fruit. Greatist.com has 49 Healthy Dip Recipes for you to check out.
- Nutrient-Full Sandwiches – sandwiches are a picnic staple but you can jazz up those same old cold cuts or pb&j with some fruit. Try adding apples, mangos or pears to bring a mix of tastes and textures to your favorite sammy .
- Snack Mix – homemade can be the best way to go sometimes. You can add your personal favorites like, nuts, pretzels and other crunchy, salty bits. Plus, this way you can avoid all of the additives that can be found in the store bought mixes.
- Something Sweet – a picnic wouldn’t be complete without a sweet treat. Check out some of these scrumptious recipes for cookies and bars from Chocolate Covered Katie. Don’t feel like baking? Pick up a box of Bear Naked Granola Bites.
Beverages
- Water – of course!
- Sparkling Juice – if you want something with a little more flavor and fizz, try Izze Sparkling Juice. It comes in a variety of flavors and is USDA Organic Certified – made with organic natural flavors and organic cane sugar.
- Eco-Smart Sangria & Wine – a healthy picnic doesn’t mean that you have to ditch the booze. A good alternative to sugary Summer cocktails is a refreshing and fruity sangria, like the one from Bandit Wines. The ingredients are pretty simple: a blend of “premium California wine and natural cranberry and grapefruit flavors.” They also offer a variety of wines that come in convenient, eco-friendly packaging as well.
The important thing is to have fun while enjoying the outdoors and fresh air. So before summer passes you by, get out there and try bringing some of these healthy alternatives along with you on the picnic. And keep in mind that TNT has a wide variety of Nutritional Services, as well as Personalized Programs to fit everyone’s lifestyle.
Contact us today for your Free Consultation.
Email: information@tntgetfit.com
Phone: 704-549-9550
List courtesy in part by popsugar.com and deliciousmeetshealthy.com
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