There is nothing like going on a picnic on a hot summer day with family and friends. There are plenty of healthy food choices to satisfy an appetite and not ruin a diet when eating out on a picnic. A few food ideas to pack for a picnic include:
1) Making healthy sandwiches is a good solution for quick picnic lunches. The ideal sandwich would be homemade, having slices of whole-wheat or multigrain bread, which have good sources of fiber, and variations and flavors that include tomatoes, cucumber, lettuce and olives. (If you want to add more taste here are some sample Mediterranean style sandwiches)
2) One can always bring a fresh salad, which is quick and easy to prepare, as a side dish. An ideal mixed lettuce salad would contain tomatoes and avocados with a small amount of extra virgin olive oil and some dried nuts or seeds, which contain healthy fats. Otherwise, packing pre-washed and boiled or steamed broccoli is a great alternative, if not a plate of spinach or some green leafy vegetables that have plenty of Vitamin E. (Some examples may include Orange and Basil Salad, “False” Tuna Salad, Pasta Salad or more salad ideas)
3) Instead of a dessert, consider having fruit. There is nothing like carrying along seasonal fruits on a picnic: apples, bananas and grapes, for instance, are not only low in calories and fat, but are nutritious, contain plenty of vitamins. One might consider bringing along to the picnic also a fruit salad. A great picnic recipe for this dish could include different kinds of fruits, like kiwi, berries, pears, peaches and pineapple, for example, with freshly-squeezed lemon juice instead of whipped cream that has saturated fat.
4) Water is the ideal drink to have on a picnic, if not to quench a thirst, in the summer. Dieters should drink as much water as possible as it helps rehydrate the body. Some other great drink alternatives are: Water with freshly-squeezed lemon juice and honey, green tea, peppermint infuse or fennel seeds infuse (a good variation is to add a little aniseed and liquorice). To avoid calories, do not drink alcoholic, caffeinated or sugary drinks, like soda and juice, or sport/energy drinks.
