Five Easy Ways to Pack a Perfect Outdoor Picnic

 

Keeping food safe and sanitary
You can keep cold foods cold with an insulated cooler or bag and plenty of frozen gel packs. Frozen water bottles or juice boxes can also keep food cold. As they melt, they become refreshing beverages.

Pack chewy, hearty whole grains
If you pack sandwiches, getting whole grain goodness is easy with whole wheat rolls or multi-grain bread. Whole grain crackers (for cheese or peanut butter) are another tasty choice. For something different, try a simple cold grain salad made with brown rice, couscous, pasta, or quinoa with chopped veggies and olive oil.

Pack crisp, crunchy vegetables
Pack a variety of colorful veggies onto a tray with a couple of low-fat dips, like Ranch or bleu cheese. Go raw (grape tomatoes, baby carrots, cucumber slices, pepper pieces, celery sticks, and sugar snap peas) or lightly steamed and quickly cooled (broccoli and cauliflower florets, green beans, and asparagus spears).

Pack sweet, juicy fruit
The sweet smells and flavors of summer fruits are practically a picnic necessity.
Surround a container of vanilla yogurt with fruit slices for dipping (cantaloupe, kiwi, apple, and pears) or combine their juicy goodness into a fresh fruit salad with strawberries, blueberries, peaches, nectarines, bananas, and pineapple.

Pack creamy, delicious dairy products
Yogurt and cheese are two easy-to-transport ways to enjoy dairy foods. Yogurt makes a yummy fruit dip or a nutrient-rich, sweet dessert in flavors from Key Lime to chocolate mousse. An ounce or two of cheese adds layers of flavor to any sandwich. Cheese slices can also be served with crackers and fruit slices.

Pack satisfying, flavorful protein foods
There are dozens of delicious ways to pump protein into picnics, like slices of lean ham, roast beef, turkey, or pastrami with lettuce and tomato on whole grain breads. Tuna and chicken salad mixtures also make satisfying sandwiches. Nuts and seeds can also add protein when sprinkled onto fruit or leafy green salads.

Used by permission, EatRightMontana