National Picnic Day!
The winter months are finally over and spring is here making it the perfect time to celebrate National Picnic Day! Traditionally, picnic foods include calorie dense items such as fried chicken, mayonnaise heavy salads, hamburgers, hotdogs, cookies and chips. But everyone will want to come to your picnic blanket when I share with you some ways to makeover your picnic so it’s not only healthier, but tastier too!
Follow these great ideas to create the perfect picnic outing for your whole family:
- Toss broccoli and shredded carrots in a light dressing for a light crunchy salad rather than the typical mayo-based cole slaw.
- Making a fresh salad the night before will not only give you less stress on picnic day, but the ingredients will have time marinate, giving you better flavor on your picnic day. Combine raw veggies, dried cranberries, and even fat free crumbled feta cheese to pack on the flavor.
- If you are bringing a grill to your picnic, cut up and pack vegetables to make grilled vegetable skewers! Portabella mushrooms, zucchini, peppers and onions are great for grilling. Add some grilled chicken breast or even grilled fruit like pineapple and watermelon.
- Rather than snacking on cookies and chips, bring hummus or salsa with you as a dip for raw vegetables or whole grain chips. Or replace mayonnaise and sour cream in your favorite dip with nonfat plain Greek yogurt.
- Ditch the fried chicken and burgers for homemade veggie burgers like the recipe listed here.
- Swap out white pasta and potatoes and use whole grain pasta and sweet potatoes instead. If you really want to get your guests trying something new, use quinoa in place of macaroni in salads for a protein and fiber-packed punch!
- Picnics can also lead to fun outdoor physical activities. Bring Frisbees, a ball and bat, hula hoops, jump ropes or any other fun games to play while you’re there.
- Wear sunblock. While vitamin D is good for you, it isn’t good to soak up too much sun!
- Last, but not least, bring lots of water to stay hydrated! Infuse it with citrus fruits, berries, cucumbers or mint leaves for added flavor and refreshment!
Follow these tips and keep an eye on your picnic basket because it will be gone before you can say, “Happy Picnic Day!”
Your turn to take action: What is your favorite picnic food you have “made-over” to be healthier?
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Great ideas- and now I’m hungry!
It’s funny that today is National Picnic Day- we’re having another cold front move in- so I’m thinking Indoors Picnic would be in order.
Ooh, and indoor picnic sounds like fun! I may just have to surprise my kids with that today! Thanks for the suggestion Denys.
National Picnic Day – I LOVE it!
Mind you I haven’t been on one for years, it can seem a bit odd to go for a solo picnic, although I may take your post as a nudge to go on one!
Thanks for the share, I didn’t know of it,
cheers,
Gordon
Hi Gordon, actually a solo picnic can be a great de-stressor. If you do venture out, let me know how it goes!
Whoever thought of national picnic day in April doesn’t live it Scotland LOL but there are lots of great ideas to save for summer here. Thanks!
Awesome Ana! I know, seems like this day should be moved to July! Thanks for your comments.