How to Pack a Diet Picnic

About the Author

Abby Campbell, BSc, SFN, SSN, CPT, is a leading professional fitness and nutrition expert, researcher, and published author of One Size Does NOT Fit All Diet Plan, one of Amazon's Top Gluten-Free and Weight Loss Diets. (You may read more about Abby at the bottom of this article.)

It's a beautiful day, and what better time to enjoy your perfect picnic with family and friends! But your memory jogs with unhealthy food options that usually accompany the picnic basket. You're trying to lose weight, get healthy, and don't want to ruin your diet. What shall you do?

Convenience foods don't always have to partner with picnics. There are many healthy picnic food options that you may enjoy. In fact, they may even seem naughty because they are so tasty. Your family and friends won't even feel intimidated by the best picnic foods you're about to indulge them with. Just enjoy those healthy options with them!

You can stay healthy and on track with your diet. Find out the best picnic foods to pack for your outing. Plan your picnic menu with these wonderful healthy picnic foods, and never feel guilty!

You can diet healthy no matter whether you're eating at home, dining out, and venturing with family and friends at a picnic. Nutritious and balanced is the key for every meal and snack. Protein, carbohydrates, and fats are all important for weight loss as well as a healthy lifestyle. Below you will find a table that includes all healthy picnic foods to consider when considering your diet.

NOTE: Be careful with your dressings made with a mayonnaise base as this can spoil easily if you do not have a well-packed ice chest or cooler. Instead, use vinegar and citrus based dressings.

Following are a couple healthy picnic recipes for your convenience. If you need more servings, double or triple the ingredients. They are easy and quick enough to prepare, and some can even be prepared a couple of days ahead of time so that you're not rushing when packing up your family in the car.

Turkey is lean on saturated fats, low in calories, yet high in quality protein. Try natural turkey that is free-range or organic for best taste.

Ingredients:

• 2.5 pounds lean ground turkey
• 1 egg
• 1/2 medium chopped onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• pinch black pepper

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients well.
2. Roll mixture into balls.
3. Broil approximately 4-5 minutes on each side.

Servings:

• 10 people at 4 ounces each

Broccoli is a great source of nutrients. In fact, it is high in vitamin A, C, and folate which are all great for your immune system, as well as growth and development in children.

Ingredients:

• 1 head fresh broccoli, chopped into bite-size
• 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup Stevia in the Raw or granulate Splenda.

Directions:

1. Mix all ingredients.
2. Cover and chill in refrigerator for several hours.
3. Can be made a couple of days ahead of time.

Servings:

• Approximately 6-8.

Sodas and alcohol should be avoided on any weight loss diet. However, diet picnics don't have to be dull. You can still make refreshing and healthy beverages to pack. The traditional iced tea and lemonade are good choices. Instead of sweetening them with refined sugar, opt for Stevia or Splenda.

If you want to try something a little zingier, try iced teas infused with a little lemonade or cranberry juice. Instead of black tea, try iced green or white teas. You can even mix your lemonade with cranberry juice just to be a little edgier. Experiment and have fun!

Now that you have learned how to pack a diet picnic with healthy picnic foods, there are a few other tips that are important to the perfect picnic. Don't forget your tablecloth, plates, and utensils. Also, bring lots of napkins or a roll of paper towels for messes that can be cleaned up easily. Using disposable picnic wear is incredibly convenient, but you may want to consider using biodegradable products that are earth friendly. You may even want to bring matches or a lighter if you plan to barbeque your meats at the picnic area. Also, remember to keep certain foods on ice in a cooler to keep from spoiling. Nothing can be worse than you or your your child getting a tummy ache during all the family fun. Enjoy your perfect picnic with the best healthy foods that will keep you on track with your diet.

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Abby Campbell, BSc, SFN, SSN, CPT, is a leading professional fitness and nutrition expert, researcher, and published author. For over 10 years, she has coached thousands of women locally and online to lose body fat and lead healthy lifestyles. Her clients have lost thousands of pounds, reclaimed health, and call her “Coach No Gimmick.” She is from Northern Virginia but now resides near Charlotte, North Carolina. Abby has been married for more than 20 years and has three grown daughters, one of which is autistic. She is a 20+ year cancer survivor.