27 Sep Top Tips for a Nutritious Picnic
Picnics are very likely going to be the primary way to catch up with friends and loved ones for a while now that restrictions have eased slightly. It can be hard to know what to bring in order to enjoy yourself with delicious food without feeling as though you’ve over-indulged.
Have a read through some of our top tips to pack a nutritious picnic basket.
Consider the beverage
Not only do you want to make sure you pack plenty of water, especially given the weather warming up, but a flavoursome drink can change your picnic experience. Cold brew teas can be an excellent way to enjoy some different flavours with ease, especially with the variety now available. You could add some fresh fruit to take it up a level!
Salads
Depending on what utensils and crockery you’re wanting to bring to the picnic, it can get tricky to share out a typical bowl of salad. Using skewers to put salads together, such as Caprese salads, can be an easy way to share out your servings. Alternatively, you can make up any delicious salad and portion them out in small Tupperware containers to be enjoyed individually.
Platters
The centrepiece of the picnic is certainly the platter! This is where it is also easy to go overboard, as there is often primarily a selection of cheeses and crackers. Make it easy to choose nutritious options, by also loading the platter up with plenty of fresh and colourful produce to enjoy with some nutritious dips, for example hummus, salsa, cottage cheese or a yoghurt-like dip, such as tzatziki. Add in anything from carrots, celery and cucumber to asparagus tips, cherry tomatoes, snow peas and capsicum to your selection. The wider the range of colours, the better the platter will look! If crackers are your preference, bring in a wholegrain variety to boost the nutrients available.
Looking for some crunch
Roast chickpeas and fava beans are a great way to enjoy some crunch at your picnic, while also including some fibre and protein – both to help keep you full for longer. You can make your own roast chickpeas, flavoured with herbs and spices, but they can also be purchased at the supermarket. It is a great alternative to nuts if you are looking for something less calorie dense.
Easy finger food
Bringing some finger food along to a picnic is a great way to be able to share delicious food with ease, and the selection is endless! These are also great options, as you can load any of them up with plenty of vegetables plus include a source of protein, which makes them a nutritious selection to have.
Some ideas include:
- Mini quiches or frittatas made in muffin tins
- Spinach and ricotta triangles
- Zucchini slice
- Sushi
- Rice paper rolls
- Fritters
- Wholegrain wrap
Dessert
A delicious dessert is certainly a perk of the picnic. The classic fruit salad is always a great choice, and you can put a selection of fruits on a skewer to make it easier to share. Other options include chocolate covered strawberries and homemade banana muffins, where you can put all of your isolation baking to good use!
Have a look at our recipe HERE for a great option to try.
Enjoy your nutritious picnics!
Our Dietitian Alex is available on Monday mornings and Tuesday afternoons.
Dietitian and Nutritionist servicing Glen Iris, Malvern East, Ashburton and surrounds.