| Healthy and easy picnic ideas | | | | hamburger. These substitutions are full of flavor and |
| When determing the menu for a picnic, the name of | | | | will benefit your family's health. When dressing the |
| the game is taste. But, taste doesn't have to mean | | | | burger, add a generous slice of tomato, onion, and/or |
| unhealthy. A picnic menu can be just as healthy and | | | | lettuce. The more food items you can prepare ahead |
| easy as a meal you would prepare at home. Picnic | | | | of time, the calmer the actual picnic will be. Chicken |
| appetizers keep guests from losing interest while they | | | | breast or seafood kabobs can be bought fresh |
| wait for the grill to fire up. Make or purchase a | | | | directly from the meat department of the local grocery |
| container of veggie dip. If you purchase the dip, buy the | | | | store. Keep them on ice until ready to toss on the grill. |
| light variety. When whipping up a dip, substitute regular | | | | A side dish of brown rice can be served with the |
| ranch dressing with a ranch seasoning mix and a | | | | kabobs for a complete meal. Dessert at a picnic |
| container of low fat sour cream. The taste is just as | | | | usually consists of cake or some other sweet |
| flavorful but without all of the extra calories. To | | | | confection. Fruit salad is a healthy twist on dessert. A |
| accompany your dip, consider a raw vegetable platter. | | | | combination of sweet fruits topped with coconut |
| Vegetables are lighter than chips and they won't | | | | pieces or served with a fruit dip satisfies the sugar |
| adversely impact your waistline if you over indulge. | | | | craving. Try grilled fruits like pineapples or peaches for |
| Preparing the vegetables the night before gives you | | | | a tangy tasting dessert. When it comes to drinks, |
| more time the day of the picnic. Vegetables can be | | | | choose bottled water or juices. Sugar free flavor |
| sliced into decorative chips with a crinkle cutter for | | | | packets can be mixed into bottled water for a fruity |
| added flare. If the kids require salty snacks, choose the | | | | drink if you don't want to drink juice. If picnickers will be |
| baked variety. Most snack companies sell a baked, | | | | active, water offers better hydration than soda drinks. |
| reduced fat version of their popular snacks. Even | | | | A picnic doesn't have to equate to the end of a health |
| better, one hundred calorie snack bags will keep them | | | | conscious way of eating. Nutritious menu selections |
| from eating too many of their favorite snacks. Frozen | | | | can be managed even on the grill. Pre-planning can |
| burger patties don't have to be fattening anymore. | | | | keep the menu light not to mention easy and |
| Choose from turkey burger patties or 98% lean | | | | stress-free. |