Best Foods to Pack for a Beach Picnic: Healthy Choices!
Summer is one of the most sought-after seasons of the year. If you experience cold winter months then you surely appreciate those warm summer days. Come summer, many of us are packing up and heading to the beach! Packing isn’t always the easiest task so we’re here to help!
We’ve searched the internet find you some of the most delicious food ideas, recipes, and even a few tools to help make this process both easy and enjoyable. Get your sunscreen on, and get ready for a warm and relaxing day!
1. Rainbow Tortilla Pinwheels
These rainbow tortilla pinwheels are unlike any sandwich you’ve had before! Show up to the beach with a platter of these delicious bites and your friends and family will be quite impressed.
These healthy pinwheels are quite easy to prepare and are loaded with fresh ingredients. Spread a base of three cheese dip onto a spinach tortilla wrap and top with your favorite veggies. Then, cut up the pinwheels, store in an airtight container and transport them to the beach in a cooler.
https://asideofsweet.com/healthy-vegetarian-appetizer-recipe/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: A SIDE OF SWEET2. Quick & Easy Charcuterie Kabobs
Charcuterie boards are amazing party appetizers. Not only do they look pretty but they allow you to offer your guests a wonderful variety of foods. However, it’s not exactly an easy task to transport a charcuterie board to the beach!
The perfect solution is to whip together our charcuterie kabobs. These delicious kabobs hold the same assortment we all love but serving them on a stick allows them to be perfectly portioned for each person! Plus you can store them in a container and transport them to the beach effortlessly.
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/quick-and-easy-party-pleasing-charcuterie-kabobs/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY3. Watermelon
There’s nothing better than biting into a cold, crispy, and juicy watermelon on a hot day! Watermelon is a beach must-have in my opinion!
Eating watermelon can get messy but that’s half the fun, right? Bite into your juicy watermelon and then take a dip in the water to rinse off any sticky juices! Although, We do recommend cutting up your watermelon prior to heading to the beach!
4. No-Bake Chocolate Snack Bites
If you have friends or family with allergies these tasty treats are the perfect snack for you! These no-bake snack bites are loaded with nutrient-rich ingredients to fuel your beach day!
How can you resist a chocolatey ball of goodness? Simply toss all the ingredients into a food processor and roll into balls. We also added a surprise center to our bites and filled them with raspberry jam!
http://www.forkly.com/recipes/no-bake-nut-free-chocolate-raspberry-stuffed-snack-bites/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: FORKLY5. Peanut Butter & Jelly Pinwheels
In contrast, if you don’t have to worry about nut allergies make a batch of these delicious peanut butter and jelly pinwheels! This timeless sandwich is loved by both adults and kids alike and even those picky eaters can’t say no to a delicious treat like this.
To create the roll-ups you’ll need to flatten bread slices with a rolling pin. Slather on the PB&J and in no time you’ll have a delicious lunch ready for your beach day!
https://www.somewhatsimple.com/peanut-butter-jelly-pinwheels/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SOMEWHAT SIMPLE6. Grapes
Much like watermelon, grapes are an excellent snack idea for the beach. They’re a refreshing treat and a much healthier option than candy.
You could bring an assortment of both green and purple grapes. Wash and store them in an airtight container so that you can munch on them during your beach day!
7. Summer Corn Salad
Leafy green salads can get boring, especially if you find yourself having them every day. So why not share a bowl of this summer corn salad instead!
It’s loaded with fresh and flavorful ingredients and can even be prepared the night before. Some of these lovely flavors you’ll experience are red onion, fresh cilantro, and zesty lime!
https://www.veggiebalance.com/healthy-summer-corn-salad-recipe/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=360900250_11515042_295645 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SUMMER CORN SALAD8. Healthy Greek Yogurt Dip
Fresh veggies are always a good idea for the beach but don’t stop there. Try making this Greek yogurt dip and dip your veggies all day long.
This dip is a healthier alternative to many store-bought dips, plus, Greek yogurt is an excellent source of protein! In addition to Greek yogurt, this dip is infused with flavors of fresh dill, lemon, and a few other seasonings.
https://robustrecipes.com/healthy-greek-yogurt-dill-dip/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: ROBUST RECIPES9. Hummus
Another excellent dip option is hummus! It too is protein-rich thanks to its main ingredient, chickpeas! You’ll be surprised to discover that hummus is actually quite easy to make at home.
Skip the store-bought containers and make this healthy recipe using inexpensive ingredients. The secret to achieving the perfect creamy texture is to blend tahini, olive oil, and lemon juice with the chickpeas. In addition, you’ll need just a few seasonings to make this hummus unforgettable.
https://www.cookingclassy.com/hummus/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: COOKING CLASSY10. Homemade Pita Bread
Are the veggie sticks not cutting it? In that case, whip up a batch of this simple homemade pita bread and pair it with hummus or your favorite dip!
This easy pita bread is made with 5 simple ingredients. Although keep in mind the dough will need time to rise so be sure to prepare the pita’s at least 1 day in advance!
https://sweetsimplevegan.com/2018/05/homemade-pita-bread/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SWEET SIMPLE VEGAN11. Homemade Healthy Trail Mix
Instead of munching on a bag of chips dive into a delicious handful of homemade trail mix. This healthier option is loaded with sweet and salty flavors and is certainly addictive.
The trail mix is a lovely blend of almonds, cashews, and walnuts. The raw almonds and cashews are lightly toasted in the oven with a bit of salt and then are later mixed with sweet dried cranberries, sultana raisins, and pieces of dark chocolate.
https://www.ourhappymess.com/healthy-trail-mix/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: OUR HAPPY MESS12. Caprese Pasta Salad
This isn’t your ordinary pasta salad and those you share it with will be pleasantly surprised by how delicious it is. It’s fresh, vibrant and exploding in flavor.
Pasta is combined with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella, fresh basil, and a divine vinaigrette. This salad will make you feel like your indulging in a gourmet dish while lounging in the sand!
https://www.knowyourproduce.com/caprese-pasta-salad/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=402813528_13120874_106221 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: KNOW YOUR PRODUCE13. Pressed Italian Sandwiches
If you’re looking for something a little more grown-up than PB&J sandwiches then look no further! Prepare these pressed Italian sandwiches and share them with your friends and family.
They’ll be impressed that you didn’t pick these up from a gourmet bistro and you’ll be amazed by how easy they were to prepare! The sandwiches start with a ciabatta loaf and then are loaded with delectable meats, cheese, and several other flavorful ingredients.
http://www.shutterbean.com/2017/pressed-italian-sandwiches/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&utm_campaign=tailwind_tribes&utm_content=tribes&utm_term=363578876_11380932_313553 PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: SHUTTER BEAN14. Brie and Apple Sandwich
Delicious Brie cheese and sweet apples come together to create an unforgettable sandwich. While this may sound like an odd combination you’ll be happily pleased to learn that they actually work really well together.
Brie has a unique flavor and the sweetness of the apple helps to balance that flavor. In addition to the flavor, the crunch of the apple in comparison to the soft brie is also a lovely balance. Bring them to the beach and share with your friends and family.
https://hellolittlehome.com/brie-and-apple-sandwich/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: HELLO LITTLE HOME15. Trail Mix Cookies
Instead of enjoying trail mix by the handful why not dig into these delectable trail mix cookies! You’ll feel good about feeding these type of cookies to your family!
Trail mix cookies are loaded with dried fruits, nuts, and seeds. As a bonus, this recipe is gluten-free and vegan-friendly!
https://beamingbaker.com/gluten-free-trail-mix-cookies-vegan-gluten-free-dairy-free/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: BEAMING BAKER16. Healthy No-Bake Cookies
Perhaps you have a craving for cookies but don’t want to heat up the kitchen! After all, the season of summer can bring on some dreadful hot days.
If you’re experiencing a heat wave try making these no-bake cookies! They’re made with many enticing ingredients such as honey, peanut butter, and enough cocoa powder to make them truly decadent. Be sure to transport them in your cooler as they should be stored in a cool place.
https://buildyourbite.com/healthy-chocolate-peanutbutter-no-bake-cookies/ PHOTOS AND RECIPE HERE: BUILD YOUR BITE17. Yeti Tundra Cooler
You’re going to need a cooler for all your beach trips this summer! After all, coolers not only help us transport our food and beverages but also helps to keep them cold and fresh.
The Yeti cooler will keep your ice frozen and your contents cold even on the hottest summer days. This cooler measurements are 25.5 inches long, 16 inches wide, and 15.5 inches high.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/2YRD4pH
PHOTOS BY: AMAZON18. Coleman Wheeled Cooler
In contrast, the Coleman cooler is a more budget-friendly option. It’s a 50-quart cooler which leaves plenty of space to hold your favorite beach foods and beverages.
The top of the cooler has 4 cupholders so you don’t have to worry about your drinks falling in the sand! In addition to its other amazing features, this cooler also has a telescoping handle that will help you maneuver the cooler effortlessly.
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/2WqZH6w
PHOTOS BY: AMAZON19. Fit & Fresh Cool Coolers Slim Ice Packs
You could buy a bag of ice for your cooler but why not use these reusable ice packs. These Fit and Fresh Cool Coolers come as a pack of 4 and are slim in size. This means they’ll fit perfectly inside your cooler without taking up much space.
You’ll be happy to know that they’re made of a material that is BPA-FREE. These ice packs will help keep your food and drinks cool and fresh!
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/2M3JO1Y
PHOTOS BY: AMAZON20. Simple Modern Summit Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Instead of bringing disposable water bottles or drinking boxes to the beach why not use these reusable water bottles! They’re made of 18/8 stainless steel and will keep your drinks cold!
They come in an assortment of different colors which means there is one for every member of your family! Further, be sure to bring these Sprill-Proof Containers That you can Actually Trust in Your Bag to the beach!
BUY IT HERE: https://amzn.to/30FbTzY
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