Reinventing the picnic: tasty, nutritious ideas

Picnic season is fast approaching. Relaxation, nature, tasty food and good company are the keywords! How can you make this type of meal nutritious, without skimping on the fun? Here are some sensible and original ideas for reinventing your next picnic.

Sandwiches

No-crust sandwiches are a classic at any picnic. But it’s easy to get a little variety by making original, nutritious sandwiches in a pinch.

For your protein source, opt for something other than cold cuts, which can be high in sodium. Use leftover meats, such as fondue meat or chicken breasts, or opt for eggs, canned tuna, smoked salmon or my personal favorite, smoked tofu.

You can also have fun by varying the type of bread: bagels, English muffins, tortillas, Hawaiian Sweet Rolls, pitas… there’s no shortage of possibilities! Choose a whole-grain option for a heartier sandwich.

For added flavor, there are so many options to vary from the classic mayonnaise. Dare to use different mustards, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers, hummus or guacamole to enhance the taste of your creations.

Need inspiration for your sandwiches? Try the recipes available on Ultime Fit, like this Chicken Salad, Apple and Walnut Sandwich.

Side dishes

Side dishes are also an important part of any good picnic. Here are some nutritious and delicious ideas instead of chips.

Roasted legumes

Chickpeas, lentils, lupins or edamame can be roasted and seasoned to make a tasty snack. This option contains less fat and more fiber and protein than traditional snacks. You can buy them ready-to-eat or prepare them yourself. Want recipes?

Pita chips

What could be better than chips dipped in salsa on a hot summer’s day? You can replace the chips with homemade pitas (or tortilla) chips for a equally tasty, but lower-fat treat. You can then dip them in hummus, guacamole or salsa. I suggest this recipe for a Layered Hummus Dip, which includes the preparation of pitas chips.

Beverages

Alcoholic beverages are often the go-to drink at picnics. However, alcohol consumption has several potentially harmful effects on health. Why not replace them in whole or in part with sparkling waters, ready-to-drink mocktails or alcohol-free beers? The refreshing, festive aspect is maintained, without the negative effects of alcohol. What’s more, even if some of these options contain sugar, they’re still a better alternative than their alcoholic counterparts.

Sweet touch

Summer brings an abundance of fresh fruit to grocery stores and markets. Melons, berries, pineapples, grapes and more add a pleasant freshness to any picnic. You can even make fruit skewers for easy handling and a look worthy of a posting on social media!

If you want to add a touch of chocolate to your fruit, I recommend chocolate hummus (homemade or store-bought). That’s right: chocolate hummus. Although the combination may seem a little unusual, I challenge you to give it a try! This option is less sweet and comes with less potential for mess than a traditional chocolate fondue. You can also try a variety of other dips for your fruit, such as Yogurt Dip,  Apple Caramel sauce or Chocolate, Date and Hazelnut Dip

Remember: for all the foods traditionally included in your picnics, there are more nutritious and just as tasty alternatives! Don’t hesitate to consult our recipes on Ultime Fit or call on our nutritionists to discover even more.

Reinventing the picnic: tasty, nutritious ideas is a post from Nautilus Plus. The Nautilus Plus blog aims to help people in their journey to fitness through articles on training, nutrition, motivation, exercise and healthy recipes.
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