Do you struggle to plan and pack a healthier picnic basket? A quick grocery store trip could be your new, best solution.

 

A picnic in the fresh air is fun in the summer. Or, if it rains, an indoor picnic is fun, too. No matter if you picnic in a park, at the beach, in the mountains, in your backyard, or in your kitchen on a rainy day… there’s help for packing up your picnic basket with healthier nutrition.

For a more elaborate picnic feast, head over to the deli department with sides from the fruit & veggie department. For a simpler picnic, stroll through the aisles of your grocery store and consider the lighter choices that go on and on. If you plan to go directly from the grocery store to your picnic destination then don’t forget to buy a package of paper plates, napkins, cups, and wet wipes. The deli can usually come up with plastic forks, knives, and spoons, all for free.

A Healthier Picnic Starts at the Grocery Store

Here’s a check list to go through before you head out to the store, check off what you want to buy, and use it as your grocery list!

Picnic Possibilities in the Fruit & Veggie Department

• Fresh berries: Be sure to rinse in cool, clean water before eating
• Fresh bananas
• Fresh cut-up melon like watermelon or cantaloupe
• Washed, peeled, and bagged baby carrots
• Washed celery sticks
• Washed and bagged sugar snap peas
• Individual hummus cups, or larger container, to use as a dip

Picnic Possibilities in the Deli Department

• Cooked chicken: Ask a clerk to cut the chicken into pieces for you
• Cooked pork: Ask a clerk to cut the pork into pieces for you
• Salad bar choices: Build a colorful salad and go easy on the dressing
• Pre-made sandwiches
• Pre-made salads
• Assorted sushi
• Veggie pizza

Picnic Possibilities in the Dairy Department

• Individual yogurt cups
• Individual cottage cheese cups
• Individually wrapped string cheese

Picnic Possibilities in the Salty Snacks & Crackers Aisle

• Corn tortilla chips
• Plantain chips
• Pretzels
• Whole wheat crackers
• Rice crackers for a gluten-free choice

Picnic Possibilities in the PB&J Aisle

• Individual peanut butter cups to use as a dip
• Peanut butter: Choose a simple product made from peanuts and salt
• Almond butter or Soy nut butter for a peanut-free choice
• Jam or honey

Picnic Possibilities in the Beverage Aisle

• Individual Juice Boxes, 100% fruit juice
• 12 ounce cans of Seltzer Water, lime, lemon, orange, etc.
• Individual bottles of Water

A Healthier Picnic Inspires Healthier Everyday Meals

It’s true – healthier food choices inspire more healthier food choices. The long list of picnic possibilities above gets us going and more possibilities come together day after day. Eating a wide variety of healthier foods is smart health-wise, and enjoyment-wise. Take advantage of this free Mediterranean Meals and Recipes download to get some starter ideas now. Next, let your creativity lead you to more and more tasty possibilities.

What will be in your grocery store picnic basket this summer and beyond?