Packing a Healthy Summer Picnic

Soak Up The Sun With Simple Summer Meals

Warm weather is here and after spending most of the winter indoors, we encourage you to get out and soak up the sun! Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, be active and explore with your family and friends.

Check your calendar and pick a weekend to go on a day-long adventure and create some memories. As you plan your excursion, don’t forget the food! 

A few things to keep in mind as you plan your picnic lunch:

Be safe.

Always pack perishable food in a cooler with lots of ice packs so it stays at a safe temperature.

Choose foods that travel well and are easy to eat. 

Casseroles, lasagnas, etc. are great for the dinner table but can be difficult to eat outdoors. Instead, choose things like sandwiches that can easily be eaten out of hand or or bean- and pasta-salads that require minimal utensils.

Think drinks!

Smoothies are a great option for picnics because they can be easily enjoyed with nothing more than a straw. Added bonus–if you pack them frozen, they’ll act as in ice pack helping keep your other food cold. They’ll slowly thaw so you can drink them by lunchtime.

Pack snacks!

If you’re out walking or running around you’ll be burning calories. Don’t forget to pack some healthy snacks to help you refuel throughout the day.

Need some inspiration as you get ready to pack your picnic basket? Try these:   

Picnic Cheeseboard

Mediterranean Chicken-Chickpea Salad

Kitchen Sink Cookies

Cabot has lots more nutritious recipes and ideas for summer picnic foods you can try. Whether you're looking for healthy picnic snacks, summer grilling or other picnic cheeseboards, we've got lots of recipes to inspire you.