picnic-related stories
Picnic Foods That Won't Pack on Pounds
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| Photo: langalex, Flickr |
- Veggie wrap. Load a whole-grain tortilla with a little cheese and as many veggies as you can fit. Try a mix of sprouts, tomato, cucumber and shredded carrot. Dress it up with mustard and some freshly ground pepper and then roll it up. It's a healthful and easy to eat sandwich.
- Hard-boiled eggs. Perfect for packing, hard-boiled eggs come in their own container. That means less waste to take home with you. Plus, they're tasty and high in protein -- energy for the bike ride, hike or walk back home.
- Your choice of dip. Salsa and hummus are both healthful alternatives to dip. You can bring some baked chips or, better yet, dip strips of bell pepper and cucumber instead.
- A better slaw salad. Tanya Zuckerbrot's take on an Asian Slaw Salad isn't just a lighter alternative to this favorite, it's also picnic friendly.
- Fruit. Convenient and easy to pack, fruit is a sweet ending for your meal.
- Sweeter yet. Does your summer meal feel incomplete without a brownie-like treat? Modify a favorite recipe to make it a bit healthier. For example, you can try zucchini brownies or you can make Toll House pan cookies but use whole-wheat flour instead of white and applesauce instead of the butter/oil.
For more ideas, check out these eight picnic treats under 80 calories.
Slim Summer Survival Guide
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Christine Avanti, author of "Skinny Chicks Don't Eat Salads"
That's Fit: It's nearly summer and that means BBQs, picnics, family gatherings and more. What are some surefire safe bets to eat?
Avanti: Grilled chicken burgers are always the best choice! If you can throw on a non-fat American cheese slice [and place it on a] whole wheat bun, with all the toppings and a corn cob on the side, you've got a meal that is as healthy, balanced and wholesome as it gets. Grilled food is great -- not only healthy, but delicious. My grill would have not only chicken breasts, but turkey burgers and lean meats (loin cuts, such as pork loin or beef tenderloin). I also love to do skewers loaded with veggies such as pearl onions, red and yellow peppers and cherry tomatoes. Just chop, spray with extra virgin olive oil and drizzle with Kosher salt, grill and enjoy!
Avanti: Grilled chicken burgers are always the best choice! If you can throw on a non-fat American cheese slice [and place it on a] whole wheat bun, with all the toppings and a corn cob on the side, you've got a meal that is as healthy, balanced and wholesome as it gets. Grilled food is great -- not only healthy, but delicious. My grill would have not only chicken breasts, but turkey burgers and lean meats (loin cuts, such as pork loin or beef tenderloin). I also love to do skewers loaded with veggies such as pearl onions, red and yellow peppers and cherry tomatoes. Just chop, spray with extra virgin olive oil and drizzle with Kosher salt, grill and enjoy!
Summer Body Meal Plan - Links We Love
Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
We at That's Fit and AOL Health know you've got a lot going on in your lives besides staying in great shape, and we realize that more than just diet and exercise goes into feeling your best every day. That's why we're sharing some of the exciting reporting going on at AOL Health.
It's almost Memorial Day and that means it's almost summer. But that doesn't mean it's too late to get in gear for the bikini-sporting season. At AOL Health, you'll find a tempting array of lean meals in the "Summer-Body Diet Plan," as well as a few foods you shouldn't eat in our photo gallery of summer health food shockers. Plus, test your knowledge of picnic, barbecue and amusement park fare in our "Which Summer Food is Diet-Friendly?" quiz challenge.
It's almost Memorial Day and that means it's almost summer. But that doesn't mean it's too late to get in gear for the bikini-sporting season. At AOL Health, you'll find a tempting array of lean meals in the "Summer-Body Diet Plan," as well as a few foods you shouldn't eat in our photo gallery of summer health food shockers. Plus, test your knowledge of picnic, barbecue and amusement park fare in our "Which Summer Food is Diet-Friendly?" quiz challenge.
How to protect your picnic food
Healthy Habits, Diet & Weight Loss, Nutrition & Supplements
Protect yourself in the outdoors, says The American Cancer Society (ACS) -- read all about it here -- and protect your picnic food too, say the cancer experts who are sending me an electronic monthly newsletter all about healthy living.Warm weather poses a big threat of food-borne illness, according to the ACS. So: Keep bacteria away at your next outdoor feast with these five easy steps.
- Wash your hands before cooking and again after cooking, especially after touching raw meat. If you aren't near a faucet, grab a wet napkin or hand sanitizer -- they'll reduce the number of germs on your hands.
- Keep hot food hot. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and chicken should be kept at 140 degrees F or warmer.
- Keep cold foods cold. Even if you've got your food packed in a cooler, tuck it in a shady area. Keep at 41 degrees F or cooler.
- Wash melons before cutting them. This way, less bacteria will slip into the flesh from the rind when you slice them.
- Bring extra plates to cut down on cross-contamination. Use some to handle raw foods and others to handle cooked foods.
Picnic tips for the low-carb lifestyle
Summer is a great time to enjoy a picnic with family and friends. But picnics can be a bit of a nightmare if you're trying to diet. But have no fear -- here are some picnic suggestions with the low-carb dieter in mind:
What picnic tips do you have?
- Skip the soda--opt for something calorie-free and more refreshing like ice-cold water or unsweetened Ice tea.
- Instead of bringing the usual pre-made sandwiches, separate all the ingredients--whole wheat bread, veggies, lean meats, low-cal spreads, etc.--into separate containers or baggies, allowing for delicious custom-made sandwiches or even a salad made on the spot!
- If Peanut Butter sandwiches are your thing, why not try an alternative, like almond butter?
- Forgo high-calorie desserts and instead bring some fresh fruit
What picnic tips do you have?
