Tip 1) Keep It Cool: First, let's start with a
packing for your picnic. Make sure you have a cooler that's large enough
to hold all of your cold food items. It's so easy for food to spoil in
the heat and the last thing you want is for you or your family and friends to
get sick. There's actually an art to packing a cooler: put the hard, cold
stuff on the bottom, add ice, then the squashable stuff at the top. Also,
if the cooler is half full, put some ice in a baggie or use frozen water
bottles to fill it up. Space allows air to circulate which will not keep your
food as fresh.
Tip 2) Stay Hydrated: Staying hydrated when
outdoors in the summer heat is very important. Alcohol and soft drinks
are don't hydrate and juice can be calorie-laden. Your best picnic
beverage option is water and you can spruce up the flavor by adding lemon and
orange slices. Just fill a pitcher with water and ice, add in some lemon
and orange slices and let sit for a few hours before serving.
Tip 3) Incorporate Activity: Don't just lounge
on your picnic blanket all day. If your park has a trail, take some time
for a brisk walk. Or bring some sports equipment – like a soccer ball or
football – and play a fun, competitive sport with your friends and
family. You'll burn off some calories and have fun at the same time.
4) Focus on Power Foods: Forget
the chips and junk food. Fruits, veggies, whole grains, non-fat dairy and
protein can all be a part of a healthy picnic! At Weight Watchers we call
these Power Foods …foods that are good for you and actually keep you satisfied
longer.
If you are trying to lose weight, it's important to pack
healthy snacks. Some ideal ones are a seasonal fruit salad, roasted
almonds, baked chips and pretzels. In addition, we have here two fabulous
picnic recipes that are light, healthy and satisfying.
The first is a Tomato, Basil & Smoked Mozzarella
Salad. Tomatoes, fresh basil and low-fat smoky mozzarella go together
beautifully. Add whole grain pasta and a splash of balsamic vinegar and you've
got a delicious and light picnic pasta salad.
The second recipe we have here are Mini Pita
Snackwiches. This recipe is full of fiber and fresh veggies. And
it's so simple to put together.
Mini Pita Snackwiches
Ingredients
4 small whole wheat pita(s), toasted and
halved
1/4 cup(s) store-bought hummus, three-pepper
flavor
1/4 medium cucumber(s), cut into 24 slices
2 small fresh radish(es), cut into 12
slices
1/2 cup(s) alfalfa sprouts
Instructions
Spread each pita half with 2 teaspoons of hummus. Fill each
half with 3 cucumber slices, 3 radish slices and 1 tablespoon sprouts.
Notes
If you can't find three-pepper hummus (look in the
natural-foods section of your supermarket, or try a natural food store), use
regular hummus.
For more great tips visit www.weightwatchers.com. Come in
and visit a meeting for free and see what we are all about!
