As spring approaches, many people start packing portable meals and dining outdoors. Whether you’re packing a picnic-style weekday lunch for one or a family-sized spread for a park outing, picnic food can be both fun and nutritious.
Here are some light and fun picnic food ideas
to help you plan your next outdoor meal.
Rainbow Fruit Kebabs
Fruits and vegetables are a naturally light and delightful picnic food. They contain antioxidants, which help support cellular health, and there is good evidence that a healthy diet includes eating plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avocados are a fresh fruit choice.
Fruit kebabs are an easy, handheld way to enjoy a variety of fruits during a picnic. Choose several different colored fruits, such as avocado, kiwi, pineapple, and strawberries, blackberries, or grapes. Prep the ingredients by peeling and cutting larger fruits into bite-sized pieces. Arrange the fruit on wooden skewers by color or alternate ingredients to make a pattern.
Avocado Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a warm weather staple. They’re traditionally made with mayonnaise, but avocado can be used instead for a source of good fat, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Eggs contain vitamin D. The unsaturated fat in avocados can act as an immune system nutrient booster by helping increase the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, K and E. Avocados naturally contain 6 grams of this good fat per serving, making them a unique fruit.
To make them, hard-boil as many eggs as you’d like, then peel the eggs, slice in half, and remove the yolks. Plan on using one avocado for every three to four eggs. Make the deviled filling by mashing the egg yolks with fresh avocado and a splash of white vinegar, lemon juice, or lime juice. Season with your favorite herbs and spices, such as minced chives, cilantro, dill, or garlic powder, and spoon it back into the hollowed egg whites.
Chicken and Avocado Tortilla Roll-Ups
This picnic food idea is a twist on chicken salad that replaces mayonnaise with avocado. MyPlate recommends making food choices that are lower in saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. Avocados are naturally low in saturated fat and do not contain any sodium or added sugars. You can substitute avocado for mayonnaise in creamy salad recipes, including chicken, tuna, and pasta salads.
To make roll-ups, mash avocado and then stir in shredded or chopped cooked white meat chicken. This is a great use for leftover grilled or roasted chicken or you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken.
Season the chicken and avocado mixture with salt and pepper and/or add fresh herbs. You can even stir in finely chopped vegetables for added texture. Cucumber, bell pepper, celery, and red onion are good choices. To assemble, spread your creation on whole-grain tortillas, roll tightly, and slice into pinwheels.
Picnic food can be portable, fun to eat, and nutritious. Use these light and fun picnic food ideas to fill your basket this spring.
