| When determing the menu for a picnic, the | | | | 98% lean hamburger. These alternatives are |
| name of the game is tasty. But, tasty doesn't | | | | tasty and will benefit your family's health. |
| have to equate to unhealthy. A picnic menu | | | | When dressing the burger, add a generous |
| can be just as nutritious and easy as a meal | | | | slice of tomato, onion, and/or lettuce. |
| you would serve at home. | | | | |
| | | | The more food items you can make ahead of |
| Picnic appetizers keep guests from going stir | | | | time, the more calm the actual picnic will |
| crazy while they wait for the grill to warm | | | | be. Chicken breast or seafood kabobs can be |
| up. Prepare or buy a container of veggie dip. | | | | purchased fresh directly from the meat |
| If you buy the dip, purchase the light | | | | department of the local grocer. Keep them in |
| version. When whipping up a dip, substitute | | | | a ice packed cooler until ready to grill. A |
| regular ranch dressing with a ranch seasoning | | | | side dish of brown rice can be served with |
| mix and a container of low fat sour cream. | | | | the kabobs for a complete meal. |
| The taste is just as flavorful but without | | | | |
| all of the added calories. | | | | Dessert at a picnic usually consists of cake |
| | | | or some other sweet confection. Fruit salad |
| To accompany your dip, consider a raw | | | | is a healthy twist on dessert. A combination |
| vegetable platter. Vegetables are less heavy | | | | of sweet fruits topped with coconut pieces or |
| than chips and they won't negatively impact | | | | served with a fruit dip satisfies the sugar |
| your waistline if you over indulge. Preparing | | | | craving. Try grilled fruits like pineapples |
| the vegetables the eve of gives you more time | | | | or peaches for a tangy tasting dessert. |
| the day of the picnic. Vegetables can be | | | | |
| sliced into decorative chips with a crinkle | | | | When it comes to drinks, opt for bottled |
| cutter for added variety. | | | | water or juices. Sugar free flavor packets |
| | | | can be added to bottled water for a fruity |
| If the kids require salty snacks, opt for the | | | | drink if you don't want to drink juice. If |
| baked variety. Most snack companies make a | | | | picnickers will be in the sun a lot, water |
| baked, lower fat option of their popular | | | | offers better hydration than soda drinks. |
| snacks. Even better, one hundred calorie | | | | |
| snack bags will keep them from consuming too | | | | A picnic doesn't have to be the end of a |
| many of their favorite snacks. | | | | health conscious way of eating. Healthier |
| | | | menu items can be managed even on the grill. |
| Frozen burger patties don't have to be diet | | | | Pre-planning can keep the menu less filling |
| busters. Choose from turkey burger patties or | | | | not to mention easy and stress-free. |