Best Foods to Pack for a Beach Picnic

Eggplant adds both meaty flavor and texture to this simple pasta salad. It doesn’t get much better than a cold sandwich on the beach, in my opinion. Although wraps are great, too, as the fillings are tucked away on the inside, nice and protected. Cold, sweet grapes are one of our favorite beach day snacks.

This dish basically screams summertime, from the fresh corn succotash to the herby mayo mixture that coats shrimp. Here are my top five food items to add to your healthy and lean fridge this summer. These Southern recipes are mouth watering, easy to make, and sure to get you recognized as a Southern cook. “Pop a bag of organic, plain popcorn and transfer to a plastic baggie, or an eco-friendly container,” says Moreno.

The great thing about trail mix is it’s totally customizable. Toss together your favorite unsalted nuts, dried fruits and seeds or whatever else you can dream up, and you have an instant healthy snack. This perfect pairing of carbohydrates and protein is also packed with nutrients like antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids. Grab a KIND bar which is basically no-fuss portable trail mix in bar form. Avoid those that contain chocolate on a super hot day ; it can get messy fast. And don’t worry, I’ve got your vegan and vegetarian friends covered with tasty meat-free alternatives to some classic beach day foods like sandwiches.

Soft tortillas are wrapped around the filling of your choice and cut into bite-sized slices. Take pizza night out to the grill with this summery pizza that puts fresh shrimp to use. Bake your own fish at home for a lighter take on the deep-fried fish tacos you'll get at a restaurant. Set up a fresh toppings bar for everyone to personalize their plates. If we can put it in the slow cooker and forget about any worries while having a stroll on the beach, we're happy.

My kids were always excited whenever we broke out the snacks! We always found that crackers, yogurt, and fruit made a great combination. You won’t see my suggesting a lot of sandwiches on here (unlike the other lists I’ve seen). Honestly, if you’re sitting in the sand, feeding your kids a sandwich is impractical. When we head out to hit the beach, we always go armed with snacks to help us enjoy a full day there—without the need to leave to find food.

Hosting a picnic or hitting up the neighborhood party circuit? Keep things light and healthy by making one of these healthy and delicious recipes. If you’re bringing kids, then you’ll likely want to make sure your little ones have a lot of food to eat. I couldn't imagine anything more refreshing than a juicy peach after a short swim in the ocean. Clarissa loves experimenting with food of all cultures to make unique healthy dishes. When she’s not browsing Pinterest for new recipe inspiration she likes to pick up a DIY project and use her creative hands to make art or crafts.

These cute little skewers transform Caprese salad into a fun, bite-sized picnic food! Keep them traditional with cherry tomatoes, basil, and mozzarella, or add diced peaches for a sweet twist. Good picnic food doesn’t have to be complicated, and this Caprese sandwich is here to prove it. Juicy tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil fill it with delicious flavor and texture. Kendra Valkema Hummus is packed with protein and is a great dipping sauce with a variety of vegetables.

Last week, I forgot snacks for my daughter and ended up buying a bag of cheetos and some fruit for her. This is a fun way to combine some of the ideas above so you get different nutrients while you’re soaking up the sun. You can make trail mix at home or buy it at the store, and have a healthy-ish snack that is flavorful too. For desert, try some Lunch at the beach ripe and sweet summer produce. Sliced watermelon, cantaloupe or honeydew and cherries are all refreshing on a hot day. Although nectarines, peaches and apricots are at their prime during beach season, they bruise easily and need to be packed carefully.

Sometimes it can be hard to choose healthy options, especially when there are so many unhealthy foods out there that are very tempting. These healthy beach snacks are easy to pack and won't weigh you down before you head back into the ocean. The next time you're prepping for a beach day, make sure your bag has a few of these snacks to munch on.