Picnic Food Made Healthy

The summer weather practically demands that you spend more time outdoors, and going on a picnic is a classic way to get outside and enjoy tasty treats all at once. If you live in north Indianapolis apartments like Williamsburg North, you’ll already be in an ideal location to get to many top local parks perfect for a picnic. Then you have to make a critical decision: what food to pack. There’s the typical fatty chicken salad and egg salad or salty chips and other prepackaged foods. But what if you’re looking for some healthier options to lighten things up? Try one of these refreshing options for your next picnic! 

#1: Loaded Cauliflower Salad

Loaded cauliflower?! You read that right! This is a new take on the familiar picnic staple: potato salad. It still includes plenty of your favorite ingredients. You’ll have bacon, cheese, and mayo in there, but the central ingredient is cauliflower. This salad is made to be served warm or at room temperature, so it’s ideal for a picnic when you don’t want to worry about chilling everything. It’s also just 3 easy steps so you’ll have minimal prep time. 

#2: Basil Lemonade

If you love the refreshing nature of lemonade but would rather avoid powdered mix or heaps upon heaps of sugar, try this unique twist. It uses honey or agave in place of regular sugar, which is easier for the body to digest since it hasn’t been processed. The addition of basil also makes this extra refreshing. It’s also just as easy as typical lemonade to pack up and take with you. 

#3: Spinach Hummus Wrap

You’ll love this fresh, veggie-forward alternative to a basic lunch meat sandwich or wrap. Make it vegan with a corn tortilla and enjoy the added flavor and texture of two different homemade hummus spreads. You can also make it your own with whatever protein you enjoy most. You can use vegan-friendly options like tofu or seitan or you can add a lean protein like grilled chicken or steak. 

#4: Carrot and Beet Salad

Tired of the usual lettuce salad or don’t want to settle for a store-bought veggie tray? This salad uses plenty of veggies but no lettuce and includes a nice light dressing that keeps it fresh even in the heat. All you have to do is follow three simple steps, and you’re done. It’s very versatile, so if you like the dressing but prefer other hearty root vegetables, feel free to make some substitutions. You can also do the reverse and keep the veggies but change up the dressing to suit your taste. 

#5: Caprese Skewers

Wouldn’t it be great to get in your fruits and herbs and cheese and have a grabbable snack all without cooking a thing? You absolutely can with this snack that mashes up cantaloupe, fresh basil, mozzarella, and tomato and is finished with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. It also looks very colorful on the plate, the perfect addition to your fresh picnic. 

#6: Tropical Mango Papaya Fruit Salsa

Forget average chips and dips and take a tropical detour with this tangy, sweet, and savory dish. You’ll mix up mangos and papaya with red onion, jalapeno, and more to make a zingy salsa. Then you can pair it with a chip of your choice or even be daring and fry up your own tortilla chips to scoop with. It’s also safe to keep in the fridge for up to a week, so you can enjoy it on picnic day and beyond.

#7: Strawberry Oatmeal Bars

Dessert can be a real challenge when you’re going on a picnic because it’s hard to slice something well when you’re on a blanket, and anything chilled may not make it through the meal with only a cooler and some ice or ice packs. There’s also the challenge of keeping it sweet but on the healthy side, too. That makes these a perfect choice! With a minimal ingredient list and just two prep steps, you’ll have a dessert that you can slice into bars ahead of time and that tastes delicious. 

Are you searching for Indianapolis apartments for rent that make it easy to pack a picnic and enjoy your culinary creations? You should visit Williamsburg North where our incredible amenities will provide everything you need to enjoy a picnic. We have a dog park, playground, picnic area, swimming pool, and more. Learn more and call today: (317) 648-5854