These holidays, you don’t need to spend a fortune on pricey and fatty snacks from garage pit stops when you’re on the road. And likewise, when it comes to picnics and beach snacks, there are plenty of tasty and healthy alternatives to the traditional soggy sandwich!
Here are our top suggestions, let us know what you pack to eat for a day on the beach, a picnic or road trip.
Fresh Fruit:
Seasonal summer fruit is the best! Strawberries, grapes, watermelon – what’s not tolove? Fruit can leave you with sticky fingers though, so try cutting it into bite-size chunks and putting them on kebab sticks. Store the fruit sticks in a plastic container and you’re good to go.
Sandwiches:
Sandwiches are actually perfect, easy to eat snacks, as long as they aren’t soggy. This means sticking to fillings such as cold meats, cheese, salads and egg. If you like mayonnaise on your sandwich, take it with you and add it just before you eat it, to avoid the soggy bread saga.
Sweet potato chips:
Fried chips are packed with unhealthy snacks, so rather make your own baked sweet potato chips – they’re guaranteed to go down a treat at any picnic. Sweet potatoes are high in beta-carotene and antioxidants, which make them a healthy alternative to normal potatoes. To make your own sweet potato chips: cut thin slices, rub with olive oil and roast until they’re golden brown.
Homemade Muffins:
What’s great about muffins is that you can make a big batch in advance and freeze them. Homemade muffins are also a great way to “sneak” in fruit and vegetables such as apples, spinach, carrots and raisins. In fact, it works so well that any kid will happily munch of them without knowing any better.
Nibbles:
Finger foods such as cherry tomatoes, carrot and cucumber sticks, cheese wedges, mini yoghurts, popcorn and biltong are perfect for snacking in the car or on the beach. And they make a lovely picnic spread.
Drinks:
Remember to include drinks such as fruit juice and water for everyone who isn’t sipping wine – like the designated driver.
Frozen yoghurt and sorbet:
Although it’s a favourite summer treat, ice cream is high in calories and saturated fat. A small cup of chocolate ice cream for example can contain as much as 300kcal. Rather opt for low-fat frozen yoghurt or sorbet, you’ll save yourself about half the calories.
Finally, when it comes to packing foods like this, remember to add a few freezer packs to your insulated box – it will keep food and drinks cooler and fresher for longer.