5 Healthy Lunches to Pack for the Beach
Most dried fruit will include double to even triple the sugar content of fresh fruit. In reality it should be treated as candy and popped about as often as, say, M&Ms. Another dangerous aspect of dried fruit is that it contains fructose which is an ingredient that doesn't signal your brain to stop eating.
Sure, you can toss a few snacks into your beach bag, but for a full day at the beach these are my cooler must-haves to keep you going. Pack a few light cheese options like low-fat string cheese (Trader Joes has a new fresh mozzarella cheese stick -- yum!),Laughing Cow wedges or Baby-Bel minis. They're perfect for pairing with a piece of fruit.
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.
Mixed with veggies and tossed in a light, lemony dressing, this is a vibrant salad that’s full of flavor. It’s filling, it’s tasty, and it’s very easy to throw together before heading out for the day. Full of healthy fats and protein, this is the fuel you’ll need to make the most of your summer. These fruity snacks aren’t just healthy, they’re also downright adorable. These tiny wraps are the perfect beach finger food. No matter what you’re craving, you’re bound to have fun in the sun with these mouthwatering beach bites.
So unless you have really great willpower, dried fruit will not be your friend. Stuffed Raspberries -Satisfy your sweet tooth with these stuffed raspberries! Each is stuffed with one dark chocolate semi-sweet morsel . It's just enough sweetness to kill the cravings. At just 100 calories for 1/2 cup of stuffed raspberries with 1 tablespoon chocolate chips, this is a yummy treat without going overboard. My mom’s picky about the recipes she adds to her regular rotation, but this one made the cut.
If your kids demand slices, slice them ahead of time and then use a rubber band to hold the slices on the core. It makes it easier to travel with and keeps the slices from browning. My son is a fan of pretzels so these are another snack I love to take with us places. However, they work especially well at the beach since they aren’t oily and won’t stick to anything. And, since these are self-contained and don’t require a spoon that will undoubtablely be put down in the sand, I get a mess-free way to feed them at the beach. With Lake Michigan so close to us now, my summer goal has been to spend as much time at the beach as possible.
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 Lunch at the beach 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.
They are low in calories, fast to make and will fill you up. You won't even have to leave the beach to enjoy this lunchtime snack. Sure, it might not fill you up completely, but it will definitely save you an extra trip to town or your house to make a full meal. Just throw one in your bag and you'll be set for the entire day.
You can also make a watermelon smoothie if you prefer and add extra ice in your hot/cold bottle to keep it cool. Just skip the chocolate, so it doesn't become a melted mess. These healthy pinwheels are quite easy to prepare and are loaded with fresh ingredients. Spread a base of three cheese dip onto a spinach tortilla wrap and top with your favorite veggies. Then, cut up the pinwheels, store in an airtight container and transport them to the beach in a cooler.