11 delicious and healthy foods to pack for picnics

Cheese and crackers

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If you’re going to have a picnic, you might as well make it a fancy affair. Crispy thin plain crackers taste amazing paired with a cheese of your choice. Opt for multigrain crackers for an extra nutty taste that will enhance the taste of feta, goat, cottage or even cream cheese. It’s a perfect starter!

Corn chips and salsa

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Why not have a healthy twist on the classic favourite nachos? This time, pick up a bag of lightly salted corn chips and be sure to check the calorie count at the back of the bag to control your portion size. Bring along a healthy side of freshly chopped tomatoes, onions and cilantro and a dash of lime for some juicy salsa. They will fill your stomach up more quickly, hence preventing you from going ham on the corn chips.

Finger sandwiches

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Top off a wholegrain slice of bread with sliced cheese, thinly cut fresh vegetables and a protein of your choice - either tuna, lentils, smoked salmon or roasted chicken. Season with pepper, salt and lemon for a zesty zing without the calorie-laden dressings. Cut the sandwich up into tiny rectangles to make your picnic feel like a chic afternoon tea party!

(Read aslo "9 Bakeries In Singapore To Get Your Sourdough Fix")

Chicken mango wrap

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Grab a wrap and spread some avocado on it before layering your favourite vegetables on top. Add some grilled chicken and mango cubes that will provide a sweet, juicy burst in every bite. Cut the wraps in half and share it with your friend. If perfect, sunny weather was a type of food, it would be this wrap!

Sushi

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Add a thin layer of brown rice on a plain nori wrap. Place shredded cucumbers or carrots on top, followed by some sashimi. If you’re unsure about the freshness of the fish, boiled salmon works just as well. Roll it up and you’ve got yourself a lip-smacking, healthy sushi. Enjoy it with shoyu sauce or wasabi!

Oven roasted sweet potatoes

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Turn the sweet flesh of this nutritious root into mouth-watering savoury goodness by baking in the oven with salt, pepper, olive oil and garlic. Oven roast them at about 200 degree Celcius for 30 minutes before packing them in containers for a filling and yummy picnic treat.

Berries

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Treat your body with antioxidants by occasionally popping a few berries in your mouth. The lovely view from your picnic mat will make the berries even more delicious.

Oatmeal cookies

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Drop the stigma about oatmeal cookies, they taste great! Crisp rolled oats bound together with honey and butter - what’s not to love? Be careful with your portion size though, as calories can quickly add up.

Lemonade

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Sweeten a brewed tea of your choice with honey. Then add a few ice cubes and a slice of lemon to it. This low-calorie iced tea makes for a perfect picnic drink amidst the humidity.

Fruit smoothie

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If you want something rich and creamy, blend some of your favourite fruits at home with almond milk or yoghurt. Bananas, berries, avocados and mangoes taste so good, that you won’t need any additional sugar in your smoothie mix.

(Here are "11 Delicious And Healthy Fruit Juice Combinations To Try")

Red wine

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Moderate consumption of red wine helps with heart health, so bust a glass out with your cheese and crackers. Be warned that although red wine is rich in antioxidants, excessive alcohol consumption can be harmful so limit yourself to a maximum of two glasses!

This article was first published in Shape Singapore.