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.

It’s piled high with savory marinated tempeh, fresh veggies, avocado, and two flavorful spreads. Here’s a rare sandwich that actually improves as it sits. Make it in the morning on the day of your picnic, or even the night before, so that the tomato and artichoke juices have time to mingle before you eat. Fill it with something smooth and creamy like peanut butter or cream cheese. This lunch is perfect is your trying to be healthy. You can pair hummus with almost any vegetable and be satisfied.

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.

Skip the chicken salad, and make chickPEA salad instead! This creamy vegan sandwich filling contrasts perfectly with crisp veggies and soft baguette. This cheese is stored tightly in wax, so it should last for a while in the sun.

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 vlog 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 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.