fter enduring many months of sub-zero winter temperatures and damp, dreary spring showers, Canadians long to get outside and stay outside! Planning fun outdoor activities offers your family many benefits. It builds togetherness, creates shared memories and provides an opportunity to explore the wonders of nature. After an active day of hiking, cycling or swimming, continue the joy of each other’s company – and the great outdoors – with a hearty picnic. Unlike typical family meals, a picnic allows us to pause, relax and simply share the feast, the experience and the quality time spent together.

It may be tempting to skip the extra work required in picnic preparation by simply picking up fast food on the way to your destination. Don't do it! The added calories, fat and sodium typically found in convenience foods and their consumption will counteract all the health benefits achieved by the family’s activities on your day’s excursion.

Packing your own food controls both nutrition and cost. With a little planning and getting the whole family involved with the preparation, you can easily create and carry out a portable and wholesome feast everyone will be sure to enjoy.


Picnic planning 123’s

Pick a theme such as
‘a farmer's market feast’ or ‘Mediterranean
picnic’ and let it inspire you, but do consider your dining destination and develop your menu accordingly.
Typically, cold food items are easier to assemble and transport as they
don’t require lugging bulky cooking equipment for preparation. Make a checklist for all food and equipment required and review before heading out so that you don’t leave any essentials behind.

Prepare food the night before the excursion, and store individually in lightweight, reusable containers. Refrigerate perishables immediately for food safety and to ensure foods are well-chilled prior to transporting.

Pack! You’ll need one or two coolers, ice packs, utensils for serving, lightweight reuseable or compostable cutlery, cups and plates, a cutting board, dual-purpose can/bottle opener, condiments, napkins, a dish towel, trash bags for cleanup, a blanket or picnic tablecloth. Also include these useful items: plastic tarp (if the ground is wet or it rains), water required for food preparation and cleanup, bug repellent, first aid kit, sunscreen, hand sanitizer and an umbrella or two for shade.

Wholesome picnic fare
Classic and popular picnic menu items, like fried chicken and ice cream are high in both calories and fat. Renovate your picnic basket with these nutritious and smart substitutions:

• Instead of hot dogs, reduce portion sizes of cured meats by making healthy and compact 4-food-group kebabs; thread cubes of lean ham or turkey kielbasa, partly skimmed cheese, bell peppers and crusty bread on wooden skewers
• Substitute high-fat creamy pasta and potato salads for marinated vegetable, grain and bean salads
• Replace potato chips with thin slices of fresh vegetables such as carrot, celery and daikon (white radish), and keep crunchy by adding a layer of damp paper towel to your container or resealable storage bag
• For a great alternative to sugary pop, keep your group thirst-quenched and hydrated by preparing a drink that combines equal parts cold, steeped herbal or fruit-based tea with 100% fruit juice.