A picnic is a great summer activity. It's an excellent way to enjoy an afternoon with a friend while getting some fresh air and enjoying a meal. However, for someone with dietary restrictions, it's easy to draw a blank on what you should pack for a picnic. I know the feeling. A sandwich is the first food that comes to mind when I hear the word picnic. When I think about sandwiches, I picture rich, creamy peanut butter melting over a piece of freshly toasted wheat bread.
After this image goes away, I realize two things:
1. I miss bread and peanut butter with the intensity of a thousand suns.
2. I have to eat an extremely restricted diet.
Although I enjoy eating healthy food, I cannot say that my strict diet was ever my choice. Because I have chronic Lyme Disease--and I am struggling to overcome a bacterial/fungal overgrowth--I have to eat a body-balancing diet. This type of diet involves avoiding sugar (even most types of fruit that are considered healthy!), carbs, starches, grains, and legumes. Essentially, it's a diet rich in protein, vegetables, and healthy fats.
Needless to say, I can attest to the challenges it takes to feed yourself on a day-to-day basis. Eating is practically a full-time job. And, at social functions, it's difficult to not feel alone while staring at a plate full of vegetables.
Well, when my friend invited me out for a picnic, these are a few of the dishes I made:
1. Oven Roasted Vegetables:
Roasted vegetables are a rich and healthy option for a picnic. It’s also an option that allows you to spice to up your vegetables. I like to season my veggies with garlic powder; pepper; red pepper flakes; and kosher salt/sea salt. Some great some summer vegetables to roast are broccoli, cauliflower, summer squash, and zucchini.
The preparation for roasting vegetables is pretty simple too:
- Preheat your oven or convection oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut up your vegetables however you prefer.
- Place aluminum foil over metal pan and place your vegetables in the pan.
- Cover with seasonings and olive oil.
- Place in oven/convection oven and let cook for about twenty minutes. I usually roast my vegetables longer because I like them crisp. I just keep on eye on them. Once they are browned enough, I pull them out of the oven.
2. Salmon:
Salmon is a pretty easy, delicious, and healthy option to add protein to your meal. It’s simple to cook as well. Cook time for a small piece of salmon will take anywhere from 15-20 minutes. My parents usually get frozen salmon, so I have to let it thaw the day before. Otherwise, it’s a pretty quick dish to throw together.
Preparation for salmon:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Rinse salmon and place in oven safe glass pan.
- Sprinkle seasonings over the salmon.
- Squeeze a little lemon/lemon juice over the fish.
- Pour a little olive oil over the salmon.
- Stick in oven and let cook for 15-20 minutes.
3. Salad:
Salad is more of a typical healthy choice, but salads are actually a good option for a picnic because they make for a light side dish. The great thing about salad is that it's versatile: there are a variety of ways to make a salad.
For the picnic, I stuck to a boring salad made with spinach, iceberg lettuce, and an English cucumber. Part of me believes that salad almost has a right to be boring. I'm not a huge fan of dressing, so I never use it.
However, I enjoy topping my salads with my roasted vegetables. Yes, I eat my vegetables with my vegetables; it's like a meta-salad. Cubed avocado is another topping I enjoy. A few more ways you can liven up a salad is by adding a variety of different colored vegetables like yellow and red peppers.
4. Nuts and Seeds:
For a light snack, or as a side, nuts and seeds are the quickest healthy option. They also add a nice crunch to a simple salad.
Some of my favorites are almonds, pecans, brazil nuts, and pumpkin seeds.
Beverages:
Lemon water makes for a refreshing and healthy beverage for a summer picnic.
