When it comes to deciding what to place in your summer picnic basket, you want to fill up on an array of healthy and tasty dishes that include protein, fruits, vegetables and salads.

You also don’t want your food to spoil in the heat. “You want to make sure the food you’re serving your friends and family is stored at the right temperature so you don’t pass along any foodborne illnesses,” says Laura Ali, a registered dietitian based in Pittsburgh. She’s also a certified culinary nutritionist and author of the book, “MIND Diet for Two.”

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing for a picnic.

Food that needs to be kept cold, such as potato or tuna salad, shouldn’t be outside a refrigerator or cooler for more than two hours, or one hour when the temperature is 90 degrees or above, Ali says. “If it should be cold, keep it cold,” she says. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Foods that aren’t properly cooled are at risk of developing bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.

Symptoms of food poisoning include:

• Gastrointestinal pain.
• Fever.
• Chills.
• Fatigue.
• Weakness.
• Nausea.

To have a safe picnic, wash your hands and all cutting boards, knives and grilling equipment well before using them. If the picnic area doesn’t have water, pack up sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer to take along.

Wash all your fruits and vegetables well before eating or cutting them. This prevents bacteria from moving from the knife into the produce as you cut through it. Washing and slicing produce such as peaches, melons, plums, mangoes and nectarines at the picnic site, rather than in advance, also reduces the need for cool storage and the risk of foodborne illness.

To assure your picnic foods won’t spoil, keep cold food cold and hot food hot, Ali advises. Here are a few tips:

• Pack your cooler with ice and ice packs.
• Wrap all meat and poultry items tightly in resealable bags surrounded by ice.
• Allow perishable items such as dairy-based sala
  

  3. Fresh fruits

  Fresh fruits are great options for picnics and barbecues, says Sharon Palmer, a registered dietitian based in Los Angeles who writes a blog that focuses on plant-based eating. “You can just pack them whole; you don’t need to chop them up. They don’t require refrigeration if the picnic’s just for a few hours.

   

  The Best Picnic Foods That Won’t Spoil in Warm Weather

  Enjoy your summer outings with our picks for the best picnic foods that keep well in the heat.

  By Ruben Castaneda

  Reviewed by Tamara Duker Freuman, MS, RD, CDN

  from https://health.usnews.com/

  Picnic foods tfhat won’t spoil in heat

  When it comes to deciding what to place in your summer picnic basket, you want to fill up on an array of healthy and tasty dishes that include protein, fruits, vegetables and salads.

  You also don’t want your food to spoil in the heat. “You want to make sure the food you’re serving your friends and family is stored at the right temperature so you don’t pass along any foodborne illnesses,” says Laura Ali, a registered dietitian based in Pittsburgh. She’s also a certified culinary nutritionist and author of the book, “MIND Diet for Two.”

  Prioritize safety.

  Food that needs to be kept cold, such as potato or tuna salad, shouldn’t be outside a refrigerator or cooler for more than two hours, or one hour when the temperature is 90 degrees or above, Ali says. “If it should be cold, keep it cold,” she says. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

  Foods that aren’t properly cooled are at risk of developing bacteria, which can cause food poisoning.

  Symptoms of food poisoning include:

  • Gastrointestinal pain.
  • Fever.
  • Chills.
  • Fatigue.
  • Weakness.
  • Nausea.

  NEXT:Keep everything clean.

  

  3/18

   CREDIT

  Keep everything clean.

  To have a safe picnic, wash your hands and all cutting boards, knives and grilling equipment well before using them. If the picnic area doesn’t have water, pack up sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer to take along.

  Wash all your fruits and vegetables well before eating or cutting them. This prevents bacteria from moving from the knife into the produce as you cut through it. Washing and slicing produce such as peaches, melons, plums, mangoes and nectarines at the picnic site, rather than in advance, also reduces the need for cool storage and the risk of foodborne illness.

  NEXT:Focus on proper temperatures.

  

  4/18

   CREDIT

  Focus on proper temperatures.

  To assure your picnic foods won’t spoil, keep cold food cold and hot food hot, Ali advises. Here are a few tips:

  • Pack your cooler with ice and ice packs.
  • Wrap all meat and poultry items tightly in resealable bags surrounded by ice.
  • Allow perishable items such as dairy-based salads, meat, poultry and cheese to sit out no more than two hours, then put it back in the cooler.
  • If the temperature is over 90 degrees, pack perishables up after an hour. You can pull it out later if someone wants leftovers.

  Keeping these food safety and prep tips in mind, here are 11 picnic foods that are good options for warm-weather outdoor eating:

  NEXT:1. Dried fruits, nuts and seeds

  

  5/18

   CREDIT

  1. Dried fruits, nuts and seeds

  “Dried fruits, nuts and seeds will hold beautifully at your picnic table or even in the car in case you forget to take them out,” says Amanda Sauceda, a registered dietitian in Long Beach, California. “Mix all three together for an easy trail mix that people can munch on. Dried fruit will add a touch of natural sweetness and fiber. Nuts and seeds are the whole package because they have protein, healthy fats and fiber.”

  Enjoy these nuts and seeds at your next picnic or barbecue:

  • Almonds.
  • Cashews.
  • Macadamia nuts.
  • Pecans.
  • Pumpkin seeds.
  • Sunflower seeds.
  • Walnuts.

  NEXT:2. Fish and chicken in pouches

  

  6/18

   CREDIT

  2. Fish and chicken in pouches

  Being active can build up some hearty appetites, Ali says. “Taking along some snacks full of lean protein will help fill you up and keep you going. Individual sealed pouches of salmon or chicken are great take-along options for active outings. There are a variety of flavor options to choose from, and they are small and light, so they are easy to carry with you.”

  Bring bread and wraps to make sandwiches and wraps. Make sure to eat quickly or store the bread and wraps properly after opening to avoid the risk of spoilage.

  NEXT:3. Fresh fruits

  

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   CREDIT

  3. Fresh fruits

  Fresh fruits are great options for picnics and barbecues, says Sharon Palmer, a registered dietitian based in Los Angeles who writes a blog that focuses on plant-based eating. “You can just pack them whole; you don’t need to chop them up. They don’t require refrigeration if the picnic’s just for a few hours. They’re colorful and blend in with the outdoor environment.”

  Fruits that are great for picnics include:

  • Apples.
  • Apricots.
  • Blackberries.
  • Blueberries.
  • Cantaloupe.
  • Cherries.
  • Pears.
  • Peaches.
  • Plums.
  • Nectarines.
  • Strawberries.
  • Watermelon.

  NEXT:4. Fresh vegetable salads

  

  8/18

   CREDIT

  4. Fresh vegetable salads

  Nothing beats a fresh, light summer salad full of colorful vegetables, Ali says.

  Fresh vegetable salads can include such ingredients as:

  • Broccoli.
  • Cucumbers.
  • Tomatoes.
  • Red onions.
  • Peppers.

  Wash everything ahead of time and pack the vegetables up in a serving bowl. Lay a damp, clean paper towel on top of the veggies and seal it to store in the cooler. Pack the dressing separately – a balsamic vinaigrette would be perfect – and toss it with the salad just before serving. Everything will stay fresh and crisp. “Vegetable salads are an easy way to get in your recommended five servings (of veggies) per day,” says Beth Czerwony, a registered dietitian with Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Human Nutrition.