6 Great Diabetic Food Options For National Picnic Month

With National Picnic Month now upon us, you might be thinking about taking a picnic basket out with your significant other and enjoying some food in the sun. This is a great way to take in the season and can also be a good way to fuel your body if you plan properly.

Many people associate picnics with less than healthy foods but it just doesn’t have to be this way. There are plenty of great diabetic food options that you can turn to as well.

If you’re doing a full campfire picnic, you’ll have enough more options as then you can do some additional cooking and grill some chicken breasts to serve as chicken burgers or prepare some corn on the cob or beans.

For now, let’s stick with packed foods, however, and go over some of the great choices to consider.

1. Fresh Fruit

You simply can’t beat fresh fruit. Whether you pack the fruit whole such as an apple, orange, or some grapes or you choose to take it sliced already such as the case with melons or kiwifruit, fresh fruit is a sweet treat that’s perfect for a hot day. Pack it on some ice and you’re set.

2. Salads And More Salads

Salads are a must for just about any picnic you take out as a diabetic. Salads are low in calories, pack in some fiber, and give you a wealth of antioxidants. Best of all, they’re easy to customize. Want some protein in your salad? No problem. Just add some hard-boiled eggs or freshly cooked shrimp. Need more fats? Avocados fit the bill perfectly.

Because you can prepare the salad however you prefer, you will never struggle to make it work with your diet plan. Just do watch the dressings you layer on as if anything, those will add unwanted fat and calories.

3. Low Fat Deli Meat

Deli meat is another thing that you might want to consider packing in your picnic basket. Deli meat is great as it’s easy to take on the go and can be served with wraps or on its own as a quick source of protein. As deli meat is processed you don’t want to be eating it all the time, but on the occasional picnic, it can be a great solution.

4. Raw Vegetables And Hummus

Another way to get some vegetables and fiber into your diet is with some raw vegetables and hummus. Hummus is a great source of complex carbohydrates so it will fuel the activities that you have planned later on in the day. Since vegetables are so low-cal themselves, if the dip you serve them with is healthy and packs in the energy, you have a great snack on-hand.

5. Ezekiel Bread Sandwiches

Sandwiches are a classic go-to option for picnics and definitely don’t fear Ezekiel bread sandwiches. This type of bread is far healthier and will help you stay on track with your diet, so can be a perfect option for those who are sandwich lovers at heart. Just hold the mayonnaise and butter on those sandwiches and use mustard and avocado instead.

6. Low Fat Cheese

Finally, low-fat cubes of cheese are energy boosters that are also low carb in nature, so they are ideal for people with diabetes watching their blood sugar levels. You might even be able to pair some of your cheese with crackers if you’re watching your portion control and have the wiggle room in your diet for carbs.

So there you have a number of good options to consider. As you can see, there’s definitely no limitations on the options you have if you get a bit creative. Just remember to keep things as balanced as possible, meaning you’ll want to take in some carbohydrates, proteins, and dietary fat.