9 Healthy Foods For Your Next Picnic

Summer is all about outdoor dining, and while backyard BBQs and cookouts get most of the attention there's something to be said about the humble picnic. Bringing back bouts of nostalgia, picnics are an easy way to enjoy a meal wherever you might be – no grill needed. From your backyard, to the beach, to your favorite park, these portable dinner parties are a fun way to get out of the house and celebrate the warmer weather with friends and family.

Antipasto salad is the perfect filling yet healthy side for any low carb or paleo eaters at your picnic. In this recipe, bone-strengthening calcium comes from the addition of mozzarella, while filling pepperoni and artichokes round out the dish.

 Beets are high in many vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, and C, potassium, magnesium, and iron, and they're a delicious addition to any picnic. Their vibrant colors and earthy flavors pair well with fresh herbs and citrus in this salad.

What's a meal without dessert? These skewers beat the heat with frozen grapes and bananas and have just enough chocolate to feel sinful without all the calories. Just make sure to keep them in the cooler until you're ready to enjoy them.

Who knew your Cinco de Mayo favorite was such a superfood? Guac is packed with fiber, vitamin E, and healthy fats that can actually help curb hunger in the long run. Sub in guacamole for mayo on your sandwiches, or pair with sliced vegetables for chips for a picnic win.

These energy balls are gluten-, corn-, peanut- and dairy-free, meaning they're the perfect dessert for nearly any eater, no matter what his or her diet or allergy. Plus, these energy balls are no-bake, meaning you don't have to turn on the oven to crank them out. Not a fan of figs or almond butter? No worries, you can sub in any dried fruit and nut butter of your choice.

Heirloom tomatoes are at their peak in the summer, and this pico de gallo recipe from Catherine McCord makes the perfect salsa for spooning over chicken or dipping into with some gluten-free chips.

For a change of pace, try this dish inspired by the flavors of Japan. Soba noodles are lower in calories than typical wheat-based pastas, and this dish utilizes no-sugar-added peanut butter and sesame oil to add flavor, while cutting down on the amount of noodles used by subbing in thinly cut bell peppers for half the dish.

Leftover turkey burger patties from last weekend's cookout are perfect to bring along for this week's picnic. Lower in saturated fat than your typical beef patty, and high in muscle-building protein, these burgers pack a punch with the addition of green chiles.

Not only is this dish low in calories, it'll also keep you hydrated and cool throughout your picnic.