Q's Day: Plan a Picnic

We can have fun eating in different locations once the snow has gone and the grass is green.  It finally feels like Spring is here and that gets me excited about picnics and BBQs.  We had planned to have a Sunday picnic with friends this past weekend, but the rain put a damper on that!

Please remember to keep food at appropriate temperatures when you're bringing it outdoors with you.  The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has some food safety tips to avoid food poisoning:

• If you plan on grilling, make sure you know what temperature some of your favorites like hamburgers (160°F; 71°C) and chicken (165°F; 74°C) should be cooked to for safe eating. If you are unsure, take a look at our safe minimum internal temperature chart. Always bring a food thermometer to check if food is done.
• Make sure to keep raw and ready-to-eat foods separate in your picnic basket. Consider packing beverages in one cooler and perishable food in another.
• If you are transporting perishable foods, pack an icepack to keep foods at their appropriate temperature of 40°F (4°C).
• Remember food is no longer good if it's been sitting out for more than two hours, or one hour in weather above 90°F (32°C).

Then you have to plan the menu - I of course will encourage you to pack vegetables and fruit!  However, since it's Q's Day, I'm asking:

What is your favourite picnic food?

I don't know if I have just one, but today I would say a few slices of juicy watermelon!  Feel free to comment, question, share, and help others with their picnics.

Happy picnic planning,

Steph Langdon, RD
something nutrishus counselling & coaching
www.nutrishus.com