Summer is just around the corner, which means it’s about time to start planning for those fun, refreshing summer picnics that summer is all about! Inviting your family and friends makes any summer picnic better, but it also means that you have to accommodate everyone’s tastes. Here are some foods for summer picnics that your fellow picnickers from ages 1 to 100 can all enjoy!
Watermelon
Watermelon is the definitive summer fruit, earning itself the title of “summer’s blessing”. This classic summer fruit boasts a wide variety of benefits that you’ll need to survive the scorching summer heat. Watermelons, true to their name, have a high percentage of 92% water content. Hence, they’re a great source of hydration for when your group is picnicking under the sun. Furthermore, watermelon is especially beneficial for the elderly because it fortifies certain pain points that are frequently worsened by aging’s effects such as bone and heart health. Additionally, watermelon lowers blood pressure in older women in their postmenopausal stages.
Grilled Chicken
A great health-conscious alternative to the burgers and hotdogs you’ll be having all summer is grilled chicken. Having grilled chicken for a change is a welcome surprise from the typical summer picnic fare, and comes with added health benefits. Chicken is a great source of protein, which is a nutrient older adults commonly experience deficiencies in. Chicken, as a lean protein, ensures that your elderly family members and friends can leave the picnic with stronger muscles and a healthier immune system.
Deviled Eggs
If any of your picnic guests are on a vegetarian diet, deviled eggs are a smart and creative dish to incorporate into the picnic basket. Deviled eggs are a great alternative to meat as a protein source, while also being rich in vitamin D. Vitamin D is a vitamin that goes a long way in ensuring bone health preservation and risk of fall injury in the elderly.
Green Salad
Salad is a refreshing, guilt-free option that’s become another summer picnic staple. For your picnic, consider creating a healthy, fuss-free salad filled with green, leafy goodness. Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, and lettuce are a fantastic choice to incorporate into your salads. Such vegetables are a fantastic choice for the older crowd at your picnic as they are linked to the slowing of age-associated cognitive decline in the elderly. Hence, they ensure that your loved ones’ memory and other cognitive functions remain at peak condition.
Assorted Berries
A beautiful bowl of assorted berries on your picnic blanket is not just for show, it’s a tasty and healthy bowl of delight! Berries such as the following are packed full of helpful antioxidants that fight off types of dementia such as the highly common Alzheimer’s disease:
- Blackberries
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Cranberries
- Raspberries
- Strawberries
Berries are also a sweet, low-calorie treat for any of your diet-conscious picnic guests looking to enjoy a guilt-free treat and shed off a few more pounds for a beach-fit body!