Summer is the perfect time of year for outdoor adventuring – your skin has been craving the sun’s rays for months, and your travel buddies have finally emerged from hibernation! You’re probably itching to get out and start exploring the great outdoors with your family and friends. Before you pack your bags, make sure you check out our guide for how to eat fresh all summer long!

Whether you’re preparing a picnic, going out for a hike, or hitting up the beach, make this summer one for the books by fueling your adventures with the freshest snacks possible.

Fresh Snacks To Take On Every Summer Adventure

Planning a picnic in the park? Setting out on a day-long hike? Catching some rays at the beach? No matter what your plans are, we’ve got you and your crew covered! Just stick to our summer guide for eating fresh and you’ll be ready for anything.

Eating Fresh On Your:

Picnic Lunch

Must-Have Snacks

When packing for your picnic, here are some essential fruits and veggies to include on your list:

• Bell Peppers. Cut up some Sweet Bell Peppers into dippable slices and bring along your favorite hummus or spinach dip to pair. These will be a simple, colorful addition to your picnic spread!
• Snacking Tomatoes. These are great to munch on throughout the day, or add to a refreshing salad. You choose!
• Watermelon. This sweet treat is not only delicious – it is also a great way to keep yourself hydrated while spending time outside! Eat your watermelon in pre-cut slices or in a refreshing salad.
• Cucumbers. Speaking of staying hydrated – Cucumbers are packed full of both nutrients and water, so don’t forget to add some sliced Cucumbers to your basket! They could also be dipped in any spreads you bring along.
• Apples. You can’t beat that first bite of a juicy, crisp apple. Bring these along whole, or slice them up and dip them in peanut butter for some added protein!

Packing Your Picnic Basket

Packing a proper picnic basket is a fine art. Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind:

• If you’re packing anything in reusable containers, make sure they seal well and that you put them at the bottom of your basket. Nobody likes a bruised apple!
• Use ice packs to keep everything cold until you sit down to eat. Line the sides of your basket with the ice packs for maximum coldness!
• Bring one empty container along for compostable waste. Remember to take care of your picnic space!

Don’t Forget These Items

A successful picnic isn’t complete without these items:

• Reusable water bottles – Bring enough reusable water bottles for everyone, and make sure they are filled up before you leave home!
• Picnic blanket – This will make your eating experience that much more comfortable.
• Paper towels – A roll of paper towels may be just the thing you need when an unexpected spill happens!
• Cutlery – Bring your own forks, knives, and spoons, and don’t forget serving spoons for any salads.
• Trash bag – This will make for easy cleanup at the end of your picnic. Gather all your non-compostable or non-recyclable waste in this bag and throw it out in the nearest trash bin.

Looking for Inspiration?

Try one of these NatureFresh™ Picnic-Inspired Recipes:

Tomato & Watermelon Salad
Cucumber & Chicken Salad Sandwich

Eating Fresh On Your:

Hiking Trip

Must-Have Snacks

If you’re out hiking for the day, you’ll be doing a lot of eating on-the-go! Make sure you pack these fresh on-the-go snacks to fuel your adventures:

• Snacking Tomatoes. TOMZ® Snacking Tomatoes are juicy and poppable, making them the perfect food to munch on during any excursion.
• Trail mix. A protein-packed snack to bring along is trail mix – bring a container full of your favorite nuts, seeds, whole grain cereal, and dried fruit to keep you properly fueled for hours.
• Mini Cucumbers. These bite-sized Cucumbers are perfect for eating on-the-go. Added bonus – Mini Cucumbers will keep you hydrated while you hike, climb, and explore in the great outdoors!
• Oranges. Eating an orange is a great way to get some vitamin C into your system during a busy day of exploring! Orange peels are also compostable, making it a perfect trailside snack to eat while walking.
• Mini Sweet Peppers. If you don’t think that you’ll get enough vitamin C from that orange, bring along some Mini Sweet Peppers! They are an easy on-the-go snack that is also packed full of healthy vitamins!

Preparing Your Pack

For a successful hiking expedition, you need to pack your essentials in a backpack built for the outdoor elements. When filling your bag with healthy snacks, keep these tips in mind:

• Try to choose light snacks and containers – since your pack will be on your back all day, you don’t want to be hauling around a lot of weight.
• Opt for sleek, stackable containers – you will want to organize everything in your pack to avoid making it bulky or awkward to carry.
• Pack your heaviest items on the bottom of your bag, and leave the lighter or loose items on the top for easy access.

Don’t Forget These Items

A successful trek on the trails isn’t complete without these items:

• Sunglasses. You’ll want your shades if your hiking takes you in and out of covered areas. And who knows – if you find a breathtaking view at the edge of a cliff, you’ll want to sit down, eat some treats, and take in the beauty all around you (without having to worry about the sun’s powerful rays).
• Reusable water bottle. Bring a reusable water bottle to keep you hydrated during your journey.
• Sunscreen. This is an essential part of your hiking kit – you never know how long you may find yourself out in the sun!
• A map. A smartphone is a great GPS – until you lose service, of course. A map is the best battery-free GPS you could possibly pack.
• First-aid kit. It’s always good to be prepared! And if you’re going to be out on the trails all day, even something as simple as a blister can really put a damper on your adventure.

Looking for Inspiration?

Try one of these NatureFresh™ Hiking-Inspired Recipes:

Easy Lunch Stackers
Chewy Bell Pepper Oatmeal Cookies

Eating Fresh On Your:

Beach Day

Must-Have Snacks

A day at the beach calls for sandals, shades, and healthy snacks! Soak up the sun while enjoying these fruits and veggies:

• Snacking Tomatoes. Munch on some TOMZ® Snacking Tomatoes while lying in the sun and catching some rays. They’re also great additions to kabobs!
• Grapes. Trying to keep cool while you’re laying by the water? We suggest packing some frozen grapes in your beach bag – they have a satisfying crunch and will keep you feeling cool and refreshed all day long.
• Carrot and celery sticks. Pairing a light dip with carrot and celery sticks is always a simple crowd-pleaser.
• Mini Cucumbers. Spending your day at the beach means you will need to stay hydrated – Cucumbers are always a good option to get more water into your system! Bring Mini Cucumbers to eat whole, or even bring a pre-made smoothie – whatever makes sense for your beach plans.
• Pineapple. Slice up some pineapple and enjoy it as a healthy dessert after lunch! It’ll feel like your beach day is somewhere easy, breezy, and tropical.

Packing Your Beach Bag

A beach trip can be long – you need to build your bag so you’re ready for anything the day throws at you. Keep these tips in mind while packing your bag:

• Line your beach bag or cooler with ice packs to keep everything cold enough – you’ll want cool snacks to keep you feeling refreshed in the sun!
• If you are bringing anything in reusable containers, make sure they have a good lid to protect your food from flying sand.
• Using a hard-shell cooler is a great option for packing up your beach fare – it will be in less danger of getting squashed by passers-by.

Don’t Forget These Items

A fun-filled day at the beach wouldn’t be possible without these essentials:

• Sunglasses. Shades are a must – they will make your all-around beach experience that much more enjoyable!
• Sunscreen. If you’re going to be laying in the sun all day, make sure you apply sunscreen before you start your beach activities (and then reapply two or three times throughout the day).
• Beach blanket. Having your own towel is important, but bringing a big beach blanket for everyone to share is always a good idea. This will also make eating more comfortable!
• Paper towels. When sand gets everywhere, you need paper towels to keep yourself sane. These also won’t blow away as easily as single napkins!
• Reusable water bottle. Bring a pre-filled water bottle so you can stay properly hydrated throughout the day.

Looking for Inspiration?

Try one of these NatureFresh™ Beach-Inspired Recipes:

Hydrating Cucumber Mango Smoothie
Bell Pepper & Pineapple Kabob

Eat Fresh All Summer

No matter where your adventures take you this summer, as long as your bags are packed with the essentials, you’re set for a summer of fun!

Let us know how you fuel your fun in the sun with healthy snacks – we’d love to hear some of your own tips and tricks! Let us know on Facebook or tag @nature_fresh on Instagram.