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Summer is here and hopefully, you’ll get to spend lots of time at the beach. A long hot day swimming and playing will surely work up your appetites. Rather than try to find something relatively healthy or vegan-friendly to eat at the concession stands, it’s easier to just pack some food and take it along. Of course, you’ll want food that’s light, refreshing, and easy to eat.
Think about food that doesn’t require utensils like sandwiches and wraps. See these Quick Ideas for Sandwich and Wrap Fillings. Fresh fruit and fruit salads will keep you satisfied and hydrated. For new ideas, read Juicy Ways to Spruce Up Fruit Salad. Bring along some cut-up veggies and a yummy dip in an airtight container. Check out 10 Ways to Make Amazing Dips and Spreads.
Salads are always summer favorites; try a variety of greens, veggies, or pasta salads. They’re even easier to take along in jars. Learn How to Make Mason Jar Salads for Portable Meals. Food on skewers is always fun to eat. Get 5 Tips for Amazing Summer Skewered Food.
Choose dishes that taste great cold or at room temperature including chilled soups. Take a look at these 15 Fresh and Cool Raw Soups for the Summer. Don’t forget dessert and munchies. Bring along a healthy trail mix, energy bites to keep you fueled all day long, and some delicious cookies to satisfy your sweet tooth. For even more ideas, here are 15 vegan-friendly recipes to bring with you on your next beach outing.
1. Kale Avocado Wraps With Spicy Miso-Dipped Tempeh
This Kale Avocado Wrap is not only delicious, it’s healthy too. You’ll get your protein from the tempeh that’s dipped in a miso dressing and spicy chipotle powder, calcium from the kale, and healthy fats from the avocado. It’s all tucked in a sprouted grain tortilla for an easy-to-handle lunch.
2. UnTuna Wraps
Most people would worry about bringing tuna sandwiches out in the blazing sun but that’s not a problem with these UnTuna Wraps. Made with walnuts and Kalamata olives with relish and seaweed, these are a healthier and kinder way to enjoy the taste of tuna and leave the fish in the ocean.
3. Simple Basil Citrus Salad With Balsamic Jam Dressing
Summer is when citrus fruits are at their peak so take advantage and make this Simple Basil Citrus Salad. Oranges, blood oranges and grapefruit are tossed with basil, cherry jam, and balsamic vinegar for a whole new way to eat fruit salad.
4. Exquisite Leek and Cashew Appetizer
Hummus is good but this Exquisite Leek and Cashew Appetizer is special. Salty cashews are mixed with sweet leeks for a spread that can be served warm or cold. Bring along a lot of cut-up veggies for a healthy and delicious snack.
5. Paprika Cheese Without Nuts or Soy!
A picnic is not complete without a block of delicious cheese. This Paprika Cheese is nut- and soy-free and vegan. It slices and grates and tastes incredible. Bring along a bunch of crackers or just munch away on this beautiful vegan cheese.
6. Summery Tofu Salad With Green Beans, Fresh Herbs, and Sesame Dressing
Take along a cool salad but make sure it has protein to keep you going all day. This Summery Tofu Salad can be made with whatever veggies you have on hand. The Vietnamese-style sesame dressing makes it a tasty and exotic meal.
7. Gluten-Free Asian Noodle Salad
Cold noodle salads are light, refreshing and perfect for the beach. This Asian Noodle Salad has gluten-free rice stick noodles as well as carrots, zucchini and cabbage for lots of taste and texture. It’s tossed with a spicy Asian dressing that will make this your new favorite salad.
8. Simple Summer Macaroni Salad
Macaroni salad is a summer staple but no one wants to bring mayo-based dishes out in the sun. This Simple Summer Macaroni Salad solves that problem since it’s egg-free. It’s creamy, delicious and perfect for a summer beach picnic.
9. Seitan Kebabs With Sangria Tomato Salad
Kebabs are always fun to eat and no utensils are necessary. These Seitan Kebabs have mushrooms, onions and peppers flavored with a delicious marinade. The salad has white wine and cherry tomatoes for a savory Sangria-like flavor.
10. The Ultimate Summer Gazpacho
Bringing soup to the beach might sound crazy but not when it’s a chilled soup. This Ultimate Summer Gazpacho is raw, light, fresh and tangy. Suddenly, soup at the beach sounds like a wonderful idea.
11. Superfood Packed Trail Mix
The last thing you want on a hot day is a ton of sugar so skip the candy and have healthy snacks instead. This Superfood-Packed Trail Mix has crunchy almonds and walnuts, chewy goji berries, mulberries and golden berries. There’s just enough raw cacao to make it feel indulgent while it boosts your energy with nutrients.
12. Healthy Vegan Cheez-It Crackers
Bring along a snack that the kids will love and you can feel good about. These Healthy Vegan Cheez-It Crackers taste better than anything you can buy in a box and without all the scary ingredients.
13. Almond Joy Oat Bran Granola Bars
If granola bars just don’t sound exciting, try these Almond Joy Oat Bran Granola Bars. They’re like a cross between healthy granola bars and Almond Joy candy bars for a snack that will excite everyone.
14. Raw Tag-Along Cookies
You’ll think these Raw Tag-Along Cookies got their name because you’ll want them tagging along everywhere you go. The crunchy cookies are topped with gooey peanut butter and then topped with rich dark chocolate for a decadent treat that’s also filled with healthy ingredients.
15. Salted Dark Chocolate Ice Cream Sandwiches
If you’re bringing a cooler that can keep ice cream cold, make room in it for these Ice Cream Sandwiches. Salted dark chocolate ice cream is pressed between two homemade big cookies. You can’t get more delicious or more refreshing than these amazing treats.
A day at the beach should include playing, swimming, and relaxing. Pack your sunblock and an incredible picnic for the most fun and delicious summer days.
Learn How to Cook Plant-Based Meals at Home
Reducing your meat intake and incorporating more plant-based foods into your diet is known to Support various health benefits, including reducing chronic inflammation, improving heart health, enhancing mental well-being, achieving fitness goals, meeting nutritional needs, managing allergies, and promoting gut health, among others. Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer, and has many side effects.
For those of you interested in eating more plant-based, we highly recommend grabbing our favorite plant-based cookbooks and downloading the Food Monster App — with over 20,000 delicious recipes, it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals, and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.
Here are some great resources to get you started:
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