Summer is almost here and today is National Picnic Day, so let’s celebrate by gathering our closest friends and family for a fun-filled day at a local park, pool, or patio. Here are some precautions everyone should keep in mind when planning a picnic. First of all, remember to keep hands clean. Everyone says it, but washing your hand means washing with hot water and soap and at least for 15 seconds. This cuts down on bacteria being transferred from one food item to another. When dealing with different types food, remember to keep the raw and pre-made foods separate from each other - this includes separate cutting boards and knives. These precautions will cut down on the cross contamination that may occur.
Another health concern while on a picnic is the temperature of the food: keep cold food cold and hot food hot. When picnicking with hot food, remember to stir it often to prevent burning or clumping and to keep it at a temperature of 135 degrees Fahrenheit for maximum protection. Cold foods need to be stored in a cooler and shouldn’t get above 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Lastly, remember to cook food thoroughly (well done meat) and that foods like Mayonnaise, salad dressing, and desserts can only be out for two hours before the bacteria multiply to dangerous levels.
Having a picnic may not be a “picnic” because of the time to prep your food and food safety maintenance, but it also has a few benefits. The average American has little time to enjoy the greenery of nature. On a picnic you have nothing but time to yourself to enjoy said greenery, which leads to lower stress levels. Lowered stress leads to a lower blood pressure, pulse rate, and cortisol levels. Another benefit is all the vitamin D one would get by sitting out in the sunshine. 93% of all Americans have a vitamin D deficiency and that means weaker bones and teeth. So get out in the sunshine and get stronger bones and teeth on your picnic.
Having a picnic and being with others also brings out the inner child and makes us more active. Working out doesn’t only happen in a gym, running and/or playing outside burns calories in an enjoyable way. Tossing a frisbee can burn more calories than you may think and doing it with a friend makes the time fly by. The last benefit of having a picnic is all the fresh air. Fresh oxygen from the air helps with many bodily functions including cleansing your blood and leaving your skin acne free and glowing.
So enjoy your picnic and remember that “A picnic is more than eating a meal, it is a pleasurable state of mind,” said DeeDee Stovel, author of Picnic: 125 Recipes with 29 Seasonal Menus.
