pool snacks and suppers

[Anonymous]

We recently joined a pool and will probably be hanging out there a lot this summer and eating supper there as well. They have an overpriced snack bar with traditional grill/french fry/hot dog meals that my kids will beg for but I don't want us to be eating that kind of food on a regular basis.

I need ideas for healthy snacks I can keep on hand and quick suppers I can put in a cooler and take to the pool.

[Anonymous]

sandwiches
cheese cubes/sticks
fresh fruit
raw veggies
raisins
muffins
trail mix (you can make your own)

cold pasta salads (you can add in assorted proteins)


http://www.fit-fresh.com/landing_kids.php
http://www.fit-fresh.com/products/transportation/
I'm such a fan of these containers. The removable ice packs keep things cold.

If you don't like the removable ice packs, these are pretty great too:
http://www.easylunchboxes.com/

[Anonymous]

We ate dinner at the pool tonight and I just took sandwiches, carrots, apples, yogurt, fruit leathers and drinks. We're big hummus eaters, too, so that will be another option for us. I pack everything in a collapsible cooler with ice packs and everything stays plenty cold.

Our pool has plenty of gas grills around and there were many families that brought meat to throw on the grill. Maybe that's an option for you?

[Anonymous]

I LOVE eating dinner at the pool in the summer! I have a wheeled cooler that I bring, and basically anything I'd normally pack in their lunchboxes for school, I pack for dinner. Everything stays cold with a few icepacks. I always bring a big container of fresh fruit to share, sandwiches for the kids, and usually a big salad for myself (I bring the whole bottle of dressing; stays cold w/ the icepacks). Depending how hungry they are, I bring cheese sticks, yogurts, a few bananas, pretzels and/or crackers. I don't usually bother with drinks for everyone b/c our snack bar will give us cups of ice, and there's a water fountain, so why spend money on juice boxes when I'd rather have them drink water anyway. I always have my own reusable water bottle with me anyway.

Once you get into a routine, it really is pretty quick to throw dinner in the cooler. I try to have us eat there as much as possible b/c then I don't have to clean my kitchen!

Also, in a pinch, our snack bar has a couple of healthier options - they have a nice fruit salad (tho it's cheaper to make it at home, but if I run low on fruit, it's good), as well as PB & J sandwiches and a pretty good grilled chicken salad. Your snack bar might have a couple of menu items that aren't too fatty & fried.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! I appreciate the ideas! Please keep them coming!

[Anonymous]

I pick up a baguette and deli ham & cheese at the grocery store, and take that along with butter, a knife, and a cutting board to the pool. We have sandwiches from that (making them at the pool keeps the baguette fresh/crusty), along with fruit and water.

I have a pool-kit which I keep in its own bag. It contains:

Cloth tablecloth (picnic tables get disgusting)
Napkins & utensils
Sharp knife, in its own plastic sheath (found a few at Marshall's for $5 and gave them as gifts to pool friends!)
Plastic cutting board
Plastic plates & cups

When we return from the pool, I wash all of the dirty things and put them back in the bag, ready to go the next time.

Other food ideas:

Spanish tortilla (potato/onion omelette)
Mixed green salad (pre-make at home)
Cut-up fruit
Hummous and baba ganoush with pita

[Anonymous]

Not the OP, but you guys are AMAZING. Thanks for all the great tips!!

[Anonymous]

idk

[Anonymous]

We filled up with canned corn before going to the country club.