Warmer weather brings more opportunities to enjoy your meals outside, and one of the best ways to do so is by packing a picnic.

Check out this guide to make sure your alfresco meal is wellbalanced and won’t leave you hungry for more.

• No picnic is complete without sandwiches, but peanut butter and jelly may not be the healthiest choice. Focus on building hearty, nutrient-dense sandwiches with a variety of ingredients like cheese and veggies with eggs, meat, or tofu. Delicious combinations could include mayo-free egg salad with tomatoes and onions on whole-wheat toast; roasted chicken with peppers, lettuce, and provolone on a baguette; or sliced smoked tofu with cucumbers, onions, and tomato on seeded bread.
• Every picnic needs some good snacks and sides. Leave the bag of chips at home, though, and opt for more filling options like uncured pepperoni slices, individually wrapped wedges of low-fat cheese, and whole-wheat crackers.
• There’s no need to skimp on dessert! Make a high-protein chocolate mousse by mixing your favorite chocolate protein powder with some Greek yogurt, then top it with fruits and nuts of choice. Another option is to melt some chocolate (bonus points if it’s dark), pour it onto a sheet pan, and sprinkle it with almonds or pumpkin seeds. Freeze the chocolate for an hour until it hardens, break it into pieces, and—voilà—you have healthier chocolate bark.

Keep this list in mind when packing your next picnic to ensure it fuels all the fun activities you have planned for the rest of the day!