Food Safety Tips for Outdoor Picnics in this Season in Phoenix, AZ

01 Aug 2018

You must be aware that July is National Picnic Month. Most families just jump at an opportunity to host a picnic on a sunny summer day but they need to be aware of a few picnic safety issues especially if the picnic will involve an older loved one who is on a restricted diet. During such a scenario, planning a menu that includes heart-smart choices is important. Preventing food poisoning is another picnic safety concern. Food poisoning can be attributed to consumption of spoilt foods. Foods can spoil quickly without proper precautions on hot summer days.

Prior to moving ahead with our discussion on food safety tips, let us discuss a bit about assisted living. Assisted living care is important for seniors who show mobility issues or memory problems. Round the clock support and assistance is required for them for living a normal life. Being a resident of the Phoenix region in Arizona, you can book a suite at the award-winning Anthem Senior Living. You can expect for your loved one to receive the best form of senior living in Anthem care and support.

For a healthy and safe summer picnic, follow these tips:

Go for Hydrating Foods– Your picnic menu should include foods that hydrate like melons, cucumber, tomatoes, leafy greens, grapes and berries. All of them have high water content and can curb the appetite for less-healthy sweet treats.

Avoid Fried, Go for Baked– Avoid picking up a bucket of fried chicken at a local fast-food restaurant, instead bake your own healthier version at home which will help you to avoid the heavy and unhealthy breading found on fried chicken.

Cut on Salt and Sugar– Limit the number of sugary and salty foods that you serve as they are typically higher in calories and sodium and consumption of salty foods on hot days can significantly increase the risk for dehydration.

Be Careful with Bugs– At summer picnics, mosquitoes, ticks, and other bugs can be more than just a nuisance. Some bugs are connected to illnesses like Lyme disease, West Nile virus, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. There should be strong bug sprays which will help protect you as well as your guests.

Right Temperature Storage– Keeping the food outdoors on a hot, sunny day can destroy them completely. As per the Consumer Safety Organization, picnickers should keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold to prevent food poisoning which can be done by maintaining hot foods at 140 degrees or more, and cold foods should be kept at 40 degrees or lower. Special attention should be given to foods that contain mayonnaise or meat products. When outdoors, bacteria can accumulate in as little as one hour.

Hope, our tips come for your help in organizing a safe picnic for your senior family members as well as your guests.

For assisted living care and support in the Phoenix region in Arizona, you can book a suite at the acclaimed Anthem Senior Living which consists of some of the most compassionate caregivers. Professionals prepare the meals for the residents which are customized as per their health needs.

 

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