July is the peak of your summer fun! Kids haven’t even started thinking about going back to school, the sun stays out late and rises early, not to mention the nightly bonfires. Nope, nothing beats bike rides, swimming pools, sand volleyball, boating, and a game of Frisbee under that bright July sun with friends and family. And after all of that outdoor activity, what’s better then a picnic outdoors or hamburgers on the grill?

Picnics are great ways to socialize with friends and are so easy on a gluten-free diet. You don’t have to wonder if you’ll find something on the restaurant menu, make sure you’ve got backup snacks at a big dinner, or feel anxious wondering about potential cross-contamination at a friend’s house. Picnics are a great alternative to any social setting. If everyone decides to bring their own lunch, perfect for you! No worries about cross-contamination or wondering what might be in that salad. Nope, you can just make your own lunch at home and join your friends and family for a fun-filled afternoon. Picnic for a group? No concerns there either. Picnics are great for naturally gluten-free foods, like fresh berries and other fruits, vegetables, and meat on the grill (just be sure to bring your own gluten-free bread or rolls for that delicious hamburger). So many fruits and vegetables are in season during the summer, its ideal for your gluten-free diet. You could even help plan and cook the picnic. If the group’s really big, try pot-luck style. That way, you can insure one side dish is right for you. Send your kids to a friend’s house with their lunch in a lunch box or basket and a blanket to sit on. They’ll enjoy eating outdoors at a picnic more than they would around a dining table anyways, plus it gets them out of your way for a couple hours! Picnics are also a perfect way to impress that special someone. You can put some great foods together and your date won’t even know they are gluten-free!

To help you get started on this picnic season, we’ve put together three great ideas with recipes for any setting! So whether your having a family picnic in the park, a date picnic on the beach, or a kids picnic under the tree in your backyard, you can be sure to have a great time and stay safe eating gluten-free.