A trip to the beach for an oceanside picnic always sounds like a good idea until you bite into a slice of sand-covered watermelon and contemplate your entire existence.
There is nothing more frustrating than preparing an entire al fresco feast, only to have it ruined by the elements of nature. (Curse you, Mother Nature and all your inconvenient beauty!)
Eating at the beach doesn’t mean you have to eat the beach itself. There are a handful of strategies and effective products to prevent your food and drinks from succumbing to the unyielding terror that is sand.
We’ve rounded up five of the most effective ways to keep sand out of your food whilst eating at the beach.
1. Pack extra water and wipes to wash your hands
It may seem obvious, but the easiest way to remove pesky sand is to wash and/or wipe it away. Invest in an ever-so-trendy Stanley cup (or one of these CNET-approved reusable water bottles) to not only keep you hydrated throughout the day, but also pour out onto your hands so that the inevitable transfer of sand to food is stopped in its tracks.
You can also opt for wipes and even mitts that are specifically designed and engineered to keep particles at bay. One of our favorite summer products is Sandscreen, a proprietary, talc-free powder that you simply pat on your hands, feet, legs and more to wipe away sand and leave behind a smooth, clean surface.
If you opt for wet wipes, make sure to take them with you when you leave and choose a biodegradable variety such as these compostable wipes from The Honest Company.
2. Wrap handheld foods
Wrap sandwiches and other eats with wax paper to use as a force field between the sand and your food.
Whether it’s a burrito, wrap or sandwich (hold the sand, please), the culprit behind sandy food is typically sandy fingers. In addition to the aforementioned advice of having water and wipes on standby, you can remedy the situation by wrapping handheld eats in wax paper, aluminum foil or anything that can be folded back as you nosh. This will guarantee that the only thing your digits will touch is disposable material and not the food itself.
3. Ditch hand contact altogether
If you’re grilling on the beach, kebabs provide a neat and tidy vessel to cook and eat your meat, fruit and veggies.
There are plenty of delicious bites such as kebabs, cocktail wieners and corn dogs that provide eating vessels such as wooden sticks and toothpicks that limit the interaction your hands have with food. Think outside of the box and consider alternatives to finger-picking fare. Instead of dips and bites you’d instinctively reach for, reimagine and deconstruct the classics.
A fruit salad can become a fruit kebab and a salsa can easily become a tomato stack, for example. You can also get creative with how traditional crowd pleasers are served. Guacamole won’t attract a layer of sand if it’s poured into individual shot glasses and pre-topped with carrot already distributed to prevent hands in bowls or platters, as well as communal dipping.
4. Cover bowls with food protectors while not eating
These hairnet-like wraps will come in handy on a breezy beach day.
Mesh domes make wonderful additions to any summertime soiree. Not only do they protect your uneaten meals, but they’re also more eye-catching than standard Tupperware. This screened option from West Elm, for example, can serve as a wonderful centerpiece for a salad or loaf of bread, while this uber-popular, yet no-frills set from Amazon can accommodate plates and serving dishes of varying sizes.
In addition to tents, elastic food storage covers are inexpensive outdoor eating essentials. Simply stretch them around any bowl that’s not in use and allow the lining to snap into place, creating an airtight seal that prohibits bugs, dust, pollen and sand from getting anywhere near your grub. If you’re in a pinch and/or on a budget, disposable shower caps work just as effectively.
5. Invest in folding tables
Keep the food up off the sand and it’s far less likely to become comprimised.
It’s not rocket science: A dish that is farther removed from the surface of sand has a less chance of getting sand in it. Luckily, there are plenty of lightweight, easy-to-carry folding tables that get the job done. This Bliss Hammocks table sold on QVC boasts cup holders for easy sipping, while Pottery Barn offers a more lux alternative with a handcrafted teak beauty that sports an umbrella hole for extra overhead protection.
For more summer home tips, see how to keep your kitchen cool when cooking and memorize these grilling tips to take your barbecue to soaring heights.
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