Everybody loves nice pool get together meals. And it’s that point of yr once more. Pool get together snack concepts have taken over your social media feeds. It’s good inspiration to plan a festive, recent menu that matches your well being objectives.
Selecting dishes that preserve you refreshed and energized for one more swim—somewhat than making you prepared for a poolside nap—might be difficult. I all the time really feel my finest selecting hydrating and nutrient-rich meals that received’t weigh me down.
Listed here are 10 crowd-pleasing, lower-calorie pool get together meals (and drinks!) which can be good for decent days and poolside enjoyment.
Every gentle meal and snack on this record incorporates fewer than 250 energy per serving. That is usually sufficient to fulfill your starvation with out spoiling your urge for food for a extra substantial meal later (1).
Whether or not internet hosting the get together or bringing a dish to share, these refreshing and colourful meals will enable you to really feel your finest whereas having fun with summer season enjoyable!
10 Pool Social gathering Meals (and Drinks) Beneath 250 Energy
Searching for straightforward pool get together recipes, make-ahead appetizers, and Instagram-worthy snacks?
Prepare in your most scrumptious and energizing pool get together but!
Pool Social gathering Meals #1: Frozen Grapes
Candy, chilly, and hydrating, frozen grapes are one of many best prep-ahead, grab-n-go poolside snacks.
Right here’s all you want:
- Seedless grapes, frozen for a minimum of 2 hours
A one-cup serving of grapes is simply 62 energy, so even when you eat multiple serving, you’ll nonetheless have an urge for food for a hearty meal later (2).
This refreshing, low-calorie poolside deal with is loaded with antioxidants, particularly when you use Harmony and darkish purple varieties (3). It additionally has a variety of nutritional vitamins and minerals that assist combat irritation and help coronary heart well being (4, 5).
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Freeze a couple of varieties for a extra enjoyable, colourful combine. Serve in single-serve silicone cupcake liners for straightforward, no-mess snacking. Or, when you’re okay with everybody reaching into the identical bowls, place a couple of bowls on ice across the pool.
Pool Social gathering Meals #2: Chilled Edamame with Sea Salt
Chilled edamame is refreshing and holds up properly within the warmth, making it a shocking pool-side snack.
On the grocery retailer, merely seize some:
- Unshelled edamame pods
- Sea salt
One cup of cooked edamame within the pod has simply 188 energy. Plus, it packs a formidable 18 grams of protein and eight grams of fiber, making it filling and useful for weight administration objectives (6, 7, 8).
It additionally has a low glycemic index. This implies it received’t trigger a speedy spike (and drop) in blood sugar ranges (9). In different phrases, it should enable you to keep regular power as an alternative of feeling a sudden crash that might depart you snoozing within the solar.
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Toss steamed pods with flaky sea salt and lemon zest for additional taste. Preserve chilled in a cooler and serve in non-breakable containers with lids for straightforward portioning and sharing.
Pool Social gathering Meals #3: Chili Lime Roasted Chickpeas
I like this snack’s satisfying crunch, daring style, and plant-based protein content material. It’s more healthy than most chips coated with related flavors, however simply as scrumptious, making it a win-win.
Seize a bag of store-bought chili lime chickpeas or make a giant batch and watch it disappear!
If you’re cooking the chickpeas at house, you’ll want:
- Canned chickpeas
- Olive oil
- Lime juice
- Seasonings: chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, salt
Not solely are they tasty, however chickpeas are a nutrient-packed meals, offering a wonderful supply of plant-based protein and fiber (10).
A 1/4 cup serving has about 120 energy, 5 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber. This makes them good for digestive well being and helps you are feeling full (10, 11).
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Roasted chickpeas are finest saved at room temperature in a loosely lined container to maintain them crispy (12). This implies you don’t want to fret about holding them on ice by the pool. Pack in small, lidded containers so that they received’t get soggy by the water. However don’t prep them too far prematurely—for the perfect texture, take pleasure in them inside a day or two of roasting (12)!
Pool Social gathering Meals #4: Watermelon, Grapefruit, & Blackberry Salad
Fruit salads supply refreshing sweetness, vibrant colours, and hydrating elements for sunny poolside days!
This Watermelon, Grapefruit & Blackberry Salad completely balances summer season fruit flavors with a next-level honey-mint drizzle.
To do this recipe, you’ll want:
- Watermelon
- Grapefruit
- Blackberries
- Honey-mint drizzle
Not solely is it scrumptious, however it’s additionally filled with vitamins. A serving has about 225 energy, 6 grams of fiber, and is wealthy in vitamin C (13, 14).
Plus, it has water-rich fruits that assist combat dehydration within the sizzling summer season solar. Watermelon, for instance, is made up of about 92% water (15, 29)!
Actually, any gentle fruit salad is a wonderful alternative for a wholesome, refreshing snack by the pool.
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
To make this recipe even lighter, use small quantities of stevia or monk fruit extract as an alternative of honey as a sweetener. Prep the salad the night time earlier than. Serve with broad spoons in compostable bowls to keep away from poolside glassware.
Or, for a enjoyable and transportable twist, thread recent fruit onto bamboo skewers. It turns this straightforward fruit salad into an much more handy poolside snack everybody can seize and revel in!
Pool Social gathering Meals #5: Piña Colada Popsicles
These Piña Colada Popsicles are a scrumptious, creamy deal with good for sunny days, providing all of the tropical vibes with out the booze.
Simple to make forward, they’re a lighter tackle the traditional summer season drink and positive to be a success for adults (and kiddos, too)!
To make these treats, you’ll want a popsicle mildew, and:
- Canned coconut milk
- Pineapple chunks
- Vanilla extract
- 85% darkish chocolate
- Unsweetened coconut flakes
Every plant-based popsicle has actual fruit for pure sweetness in each chew. At simply 93 energy per pop, they’re a more healthy different to most store-bought choices, which are sometimes loaded with added sugars and synthetic elements.
Plus, coconut milk is of course wealthy in electrolytes like potassium and magnesium, making these popsicles an ideal choice for additional hydration throughout these sizzling summer season days (16).
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
These aren’t a last-minute deal with—you’ll must plan as they should be set in popsicle molds within the freezer for a minimum of 8 hours. You should definitely make additional, as they’re assured to expire rapidly! These popsicles are naturally gluten-free; when you go for dairy-free darkish chocolate, they’re vegan, too.
Pool Social gathering Meals #6: Smooth-Serve Frozen Fruit Bowls
I like mixing frozen bananas with different frozen fruits to take pleasure in tasty soft-serve fruit desserts which can be good by the pool all summer season lengthy!
You possibly can combine up any of your favourite fruit combos, however my go-to contains:
- Sliced frozen bananas
- Frozen mango chunks
- Frozen strawberries
Let the fruit defrost for about 10 minutes, then mix it in a frozen dessert maker, blender, or meals processor till it’s easy and creamy. Voila, you’ve bought a scrumptious “good cream” able to serve!
The calorie rely will rely upon the fruits you select and the way a lot fruit you utilize.
For instance, use one medium banana, 1/2 cup strawberries, and 1/2 cup mango per serving. This will get you a yummy bowl with simply 175 energy, filled with fiber and potassium for a wholesome dessert choice (17, 18, 19).
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Smooth-serve frozen fruit bowls are the right poolside deal with for a small gathering! They’re finest loved proper after mixing, so keep away from making giant batches. Let your visitors decide their favourite fruit flavors. Then, make particular person servings and serve them instantly.
Pool Social gathering Meals #7: Dijon Chickpea & Egg Salad
Uninterested in plain previous egg salad by the pool? Attempt shaking issues up with a savory and satisfying Dijon Chickpea and Egg Salad in lettuce wraps.
To make it, you’ll want:
- Chickpeas
- Laborious-boiled eggs
- Lettuce leaves
- Dijon mustard
- Mayo
This gentle vegetarian salad is a flavorful and protein-packed dish that hits the right steadiness—it’s filling sufficient to maintain you glad between meals, but gentle sufficient to take pleasure in by the pool earlier than diving again in.
With 248 energy, 12 grams of protein, and 5 grams of fiber, it offers lasting power and fullness (7).
The lettuce wraps additionally add a refreshing increase of water-rich veggies, holding your meal gentle and revitalizing (30).
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Serving this salad in bell pepper halves can create much more colourful, handheld appetizers. You possibly can additionally serve it as a dip with whole-grain or seed-based crackers. Both approach, preserve it chilled on ice to keep away from any spoilage within the sizzling summer season climate.
Pool Social gathering Meals #8: Grilled Shrimp Skewers
A cookout traditional good for pool events! These speedy-to-grill shrimp skewers are an ideal finger meals for sun-soaked gatherings.
To make them, you’ll want:
- Wild-caught uncooked shrimp
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Your favourite shrimp seasoning
- Skewers
Merely marinate for about 2 hours, skewer, then grill it. Cook dinner till it’s opaque and pinkish-orange, about 2 to three minutes per aspect.
These skewers are filled with diet. They provide round 200 energy and a whopping 23 grams of protein per 4-ounce serving of shrimp with olive oil marinade (20).
Shrimp is a lean, nutrient-dense, and low-calorie alternative, making it an ideal poolside protein for a snack or small meal. It’s additionally a great supply of nutritional vitamins and minerals, together with vitamin B12, selenium, phosphorus, zinc, and iodine (21).
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Serve heat straight off the grill or chilled with a lemon wedge. Pair your shrimp with barbecue-worthy fruits like grilled pineapple or mango for additional taste and attraction. You possibly can skewer them alongside your principal elements or serve them as a vibrant aspect.
Pool Social gathering Meals #9: Lighter Spinach Artichoke Dip with Entire-Grain Pita Chips
This Lighter Spinach Artichoke Dip & Entire-Grain Pita Chips is a traditional get together dip lightened up for pool season!
To make this more healthy dip recipe, you’ll want:
- Low-fat Neufchatel cheese
- Greek yogurt
- Spinach
- Artichokes
- Half-skim mozzarella
- Baked whole-grain pita chips
This creamy, tangy snack is lighter than conventional variations due to its additional veggies, protein-rich Greek yogurt, and reduced-fat Neufchatel cheese.
It’s a crowd-pleaser with simply 197 energy and a hearty 12 grams of protein (when you can stick to 1 serving)! Plus, it affords some antioxidant and anti inflammatory advantages, due to the spinach and artichokes (22, 23).
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Serve chips and dip in wide-mouthed cups for straightforward snacking by the pool—no plates required! Use store-bought whole-grain pita chips to save lots of time. Or, when you choose gluten-free choices, pair this dip with uncooked veggie sticks or gluten-free chips for a scrumptious different.
Pool Social gathering Meals #10: Pineapple Restoration Smoothies
Tropical inexperienced smoothies style like summer season to me!
This Pineapple Restoration Smoothie is a nutrient-packed, low-calorie poolside beverage.
To make this hydrating smoothie recipe, you’ll want:
- Apple
- Frozen pineapple
- Water or coconut water
- Child kale
- Lemon juice
- Recent ginger
- Chia seeds
Thirst-quenching and naturally candy, this inexperienced smoothie is nice for cooling off with buddies after some enjoyable within the solar.
Every serving is about 208 energy with a formidable 10 grams of fiber. It’s additionally brimming with antioxidants and different anti-inflammatory compounds that will help you really feel your finest (24, 25, 26).
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Use unsweetened coconut water as an alternative of plain water for pure electrolytes to help poolside hydration (16). Serve in reusable tumblers with stainless-steel straws as an alternative of glassware for security and comfort across the pool.
Bonus Pool Half Drink: Dried Hibiscus Mocktails
Vibrant and refreshing, the Dried Hibiscus Mocktail is a pool get together showstopper with its daring colour and lightweight taste.
To make it, you’ll want:
- Dried hibiscus leaves
- Orange peel
- Star anise
- Cinnamon
- Monk fruit powder
- Glowing water
Wholesome mocktails are gaining recognition, for good purpose. They supply a refreshing, alcohol-free choice to help your wellness objectives (27). Plus, wholesome variations of those drinks have much less sugar and energy in comparison with conventional cocktails.
At simply 10 energy per 8-ounce glass, this mocktail doesn’t present sufficient power to qualify as a snack or mini meal. However, it’s a hydrating, caffeine-free choice wealthy in antioxidants from hibiscus leaves, making it a wholesome addition to your gentle summer season poolside menu (28). (And it’s straightforward to batch-serve for visitors!)
Pool Social gathering Suggestions:
Serve chilled with ice in stemless (BPA-free plastic) wine glasses. Add garnishes like edible flowers and orange slices or peel twists to a pitcher for a surprising presentation!
Make This Summer time’s Pool Social gathering Meals Higher (And More healthy!)
Consuming properly at summer season gatherings doesn’t should imply lacking out on the enjoyable meals. As an alternative, convey wholesome and scrumptious summer season get together meals that everybody (even the much less health-conscious crowd) will take pleasure in.
These low-calorie get together meals mix nice style, nutritious elements, and the “deal with your self” vibes that pool events are all about.
Preserve this record helpful in your subsequent pool get together or yard gathering, and also you’ll have a menu that may impress your visitors with out weighing them down!
For additional inspiration, take a look at extra MyFitnessPal wholesome recipes for a flavorful and enjoyable summer season season.
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