Here are some low-fat, lower calorie ideas for end-of-the-summer picnic.

Water-Garden Salad –

Toss your favorite lettuce (red leaf, Boston, mesclun, radicchio) with fresh water-full cucumbers and watermelon. Then put a little balsamic vinegar over it, and seal in a container.

Instead of high-fat meat, make vegetable sandwiches: Use sliced cucumber, tomato, basil and some mustard on a whole-wheat roll. Or, carrot slices, green pepper and mushrooms on a baguette with Dijon mustard. Raw vegetables are good, or you can sauté them ahead of time.

Yes, there’s a little fat in it, but it’s the non-saturated kind, with lots of vitamins. It keeps well, too, without refrigeration.

For dessert? Fresh fruit! Bananas, nectarines, peaches, grapes – they are all portable.