All kinds of factors come into play to make a great beach day—sun, surf, a good book. Of course a cooler full of great snacks and drinks is absolutely clutch, too. But at the risk of being fun spoilers, we’re here to remind you that not all eats and drinks are well-suited for the sun.
A food safety golden rule to keep in mind for beach days: The “danger zone” for food is between 40 and 140 degrees Fahrenheit, which is when bacteria grow most rapidly. In fact, the Food Safety and Inspection Service says that bacteria grow most rapidly in this range, doubling in number in as little as 20 minutes. Some of those problem bacterias like Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli can make you super sick to your stomach.
If you want to play it safe, here’s 11 things you shouldn’t eat at the beach.
Sandwiches With Cold Cuts Require Refrigeration
Making a bunch of ham and cheese sandwiches for your beach crew or swinging by the local sammy shop to pick up a giant sub to share might be convenient. But, you’ve got to make sure any sandwiches made with cold cuts (a.k.a. lunch meats) are kept cold, says registered dietitian Allie Echeverria, R.D., a modern home economics expert and founder of Eaton Broshar. “Wrap your sandwich in plastic wrap and store in a cooler on ice until you’re ready to eat it,” she recommends.
Shrimp Cocktail Platters Aren’t Safe When The Shrimp Reaches Room Temperature
If you’re making a grocery store run ahead of your beach day, pick up your shrimp cocktail last and ask for a bag of ice from the grocer to ensure safe handling of the platter. This high protein snack should be placed on the platter over a tray or bowl of ice if you want to enjoy it at the beach, Echeverria says.
You Can’t Reheat Leftovers at the Beach
The scenario: You’ve got some roasted chicken from the night before that could be eaten for lunch. If you’re heading to the beach, leave it in the fridge. “Leftovers or meal prep might seem like a good option but only if you keep them hot or cold,” Echeverria says. “Previously hot leftovers need to be reheated to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to be considered safe to eat.”
Your Hamburger Meat Could Be Breeding Bacteria
"Wherever possible, avoid bringing uncooked meat to the beach,” says registered dietitian Elysia Cartlidge, R.D., who has a Masters in Applied Nutrition and is a recipe developer at Haute & Healthy Living. “Bacteria thrive in warm, moist, protein-rich environments, so raw meat is the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and can result in food-borne illness.
If you must bring raw meat to the beach for a burger cookout, be sure to store it properly in a cooler with plenty of ice to keep it nice and cold, Cartlidge says. Also, avoid letting the meat sit out longer for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if it's a very hot day (above 90 degrees F), she says. Cartilage also recommends packing a meat thermometer to make sure you’re cooking the meat to the proper internal temperature.
Raw Chicken Can Pose Major Problems, Too
Even if the beach has a grill, avoid bringing raw poultry to make barbecue chicken for your beach crew. Bacteria like Salmonella can quickly multiply at room temperature.
“Not only do you run the risk of the meat going bad in the sun, but not being able to wash hands properly before and after handling raw meat is also a concern,” says Board-certified Family Medical Physician Dr. Laura Purdy, MD, MBA.
On this topic, washing your hands at a sink may not be an option before eating at the beach, so make sure to pack hand sanitizer, she says.
Beer Can Dehydrate You
Although cracking open a cold beer on a hot day sounds refreshing, beach-goers often consume alcohol on an empty stomach. (Blame it on the “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” mindset.) But the thing is, without any food in your stomach, your body absorbs the booze more rapidly, Cartilage explains.
Plus, drinking alcohol actually reduces blood sugar levels because while the liver is processing it, it stops releasing glucose. This can lead to dehydration (which contributes to hangover symptoms), Cartlidge says.
Whisky Sodas, Margaritas, and a Sangria Can Really Dehydrate You
It may sound crazy, but a gin and tonic is probably a better beach cocktail than, say, a paloma or margarita. Also, a canned pinot grigio is more suitable than a red wine blend. The reason? Tequila, red wine, darker whiskeys, and bourbons have the highest levels of congeners, which are compounds that come about naturally during distilling and fermenting processes. Congeners are to blame for dehydrating you more quickly, according to a study published in Current Drug Abuse Reviews.
Fruit and Dairy Desserts Makes It Easy for Bacteria to Multiply
Sweet treats like key lime pies, strawberry shortcakes, mousse, and fruit tarts are synonymous with summer. But they probably shouldn’t be brought to the beach, cautions Emily Laurae Carter, a pastry chef and recipe developer, because dairy-based and fresh fruit desserts often have a higher moisture content.
“Moisture, combined with warm beach temperatures, creates a conducive environment for bacteria to thrive and spoil your delicious desert,” Laurae says.
Salad Can Get Soggy
Greens can definitely go bad in the heat, and if your salad is already dressed, it can wilt and get soggy before you have a chance to dig in, Purdy says. If you’re determined to enjoy a salad on the beach, wait to dress it until you get there. But, again, you don’t want your creamy dressings to be at room temperature for longer than two hours, so it’s a good idea to keep a ramekin on ice.
Pre-Cut Fruit Will Go Bad Faster
Hold off on cutting until you are at the beach to make it last longer, Purdy says. For a popular beach fruit like watermelon that’s difficult to cut at the beach, chop it up before you head out for a day of fun in the sun and keep your melon in an airtight container
Peanut Butter and Shellfish Might Cause an Emergency for Some
Going to the beach with a group? Purdy recommends against bringing foods that are common for allergies like shellfish and peanut butter. “Being at the beach can mean that you are farther away from medical facilities or may have poor cell service if you were to need to call for an emergency,” she says.
