How to Eat Well When Camping

Getting close to nature is a chance to refresh and recharge your batteries, spend quality time with family or friends and even get a little exercise. Camping within mountainous locations provides opportunities to climb and see glorious views from above. 

Food is a vital part of any trip, and being in an isolated area for several days makes it even more important to organize provisions. You never know what dangers could arise. However, food when camping does not have to be bland and boring. Here’s how to plan food fit for camping and your taste buds.

Make the Most of the Break

Camping can be extremely basic, with limited access to water or electricity; making it challenging to produce three healthy meals a day. Instead, you may be tempted to pack lots of junk and snack food. Of course, chips, instant noodles, sticks of dried fatty meat, cookies, candy and cake are all easy to carry, store and ‘prepare’, but this type of food is also generally full of sugar, salt, and additives.  Several days of this diet won’t provide the nutrients and fuel you need to enjoy your trip to its full extent. You will feel bloated and fatigued.

Recipe Action Planning Required

The easiest way to solve the conundrum of providing mostly nutritious food with limited cooking and storing options is to plan. Source suitable camping recipes and practice them at home. Build a repertoire of tasty dishes that’ll impress both you and your camping buddies. Of course, you can always treat yourself to a traditional S’more, but your body will thank you for keeping a decent balance between convenience, indulgence and nutrition.

Pack Items That Last

Canned beans, instant oats, harder fruits such as apples and pears provide a tasty snack without needing a lot of preparation or special storage. Granola or protein bars, washed carrots, and dried fruits, nuts and seeds are also handy for snacks while on route or out on a trail. Peanut butter is hardy stuff and teams up well with washed celery sticks or crackers for a savory feast, while packets of ready cooked rice are useful to add when bulking out meals.

Work Around What You Have

If you are driving an RV, then the luxury of a small fridge and stove will make planning meals a different ball game. Cheese, cold cuts and dairy are all possible ingredients. Campsites for tents sometimes offer a power point too, so you may have access to a small cooler which can be run from your car. 

However you plan to make meals, do check what kind of pots, pans and utensils you need to bring. Preparation is key, especially when your holiday does not provide the usual utilities hotels or hostel do.

Getting away from it all doesn’t have to mean abandoning your commitment to a balanced diet and good nutrition. With a little research, planning and preparation it’s easy to throw together tasty and energy boosting meals that are just as convenient to assemble and far better for you.