How to Plan Food for Camping
- 1). Decide how long you'll be at the campsite, and whether you plan on trekking to a nearby grocery store during your trip. If you visit the grocery store periodically to buy fresh produce, milk or meat, you will be cutting into your recreational time. On the other hand, if you have to trek a few miles from the parking area to your campsite, carrying the additional cooking supplies needed to prepare all of the food you brought could be a hefty burden.
- 2). Write a grocery list. Decide on foods that can be used for a variety of daily meals; this will save money, time and space in your packed camping gear. Whole grain crackers and dehydrated jerky, for instance, are examples of what can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Add peanut butter to your crackers in the morning for a quick meal complete with healthy carbs and protein.
- 3). Buy or make hearty soups to take with you. Tomato soup complete with pureed or chunky vegetables makes for a healthy lunch or dinner.It can even be eaten (or drunk) cold with slices of avocado for some healthy fat calories. Or buy a can of chicken noodle soup for a quick fix to make over the fire.
- 4). Bring a lot of trail mix. According to Richard Thomas of Trails, the dehydrated fruit and nuts that come in trail mix are chock-full of the calories and vitamins you'll need while camping. Trail mix is light and easy to carry, and it's an easy snack to munch on while hiking.
- 5). Bring a small cooler for refrigerated foods that you and your family can't live without. Dairy products, meat and homemade soup need to be refrigerated. Keep in mind, though, that your cooler won't last more than a few days without additional ice.
- 6). Bring as many nonperishable items as possible. Powdered milk doesn't need to be refrigerated and it won't weigh you down as much. The same rule applies for beef and turkey jerky, as well as dried fruits.
- 7). Bring canned food, such as soups and beans, if you don't plan on walking many miles with your gear. They don't need to be refrigerated and are quick and easy to heat over a fire.
- 8). Pack dried rice or whole-grain pasta, both of which can be boiled and served with a can of heated sauce. Whole grain pasta will have more carbs, which you'll need to keep energized if you plan to do a lot of hiking or other physical exercise.
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