Camping is one outdoor adventure; you can never get enough off.
Whether you are camping out in sunny weather or on a snow-clad mountain, food is one of the essential commodities you need to carry with you. Packing the right kind of food is vital.
You can go for ready-to-eat snacks or food items to cook with a cup of hot water. All your energy comes from food. So, it is vital to carry healthy, nutritious, and easy-to-digest food.
You don’t want to eat something heavy on your camping trip, which is why it is necessary to do thorough research before picking the suitable tins of food for a night in the woods. If you plan to go for more than one night, you need to pack accordingly.
The food you carry should be lightweight and shouldn’t spill into your bag. You don’t want to wear chili-soaked socks in the middle of a jungle. If you are going to a cold place to camp, make sure to carry food that keeps you warm. Food items like coffee, chili, and beef jerky are some things you can carry.
On the contrary, if you plan to set camp in a warm forest, go for food items to keep your body cool. Body temperature can be regulated by the food you eat. You also want to carry food that does not go bad quickly.
Food such as canned goods, nutrition bars, or a bag of mixed nuts is good examples of non-perishable goods. It is always better to carry high protein meals with many carbs and fibers. A perfect blend of nourishment and taste will energize you while satiating your hunger.
Taste is also an essential aspect of packing camping food. It is ideal for packing food you like, providing comfort and nourishment! Ensure to load up on plenty of carbs; you will need them for energy.
Carbohydrates provide you with tons of energy essential when you are out in the wild. All the climbing, setting up the tent, and even starting a fire will require a lot of energy. It is why carbs are your best friends on a camping trip.
Now that we have a clear picture of what you should carry on your camping trip, let’s dive further into the details of which ready-to-eat meals are perfect for a camping trip.
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Ready-To-Eat Foods To Bring Camping
Ready-to-eat foods are a lifesaver on any camping trip. Today we will take a look at the best ready-to-eat food options available for campers.
Nuts & Trail Mix
A Bag of Trail mix is a lifesaver on a camping trip. You can mix the right amount of crunch with the right amount of fruity stuff, and voila! You have the perfect back of trail mix.
Nuts and seeds such as walnuts, almonds, pistachio, and pepitas are super healthy. Add a couple of them to your trail bag, along with some wheat-based options such as animal crackers, thin mints, dry cereal, or granola. You can also add coconut chips and bagel thins to this mix.
Depending on your taste buds, you can pick the right combination and prepare your bag of delicious trail mix. Once your crunchy part is ready, add some fruity options to it.
Dried cranberries, dried apples, dried strawberries, or raisins blend perfectly well with your crunchy mix. Fruit provides you with natural sugars called fructose. Fructose energizes you while nourishing your body with suitable fiber and vitamins.
A delicious blend of sweet and savory will make for a great trail mix. You can munch on it on the go or when you stop for some rest. Either way, trail mixes make for the perfect camping snack. They are both yummy and healthy!
Protein Bars Or Energy Bars
A protein bar is another great camping food. Protein bars are packed with nutrition. They provide you with the right amount of fiber, carbs, and sugar. You can buy energy bars at the store. They are easy to pack and do not go bad.
You can finish one at once or take small bites as you go along. Either way, they are a great energy source, lightweight, and easy to carry. They require minimum effort to eat and are delicious.
Bags and finish the entire bag once it is open. No one likes soft popcorn; it becomes chewy and eventually loses its flavor. So, make sure you gobble it up in one go.
Instant Cup Noodles or Mac and Cheese
Cup noodles are the camp version of a quick, hot microwave meal. All you need is a hot cup of water to pour into these meals.
They are ready in a few minutes. Cup noodles are delicious. You can purchase them in a variety of flavors. Pick an easy-to-digest flavor; basically, don’t pick anything too spicy.
Of course, if you are going to camp in a cool place, then spicy food can warm you nicely. But if you are someone who cannot handle spicy food but still loves it, please avoid bringing it to your campsite.
Instant Mac and cheese is a simple option. It is easy to cook and easy to digest. The flavor is familiar and comforting. If you are having a rough night in the woods, mac and cheese can act as excellent comfort food.
Popcorn
Popcorn is the healthiest snack in the world. You pop a bag at home and carry it to your camping site.
Popcorn is convenient to pack and eat. It is delicious and can be bought in multiple flavors. Pick a flavor of your choice, whether salty, caramel or peppermint, and pack it for your fun camping trip.
The only problem with popcorn is that if you don’t finish the bag at once, it can become soft and lose its crunch. So make sure to pack it in small bags.
Instant Coffee/Tea Bags
Instant coffee and tea bags are a lifesaver in the wild. All you need is a pot of hot water and your instant tea or coffee bags. They are great at keeping you warm and provide instant relief from hours of trekking.
Once you set up your camp, a warm cup of tea or coffee will relieve you of your stress and help you settle into the camping vibe.
Bagels
A bagel is a high-carb food item. You can pre-pack them or make them on the spot. Add your favorite filling or turn it into a sandwich. Either way, bagels taste delicious and also keep your energy levels high.
Preparing Food Before Camping
Although there are multiple ready-to-eat options, you might have to prepare some meals beforehand.
The best breakfast options are banana bread, French toast loaves, or overnight oats. You can also pack a pre-made breakfast burrito, pancakes, blueberry muffins, or scrambled eggs.
Other pre-made breakfast options are breakfast quesadillas, outdoor apple pie, or a pre-made peach breakfast bake. All these options are easy to make and easy to pack. Pick the ones you like and create a combination of power-packed breakfast options.
For lunch, you can pack a bowl of cold pasta salad. It will remain fresh and is filled with nutritious food. Pasta is carb and will keep your energy levels high.
Make-ahead sandwiches and puff pastry pockets also make for delicious homemade lunch options. Pre-made ham and cheese sandwiches, Mexican coleslaw, peanut butter, and banana wraps are also healthy and delicious lunch options.
Homemade dinner options can include Chili, Shepherd’s pie, mashed potatoes, and homemade burgers. Pack them up tightly and make sure they do not spill out of the container. All these options are full of carbohydrates and will provide you with optimum energy.
Now that we are done with foods you can prepare before camping, let’s jump onto foods you can cook at the campsite.
Cooking At Campsite
Experienced campers will tell you that cooking at a campsite is not the same as cooking at home.
It is much harder to chop veggies or chicken with a blunt knife and an uneven chopping board. If you want to enjoy your camping trip and not spend your time figuring out how to cook the raw food you have packed, then this is for you.
A few of the best food items to cook on-site are eggs. It is better to boil them than to fry them. Boiling takes minimum effort and a cup of water. You can use boiled eggs in sandwiches or salads.
Make sure you prep everything in advance for your heavy meals. Chop the veggies, marinate the chicken and prepare everything at home before heading out on your trip.
Keep your meals simple and pack the bare minimum. Sandwiches, salads, dehydrated food, and cup noodles are the options to cook on site. Of course, you can rely on your expertise and instinct and pack food that you can prepare on site.
Conclusion
Now that you have a good idea about the food you should bring and shouldn’t bring to a camping trip, you are all set!
Choose non-perishable, easy-to-make food for your camping trip. Or better yet, prepare most of your food before you set out. This way, all you will have to do is heat it before you eat it!
Remember to pack highly nutritious food filled with carbs. You want to maintain your energy and enjoy nature with a full stomach!
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