Camping Food That Works for You
by: Nick Smith
Even though winter - with all its snow, wind, and cold - is
definitely upon us, it’s never too early to start thinking about
camping this spring or summer. And for those outdoor enthusiasts
who won’t wait for the snow to melt before setting out this
winter, there is no better time than now to review a few useful
tips to remember when planning your camp menu.
Consider the duration of your trip. Plan on eating about as much
while you’re camping as you eat when you’re at home. If you’re
car camping and you have the extra space, it might not hurt to
take a little extra food; but if you’re packing it in, every
ounce counts, especially on long hikes. Be sure not to under pack
your camping food – the only thing longer than a 20-miler is a
20-miler when you’re hungry. Starving your body while doing
rigorous exercise, like hiking, could have adverse affects on
your health.
Plan a camping food menu that you’re willing to eat. Camping food
for many people has come to mean granola, oatmeal, and granola. I
like them as much as the next guy, but I’m not willing to ruin my
week in the woods by packing food I don’t like. There are many
companies now offering a huge selection of dishes, most of them
very tasty, which just require water – everything from roast beef
and potatoes to tuna casserole. Don’t discount instant oatmeal
and granola as tasty options. Just remember, just because you’re
leaving civilization behind doesn’t mean you shouldn’t eat what
you like.
Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition. You’re number one priority when
you’re camping should be to have a good time and enjoy nature –
something that is difficult to do when you’re sick and exhausted.
Be sure to take camping food with you that will keep you well fed
and your energy level up. Energy bars and gels don’t usually
weigh a lot and pack a serious nutrition punch, making them great
for the trail. If you don’t cook a lot at home and don’t plan to
while you’re camping, do yourself a favor and eat more than candy
bars and licorice. Just about anyone can boil water, so just
about anyone can take some prepared camping foods on their trip
and eat well.
Switch things up. If you’ve had the same thing for lunch for the
last 20 years, ignore this paragraph. For the rest us, variety is
important when planning for camping food. Put small amounts of
different seasonings in plastic baggies – lemon pepper trout is
delicious. Even if you’re going to eat oatmeal three meals a day
for a week, at the very least take different flavors of oatmeal.
The price is right. It is possible to eat well when you’re
camping on a tight budget. Instant oatmeal, granola bars, and
pancake mix don’t usually cost very much and fill you up.
Hamburger helper makes for a pretty nutritious, economic camping
meal – you’ll need to make sure you have all the ingredients.
Substitute powder milk for regular milk, and be sure to add
enough water to make the milk and the recipe.
Go high tech. Prices on freeze dried and packaged camping food
are becoming very reasonable. For less than what you would pay
for it in a restaurant, you can have you’re favorite dishes – and
I doubt the restaurant can compete with the view you’ll have when
you’re camping or hiking. It may be a little more expensive than
doing it on your own, but what prepackaged camping foods save you
in time, energy, and taste more than makes up for the money.
Get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you’re camping,
hiking, fishing, or just hanging out in the woods for the day,
with a little planning and by following these tips, I’m confident
you and you’re palate will have the experience of a lifetime.
Nick Smith is an outdoor enthusiast and client account specialist
with 10xMarketing.com - More Visitors. More Buyers. More Revenue.
For great camping food at affordable prices, check out
http://www.bargaintable.com/camping-food.htm.
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