One of the most important rules of camping is to always bring enough food. If you venture into the wild with the plan of hunting, fishing and/or foraging for your food, you could find yourself in a world of trouble. Unless you are an experienced outdoorsman with a very strong familiarity with the territory you are entering, bringing food is a must. You can make your trip more easy, comfortable and satisfying by choosing the best foods for outdoor living.
Noodles
Noodles are loaded with carbohydrates. Whether it's inexpensive ramen noodles or thicker grain pastas, noodles can be cooked easily in a pot of water held over a fire. Noodles are also lightweight and can be stored without any refrigeration or special care. The energy found in this food is key for various activities and tasks performed while camping, whether it's hiking through the woods or chopping wood to build a fire.
Dried Fruits
You can't rely on foraging for fruit in the wilderness, but it's still important to eat a diet featuring this food group. Fruits are loaded with necessary vitamins and minerals that will help you feel energetic and keep your immune system strong. Dried apples, apricots, raisins and peaches are popular forms of dried fruit that can be stored in a backpack and easily carried.
Meat
Protein is important to your camping diet, particularly if you are performing rigorous activities. Protein also creates a feeling of fullness of your body, which can be very beneficial if your food supply is smaller than you expected. If you have a cooler or other form of refrigeration--and a means of cooking them--you can pack popular meats, such as steaks or hot dogs. If these aren't options, canned tuna is cheap and easy to transport. Nuts are a good substitute to meat due to their high-protein content.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is a great breakfast food due to its high carbohydrate and fiber content. It is also very easy to make and can be served cold, if necessary. Be sure to get instant oatmeal since it eliminates cooking steps and makes the process easier. Oatmeal is also very compact and lightweight, if you will also be hiking and transporting your food.
Pita Bread
Sandwiches are an easy and popular fix for a meal. But bread can quickly lose its consistency and grow stale. Loaves of bread are also space-consuming because of their low density. For this reason, pita breads and sometimes flour tortillas are used as an alternative to bread. These are more compact and keep their form longer than bread, making for more pleasant meals.
Condiments
A little flavoring can go a long way, if you have the space for it. Ketchup and mustard are two popular options for camping because they go well with another well-known camping food, the hot dog. Other products like peanut butter and jelly can be used to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, serving as the main course for a meal.
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