People like camping because it gets them out into nature. But that also means you need to plan ahead for your supplies, including food. The type of cooking you plan to do determines the types of food to bring. You can cook over the campfire, using roasting sticks, grill grates or foil pouches. Camp stoves offer more flexibility for food preparation at the campsite.
Breakfast
Foods that don't require cooking or refrigeration are convenient for camping purposes. Dry cereal, breakfast bars, granola and fruit work well. With these breakfast foods, you can eat quickly so you can jump into the day's activities. If you are using a camp stove, you can pack eggs, bacon, sausage and pancake mix and make a traditional breakfast in a skillet. Keep perishable items in a camper refrigerator or in a cooler with plenty of ice.
Lunch
Sandwiches make a quick meal for lunches while camping. Cold cuts or spreads, such as peanut butter and hummus, work well for the sandwiches. Bring a loaf of bread or a package of buns to complete the sandwiches. Add easy sides such as chips, nuts, trail mix, fresh vegetables and fresh fruit to the lunch food list to round out the meal.
Dinner
Meat cooked over the campfire offers a hearty dinner at the campground. Hot dogs, hamburger, chicken and steak work well. Use a roasting stick for hot dogs, or make hamburgers, chicken and steak on a grill grate or in a grilling basket held over the flames. You also can cut up the meat and place it in heavy-duty foil with vegetables and seasonings. Fold over the foil to create a pouch for cooking on the fire. Pasta and pasta sauce offer another dinner option. Neither item requires refrigeration, making them safe for camping situations. Pair the pasta with salads or bread for a complete meal.
Snacks
Trail mix and granola bars offer fiber in a convenient snack. Both snacks hold up well outdoors and travel well if you go on hikes. Fresh fruit and vegetables also keep well and offer a nutritious camping snack. Hummus and peanut butter are healthy dips for both fruit and vegetables. For a more indulgent camping snack, pack the materials for s'mores: graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate bars.
Beverages
Staying hydrated keeps you healthy when you're camping. Determine if your camping location offers access to clean, fresh water. If not, bring plenty of water, unless you plan to boil the water or bring a water filtration system with you. Juice, coffee, tea and soda offer variety for camping beverages, but they don't offer as much hydration as water. These beverages should be consumed sparingly, especially if you are really active.
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