When going on a camping trip, one of the most important decisions you have to make is about the food you bring with you. You’re used to having supermarkets and restaurants available to feed yourself around the clock, but out in nature you have to rely on careful planning to ensure you have the right things to eat and enough food to get by. You have many options available to you when planning meals for an outdoor excursion.
Perishables
Food safety is the most important thing to consider when planning a camping menu. Without the availability of refrigeration, you must rely on shelf-stable foods that have been packaged to remain safe at room temperature. Some fresh items can be brought along, but it’s important to keep in mind the length of your trip and consider the possibility of spoilage.
Canned Goods
Canned foods will remain safe to eat until opened and offer many options, but they also have some significant drawbacks, which limit their usefulness on a camping trip. Canned goods are heavy, and produce a lot of trash, which must be carried back out of the wilderness. If you’re camping out of your car, canned foods can help provide variety in your menu.
Freeze-Dried Foods
Freeze-dried foods are excellent for camping. The removal of water renders the food extremely lightweight, allowing you to carry more meals worth of supplies than you could with fresh or canned goods. The only drawback is freeze-dried foods require a lot of water to rehydrate and prepare, so if you’re camping in an area without fresh water you’ll need to ensure you carry extra for your meals. This extra water can negate the weight advantage freeze dried foods offer, so plan accordingly.
MREs
A popular camping option, Meals Ready to Eat are self-contained meals produced by the military or civilian companies. Each package contains an entree along with side items to make up a balanced meal, and most menus are designed to provide the most calories and energy in the smallest package possible. MREs can be expensive, however, and produce a large amount of trash that, though lightweight, must be carried out.
Snacks
Ready-to-eat snacks are another great source of energy for camping and hiking trips. High carbohydrate snacks, such as trail mix, offer quick energy, and high-protein snacks, including beef jerky, can help fill you up between meals. Being able to eat on the move is another advantage that can save you time, preventing you from having to unpack your cooking equipment at a rest stop just to fill an empty stomach.
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