Complying with your diet while participating in recreational activities can be challenging. However, there are easy alternatives that you can share with your family or friends while you are camping to help you stay on track. Some mild modifications to favorite camping treats allow you to participate in traditional camping activities without significantly increasing your daily calorie count.
Healthy Hiking Snacks
Some quintessential snacks that hikers eat for sustained energy are an exciting snack option while camping. Dried fruits, trail mix and granola are all easy to eat and do not require refrigeration. Remember that these snacks are often calorie dense, so reading the nutrition labels and controlling portion sizes is essential. Bring several 1/2-cup plastic containers with lids so that you can measure your snacks and bring them along with you to eat as needed throughout the day.
Campfire Treats
A standard s'more with two toasted marshmallows, half of a chocolate bar and a graham cracker has over 200 calories. Replace this treat with several toasted marshmallows, at 23 calories each. Take time to slowly toast the marshmallows one at at time to spread your treat over the entire evening. If you can't refuse a s'more, consider making a half-size portion or eliminate the chocolate to reduce the snack to around 100 calories.
Meal Substitutions
Easy meal substitutions create the opportunity for you to participate in group activities without derailing your diet. Replace your hot dogs with fat-free turkey hot dogs for only 45 calories each, or reduce the calories of a traditional hamburger by preparing turkey or reduced-fat beef burgers. Bring whole-grain hot dog or hamburger buns to increase your fiber intake. And remember to pack fresh lettuce and tomatoes to help you increase your fruit and vegetable intake. At breakfast, bring egg whites to use in pancake mix or a southwestern-style egg substitute for healthy omelets.
Fresh Produce
Make sure to pack an abundance of fresh produce to help you stay full and maintain healthy daily fiber intake. Consider which fruits and vegetables to pack because you will not want any produce that requires significant preparation time. Cut up veggies ahead that you can eat within three days, and fresh fruit, such as melons, that you can eat over the first two days. After that, bring produce that can be easily transported, such as apples and oranges.
Keep Hydrated
With any healthy eating habit plan, maintaining hydration is essential. Remember that when you are camping you are likely to be exposed to more extreme temperatures. These temperature variations will contribute to increased dehydration. Bring along several gallon jugs of filtered water because most campsites may provide well water with an aftertaste. Consider packing sugar-free drink mixes to add some excitement to your drink and help you increase your fluid intake.
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