What Kind of Food Is Good for Camping
From LoveToKnow Camping
Are you wondering what kind of food is good for camping? When you're planning a camping trip, it's important to bring food that is easy to store and prepare when you are spending time in the great outdoors.
Deciding What Kind of Food Is Good for Camping
When deciding what kind of food is good for camping, it's important to consider where you are going and what type of camping trip you are taking. The food items acceptable for back country backpacking excursions are very different from the choices that you can make if you are taking a trip in a recreational vehicle or if you will be tent camping at an improved campsite.
Factors that need to be taken into account when selecting food to take camping include:
- Availability of refrigeration
- Cleanup limitations
- Food preparation options
- Storage needs for leftovers
- Portability needs
- Preferences of campers
- Utensils and service containers needs
Foods Suitable for Backpacking
When backpacking, it's essential to keep the weight of any items you are carrying along to a minimum. Since you'll be carrying your own gear, food and water, you'll want to take foods that are easy to transport and prepare and that don't require refrigeration. It's also important to carry foods packaged in single serving sizes to reduce unnecessary waste.
Freeze dried and dehydrated meals, such as the ones available from Mountain House, are an excellent option for backpackers. They are lightweight and require little or no preparation to enjoy. They are available in many flavors and provide backpackers with the nutrients they need to perform at peak capacity.
Other food items that are good to carry along on backpacking trips include:
- Beef Jerky
- Cheese and cracker packets
- Dried fruit
- Nuts
- Peanut Butter
- Protein bars
- Summer sausage
- Trail mix
Beverages are also an important consideration when camping. Be sure to carry a sufficient supply of drinking water and/or water purification tablets. You may also want to bring instant coffee, powdered milk, and other powdered flavoring agents that can be mixed with water.
Food Choices for Improved Camping
Any of the food options suitable for backpacking are also acceptable for those planning tent or RV camping trips at improved campsites. When you are staying in a campground where you can store food in a large ice chest or where electricity is available, you can also enjoy many additional good options.
If you are taking a grill with you, or if one will provided at the campsite where you are staying, you may want to take along meat and vegetables that can be cooked over an open fire. Hamburger patties, hot dogs, chicken and corn on the cob are popular choices for outdoor meals. You can also prepare soups, stews and foil packet casseroles at your campsite.
It's also a good idea to take foods that you can enjoy without having to fire up the grill. Consider packing chips or sliced cheese and crackers for snacking. Sandwiches can also be a good choice for camping trips, so you may want to take lunch meat, bread and your favorite condiments.
Desserts that can be prepared and enjoyed over the campfire are a favorite of many campers. Consider taking a package of marshmallows that can be roasted and enjoyed after dinner. S'mores are also a favorite outdoor sweet treat. To make these, you'll need graham crackers, marshmallows and chocolate bars.
A Word of Caution
Food safety is a significant concern when camping. If you are taking food that need to be kept cold, proper storage is essential. Keep any items requiring refrigeration in an ice chest with a sufficient amount of ice or in your recreational vehicle's built-in refrigerator. It's also important to properly wash preparation surfaces as well as any cookware, utensils and dishes you may use.
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This page has been accessed 4,047 times. This page was last modified 02:48, 1 June 2009.
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