Every camping trip has one thing in common: campers need to eat. Many hobbyists suggest that the process of planning meals is merely a matter of carrying items campers enjoy eating. This is true to an extent, but there are certain camping food necessities every outdoor enthusiast should consider. These can easily be broken down into five important categories: protein, energy, taste, hydration, and safety.
Human cognitive and muscular functions depend on protein; there’s no way around that fact. Hiking and backwoods camping are demanding activities requiring regular protein intake. Beef and turkey jerky afford a ready source of protein, and jerky products carry the additional advantage of not requiring refrigeration. Meat products such as chicken and tuna are readily available in vacuum-packed containers, and hot dogs are pre-cooked and are easily transported. Vegetarians find that nuts and canned or dried beans easily meet the same nutritional requirements.
Energy should be an outdoor adventurer’s primary concern, and carbohydrates are the food pyramid’s best supply. Crackers, granola, trail mixes and dried fruits are all examples of foods that provide a quick energy boost while making eating easy on a campout or hike.
Hydration is a crucial factor for anyone spending more than a few hours in the great outdoors. Water is perhaps a camper’s most critical commodity, but many foods are capable of answering the same needs. Whole fruits such as oranges, apples, grapes and pears pack natural stores of water and can be carried for several days without refrigeration.
Some campers prefer to combine the wonders of the great outdoors with the culinary preferences of home. Anyone interested in bringing epicurean comforts to the embers of a wilderness campfire should come equipped with a cooler, camping stove and requisite cooking utensils. Rice is easily prepared and provides a welcome complement to any fireside meal.
Camping food necessities are a matter of personal preference, but the presence of resident wildlife makes safety a primary consideration in the planning of all meals. Food should always be packaged in airtight plastic bags and carried away from the campsite to prevent unwanted visits by native animals attracted by the scents and sights of mealtime at the campfire.
Images via sporkist, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
