Camping with the family can be an exciting way to spend more time outdoors. Not only is it beneficial for your health, but you can also strengthen family bonds. It’s also a platform to introduce your kids to important life skills and how to adapt to changes life may throw their way. It’s no wonder that over 50 million Americans above six embraced camping in 2020 and 2021. One crucial thing to consider when camping is nutrition- you have to decide and plan what meals your family will consume. If you’re new to this, here are practical tips you can leverage for the best results.
- Create a plan
The first step is to know what kind of camping you’re embarking on and create a plan best suited to it. For instance, you want to focus on your activities and length of stay to determine the best meals. For instance, if you don’t intend to go on many activities or camp for multiple days, you can prepare elaborate meals you don’t have to store for long. On the other hand, longer camping trips require foods with longer shelf life, while more activities may cause you to focus on simpler meals to save time and energy. You should also note that you may need more food and water if you plan to engage in more activities like canoeing, hiking, kayaking, etc. Therefore, you want to ensure that you’re well prepared.
- Consume your perishable meals first
Perishable meals can quickly spoil or become stale and require preservation options like refrigeration. Since you may not have a fridge, eating these meals makes sense. This way, you can prevent food waste and loss of resources. For instance, if you’re bringing oven-baked chicken breast, you may want to consume it on the first day of your trip. While at it, you can learn how to make oven baked chicken breast if this is your first time trying this recipe. Experts advise putting your perishable foods directly on ice to prevent them from spoiling earlier than normal.
- Consider meal prepping before your trip
Camping involves preparing your camping ground, setting your tent, fetching wood, etc. It can be more time-consuming to cook from scratch after these activities, making meal prepping at home essential. You can start preparing your ingredients at home for more elaborate meals to lessen the campground cooking time. You can begin by cutting all your veggies and storing them in air-tight plastic containers before putting them in your ice coolers. Consequently, you can cook your protein at home if it takes longer to cook. If you want to cook from scratch on the campsite, ensure that you cook easier meals, so you don’t become tired.
- Don’t forget your snacks
It may not be practical to cook anytime you feel hungry. Therefore, you’ll find it helpful to pack snacks to satisfy your cravings. You can consider options like apple chips, potato chips, granola bars, s’mores popcorn, roasted chickpeas, nuts, etc.
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