Camping is a real adventure for many people, an activity in which we accept a lack of ultimate home comforts in order to be close to nature and the great outdoors. Of course, this can be tremendously rewarding to the spirit, even if you might not wish to do this every week, or for every trip you have.
One of the benefits of camping is that you get to enjoy solving problems – such as learning how to put the tent up, how to select a worthwhile lot (which can be private or public depending on where you are), and how to enjoy nature with hikes, careful trail walks, and of course, exploring the local towns and villages.
But of course, one of the appeals of camping is that not everything is instantly available. But what does that mean for your food intake? Sure, you hope to enjoy nature, but we doubt you’ll be hunting any animals for your sustenance, nor picking wild berries and mushrooms (especially because this can lead to real illness if you’re not careful).
In this post, we’ll discuss how to better eat while camping – for both you and your family.
The Power Of Flasks & Containers
You can keep a good meal pretty well-contained when camping, provided you have the right tools to do so. Thermos or temperature-sensitive flasks can keep soups nice and warm for a good number of hours, meaning that when you head to the local park or overlook the lake you can enjoy some soup with a small travel mug. Containers like this can even come in larger sizes, allowing you to enjoy loaded baked potato soup for more of a beautiful texture.
Travel utensils, plates and cups can be easily cleaned with a little water and dish soap, meaning that even if you only eat basic foods while camping you’ll be able to do so hygenically.
Small Grills & Gas Canisters
Small gas containers and travel grills can also allow you to enjoy a small barbecue or to heat certain foods in a pot, and they are sold in many camping shops near wherever your particular camping site will be. A small gas canister will give you an easily controllable flame that you can use to heat a pot of water, or cook ingredients directly. This is, of course, often quite similar to how military ration packs were formatted, only this time much more enjoyable and high-quality because weight, light and portability don’t necessarily have to be as important in a camping site as they do on the battlefield – but the same principles apply.
It’s also important to be mindful of the rules of the campsite you’re in – some may not allow gas canisters for fire safety reasons. Furthermore, be careful of how you dispose of cooking materials – it’s not uncommon for people to bury disposable barbecues at the beach which can lead to other people suffering foot burns. Caution and responsibility are key.
Budget In Some Restaurant Meals
You don’t need to spend thousands just to feed your family when camping – as you might be able to enjoy a family meal at the local pub, enjoy fish and chips or another takeout food, and spend relatively less than you had expected.
This gives you some time out of the campsite and in more comfortable surroundings – it also means you can add some versatility to the food you eat while out and about. It’s not hard to see just how beneficial that can be in the long term, for everyone.
Prep Non-Perishable Ingredients
Canned food, fruit, and instant powder meals like instant noodles can be a good way to have at least something on hand if you can’t find any local provisions or aren’t willing to get up and search for food elsewhere or cook at the time.
That kind of approach can lead to a comfortable, tasty meal or snack that helps you get the energy you need for your big hike. Simple snacks like biscuits, crackers and even some harder cheeses can be carried with you in stronger containers.
Also, distilled water or well-bottled mineral water, teabags and coffee can always be useful and help you stay hydrated. After all, if absolutely necessary you can skip a meal, but you should never skip hydration as this is essential.
With this advice, you’ll be able to eat well while camping, while also making sure you have some basic provisions necessary to eat acceptably in a pinch. This way, you can camp for longer, and perhaps in more remote regions than you’re used to.