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When it comes to food
while you camp, basically anything goes. It's a time where you
should try to be as creative as possible. If you have spices use
them. If you have left over's dump them in the pot. Picking it out,
preserving it, traveling with it, and of course consuming it. Food
is a large part of your trip so you want to have everything taken
care of before you leave.
The Best foods to take - and not
to take
When going on a back country trip, no matter if
it is a short or long amount of time, you don't want to take foods
that will spoil. Meat products tend to be a quick spoiler. It can't
last very long in a pack before it starts to go bad and smell even
worse. I personally would try to get your protein elsewhere if
possible. Peanut butter, nuts, and beans are great substitutes. But
if your really partial to meat and must take it along it should be
eaten within the first couple of days. Another great substitute for
all you meat lovers would be to bring Beef Jerky along. Not my
personal choice but, it does come highly recommended. Besides it
takes no preparation. Another no-no would be taking fruits. They
spoil quickly and are much to heavy and bulky. But wait, there is a
way for you to have your fruits (and veggies as well.) If you
dehydrate all your fruits and vegetables they stay fresh are light
to pack and by dehydration you don't lose many nutrients. Probably
the best foods to take while your camping would be lots of
carbohydrates. Noodles, macaroni and cheese,rice, you get the basic
idea. Carbohydrates keep your energy level up and your metabolism in
action. Soup, any kind, tends to make a great meal. As long as it
comes in a bag and not a can your set to go. Sandwiches are great
for a quick lunch but if you've ever been camping you know that
bread doesn't last very long without losing its consistency. I find
that pita bread not only doesn't fall apart but it packs a lot
easier as well. When picking out your food you must remember that
your carrying it in with you and your carrying it out with
you.
Packing and Preparation of foods
When
planning a trip you should not only plan your travel schedule but
your food schedule as well. It's one less thing you have to worry
about later. You should get all the foods your going to take for
your trip and divide them into meals. If the food is all ready
packed separately you'll know you have enough food for each meal and
again it's one less thing to worry about. When packing the food your
going to want to take it out of the individual boxes or bags that it
came in. By doing this your eliminating excess room that was taken up
by the air in the bags. After you group the meals together in
plastic bags suck the excess air out again eliminating unwanted
bulk. The easiest way to know what food is where is by labeling it
for each meal. This is not necessary but sometimes helpful. Remember
that packing extra food is not a bad thing. You'd rather have too
much then not enough. The easiest foods to cook are the "just add
hot water" foods. Like soups, Ramen noodles, macaroni and so on. To
keep food fresh it must be packed well, this also eliminates the
chance of your food supply getting wet. Also remember that in
preserving your food you must preserve the supply no binging. But
most importantly you must tie your food up in the night. No, this is
not only if your in bear country. Speaking from experience raccoons
and other such animals know how to chew through a bag and they will.
Before you go to bed each night just quickly tie your food back up
in the plastic bags, stick it in a few bags and tie it up somewhere.
This somewhere should be above ground level (tent level as well.) If
you tie up your food you'll sleep peaceful and wake up to a great
breakfast.
A days worth of suggestions
If you
still don't exactly know what to take for your meals here are a few
suggestions.
Breakfast - Oatmeal is always a great favorite. But
don't forget to bring along brown sugar and cinnamon. Cereal is also
quick and easy. Yes, it's easy to do with powdered milk. Which
doesn't really taste half bad. But if you have a little time and
want a hot breakfast I highly suggest you try chocolate chip
pancakes. Everyone has had them before but there's just something
about camping and chocolate pancakes. They were meant to be
together.
Lunch - For lunch I personally like to stick on the
cold side. It's just faster and easier when your on the go. A few
suggestions are peanut butter and jelly, tuna fish -which is occurred
to carry but sometimes worth it-,cheese sandwiches. All the basics
and all on pita. You can bring along chips or granola bars something
for that extra craving. Things like chips are sometimes smashed when
packed so you must be aware of this and pack carefully. If you've
got time to spare and want a hot lunch grilled cheese and soup is a
great treat.
Snacks - When your constantly on the go it's hard
to not get hungry in between meals. You should always keep some
snacks close in your pack, they should be easy and accessible. The
best snacks are things that will give you a quick energy boost.
Since it's hard to grab a banana in the middle of the trail pick
things like granola bars, fruit roll-ups, trail mix -Gorp, (which
can basically be whatever you through in it)my favorite trail mix is
a combination of raisins, m&m's, peanuts, and dehydrated
fruit.
Dinner - For dinner there are so many different options.
But, i'll just give you a few suggestions. There's an all ready mixed
in (cooked together) noodles and sauce. Yes the sauce is dehydrated
but I swear it's worth the shot. If you decide to take along meat
there's a hundred different ways you can make great chicken
stir-fry. Just don't forget your seasonings. Macaroni and cheese is
always a possibility, along with soup. If you buy a whole punch of
different soups and through them all together in a plastic bag you
can have a great mystery meal. Unfortunately it's not always good,
but most of the time. Of course, you need to bring along smor's
ingredients for at least one meal. In case you don't know(which
means you've been living in a dark cave)smor's are made up of
roasted (or charred) marshmallow's in between a chocolate bar which is
in between two graham crackers. A perfect way to end a
day.
A few essential items to bring
- More than anything else remember water has become your most important food group. Always have water with you and plenty of it.
- Bring lots of spices and seasonings. When camping these could make a world of difference. Salt, pepper, garlic, Mrs. Dash, cinnamon, oregano, anything that you think might add a little kick to your food.
- DooDee, yes doodee. This is a great treat that no camper should go with out. It's just dry brownie mix. You add water later and you have instant brownie mix -but be careful not to add to much.
- Instant coffee, tea, and sugar -for those people that aren't great in the morning.
- Sometimes water gets a little bland so bring along some Dominade, Tang, Or Kool-aid for your enjoyment. Sugar can be good.
- Always bring along excess peanut butter and jelly, it never seems to go to waste.
- One more thing to remember is that while your hiking don't deny yourself food due to fat content. Backpacking is a high endurance, and highly physical activity. When shopping before your trip if your contemplating over a regular item or the fat free version, go regular. We will have no fat free on this trip. I promise you'll work it off.
Tips
* Click on the links above to view more Camping Tips *
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