Heathy Camping

Healthy Camping

Camping outdoors is a great way to get the family active and connect with the outdoors. It is important to fuel your body with nutritious meals and snacks so you have the energy for all of the activities camping entails. Below are some suggestions for healthy meals.
Breakfast
Pre-measure some oatmeal, or bring instant oatmeal packets, to cook over the camp stove. Sweeten with dried fruit or honey. If you have a lot of activities planned, add some nuts to pack in some more calories. Pancakes made with whole-wheat flour or vegetable omelets are another great option.
Lunch
Think of foods that can be prepared without heat, so you can quickly make them with little clean up.  Peanut butter sandwiches are an option. Packets of tuna that can be easily spread onto whole-grain bread is another easy lunch. Bring pre-sliced vegetables to make a quick and easy vegetable wrap using a flour tortilla or pita bread. Trail mix is an easy and tasty finish to this meal as is granola bars or protein bars.
Dinner
At dinner, there is usually more time to spend on preparing and cooking meals. Spread some tomato sauce, vegetables and shredded cheese on whole wheat pita bread and roast over the fire for easy pizzas. Roast sweet potatoes, regular potatoes, carrots, and corn on the cob over the fire as well. Mix some instant rice with warmed refried beans and roasted corn then add to a whole wheat wrap for a Mexican dinner.

Written by: Lauren Von Drashek, Dietetic Intern, Brown County UW-Extension