Camping is a popular way to spend summer vacations. It also provides us with some great opportunities to shake up our normal routine. You can spend the day hiking – which not only burns a lot of calories, but also provides many benefits for our brain and mental well-being. Additionally, the opportunity to spend some time outdoors and away from home or work gives us a chance to unplug, recharge, and de-stress.
While there are many health benefits to camping, it can also pose a challenge in ensuring the food we eat while camping remains healthy. We often try to simplify, save space, and maximize the amount of time enjoying camping rather than cooking. This can cause us to choose quick/easy options and unfortunately these items don’t always offer many health benefits.
The good news is with some ideas and planning you can keep your healthy habits going while camping! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Plan ahead. One reason fast food is so popular is that it is a quick option that doesn’t require planning. Many popular camping foods have a similar concept. It’s much easier to grab a pack of hot dogs and a bag of chips if you are in a hurry. Try planning a few of your meals ahead, or even plan the whole trip-worth of meals! This will provide you with a great packing list and give you the opportunity to choose items that are both healthy and easy to pack.
Prep. Planning a menu and choosing nutritious meals is a great first step. Prepping meals ahead can get you one step closer to healthy meals on a camping trip. Prepping can reduce the time you need to spend cooking as well as keep you from grabbing those quick/less nutritious options. Imagine coming back from a hike or walk and having a salad waiting for you, rather than being tempted to open the bag of potato chips.
Bring healthy snacks. Let’s face it – when camping, snacking is life! Snacking is a fun part of camping you don’t have to give up. Just set yourself up for success! You can’t eat a bag of chips you didn’t bring along. Instead, pack fresh fruit, dried fruits, nuts, veggies, hummus, or protein bars.
Keep moving. Remember, there is no wrong way to camp! Whether you prefer relaxing at camp, or adventuring around, that’s great! Just make sure each day you spend some time moving. Try a short nearby trail to get in some steps, go for a quick swim, or roll out a yoga mat to get your blood flowing.
Drink water. Your body needs water to keep things running smoothly. When camping, you might be spending more time moving, exercising, or sweating during hot afternoons than you’re used to. Make sure to carry water with you and have it available throughout the day. As a general rule, drink at least half your weight in ounces of water per day.