Just because you're sleeping in a tent and cooking over a fire doesn't mean you have to set aside your efforts to eat healthy. In fact, camping is a great time to eat healthy. With an open flame, you can cook more flavor into all your favorite healthy options, from meat to sweet potatoes. Check out these five tips for healthy camping food before you prepare your next meal by the fire.
Redefine Camping Food
Camping food has a reputation for being unhealthy and processed. Hot dogs, burgers and chips typically come to mind. However, when you redefine your own definition of camping food, you can begin to see it in a healthier light.
For the healthy eater, camping food should conjure images of fire-roasted veggies, flame-licked sweet potatoes and marinated grilled meat. So, how do you get there? It all starts with the right prep work.
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Do the Prep Work
Prepping is the key to healthy camping food, similar to prepping lunches for the week. When you don't prep, you're likely to grab something unhealthy just because it's available. When preparing for the camping trip, be sure to prep the following:
- Veggies: Cut them at home and place them in a plastic bag or sealable container. This removes the hassle of having veggies at the campsite. With pre-cut veggies, you can easily slide them onto a skewer, drizzle with olive oil, and roast over the fire.
- Meat: Slice or cube your lean meat before heading out. Again, this makes the cooking process faster and easier. If you forget the proper cutting utensils, you'll still have a healthy dinner option. Take it up a notch by marinating before you go or giving it a spice rub.
- Fruit: Buy seasonal fruits, as they have more nutritional value, and are often cheaper. Try making a fruit salad beforehand. You can grab and go while you're hanging around the campsite instead of diving into an open bag of chips.
- Oils: Pour any oils you may want (olive, canola or sesame seed) into small, portable containers to bring with you. This will bring more flavor to any healthy meal you cook, just like at home.
