Going camping doesn't have to mean surviving off processed foods full of preservatives. Packing healthy and tasty campout food without that much fuss is possible, so if you want to bring the best campers' food to your next adventure, keep reading!
One of the most critical steps to packing camping food is to have a meal plan. After this, determine the best way to store each food item. It's also a big help to bring along a mini fridge or cooler with you to help keep your food fresh. Regarding what to pack, here are some suggestions from the Outbax experts themselves, from handy snacks to hearty stir fries.
Best Camping Food to Support a Healthy Diet
Snacks
If you search "camping snacks Australia" online, you'll see many suggestions, but if you're trying to stick to choices with multiple benefits, go with fruits, trail mix, and protein bars.
Fruits
Fruit is a great nutritious snack packed full of vitamins and minerals, but pack fruit that doesn't bruise easily, such as apples and oranges, instead of bananas and pears.
Protein Bars
Need high protein food that's easy to eat? Protein bars are your best pick! Choose bars that use high-quality sources of protein, such as hydrolysed whey, whey isolates, and micellar casein and avoid protein bars with added sugar.
Trail Mix
Snacking on trail mix helps to keep your blood sugars constant, alleviating the roller coaster effect that sees you having peaks and lows in energy throughout the day. Try controlling portions in handy snack-sized plastic bags.
Breakfast
Breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, especially if you're set for a day of adventure. A healthy breakfast should be a balance of nutrients. It should be a high protein source and contain healthy fat, fibre, and carbohydrates to fuel your day. It's also extra beneficial in the camping scene if your brekkie is easy to prepare, like oatmeal or yoghurt topped with fruits.
Porridge/Oatmeal
Porridge and oatmeal now come in handy in sachets that need hot water. These are great for warming and filling you up in the morning. Oatmeal is particularly great for heart health and blood sugar. Plus, you can top it with fresh fruits, nuts, and a drizzle of honey for extra flavour!
Overnight oats are also very popular lately. These are usually topped with almond milk for a calcium-rich addition, some fruits, and chia seeds. Chia seeds are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids that help improve heart health, making them a yummy, easy-to-fix, and nutritious camping breakfast!
Yoghurt
Calcium intakes are crucial for adventurers—excellent bone health is important to cope while exploring the great outdoors! If you want to pack a dairy product or calcium rich foods for camping, look for non-fat Greek or natural yoghurt, as they contain significant amounts of calcium, protein, and zinc. You can also add your choice of toppings to make it extra special!
Pancakes
If making them from scratch doesn't float your boat, try a packet that needs water and get shaking. Alternatively, freeze your favourite pancake batter in a sandwich bag before you go and cut the tip off when you want to use it. After making your pancakes, you can add a dollop of peanut butter for protein and banana slices for fibre!
Lunch
A good lunch should fuel you for the second half of your camping adventure. If you're planning to search online for "camping food ideas Australia," we already have the best picks for you here! Read on and start prepping your lunch camping menu.
Sandwiches or Wraps
Sandwiches and wraps are some of the best campers' food out there. They're handy and support a balanced diet with a good mix of meat, carbs, and veggies. You can also try several varieties here—burritos, turkey and avocado wraps, BLT, and more!
Pre-made Bagged Salad
You can never go wrong with pre-prepared salads in terms of health benefits. They're delicious, low in saturated fat, and fibre-rich to keep you in great shape all throughout your trip. Throw in a fruit for dessert, and you have the healthiest campout food combo!
Hard-boiled eggs
Eggs are a high protein source and can easily be added to a salad or made into a sandwich. They're super versatile and make the perfect quick fixes for on-the-go campers. If you're planning to "rough it up" and pack light on your camping trip, you must have hard-boiled eggs on your camping menu.
Canned Tuna
Tuna is another meal option low in saturated fat and high in omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and potassium. Like sandwiches/wraps, you can also create several recipes with this, like tuna salads or tuna rice balls for an easy-to-eat, hearty meal.
Dinner
It's always nice to cap a day of adventure with a good dinner. Usually, the evenings are the best time to unwind, share stories around the campfire, and enjoy a deliciously nutritious meal. If you plan on cooking during your camping, below are some of the best campout food ideas you can go for.
Chilli
A great big pot of chilli is perfect when camping with friends and can easily be prepared over a fire or on a camp stove. Simply add browned mince, kidney beans, tinned tomatoes, and a bit of water. Then, finish with a packet of chilli spice mix and simmer. If you want something a little more unique, you can also try black bean chilli!
Stir Fries
Stir Fries are a filling option for campers opting for a balanced diet. You have many options here—veggies, meat, and even noodles! It's convenient and packed with nutrients and flavour to suit every camper's taste.
Baked Potatoes
Potatoes are straightforward to prepare when camping. Start by poking a few holes in each potato using a fork, wrap in foil and then place on the hot coals or close to the fire for 30 minutes. Finish with a tin of tuna or a bit of natural yoghurt. It's a yummy campers' food with healthy fat, carbohydrates, and protein.
Stew
A stew or casserole will keep you warm on chilly nights and can easily be prepared in a large pot. Simply brown off some pre-floured beef, then add onion, carrots, celery, potatoes, and some salt and pepper. Bring some water or a carton of stock to the boil, and enjoy with your fellow campers.
Power Your Cooking Essentials with Outbax
Enjoying good campers’ food should not mean letting go of electronics that help you cook conveniently. If you're bringing an electric cooker, a microwave oven, or a toaster, you'd want them to run smoothly for excellent results.
Given this, it's important to pack reliable portable power equipment, which we are masters in! Here at Outbax, we have a wide range of premium LiFePO4 batteries, power stations, and portable generators that you can use to power your cooking appliances. All of our power items are tested for efficiency and safety and are designed specifically for outdoor adventures.
Visit our website today and take your pick. You might even get to score some of our available discounts, so don't miss out and shop now!
