Camping is the perfect way to reconnect with nature and escape the stress of daily life. It's also the perfect opportunity to shake up the routine and enjoy delicious meals in the great outdoors. With a little preparation, you can easily savour tasty and nutritious meals during your adventure.
Here are some fun and easy-to-prepare ideas for your camping trips, carefully selected and/or created by the dietitians at ÉquipeNutrition, a partner of Bonjour-santé.
An omelette in a bag is a great way to start the day. All you need is a resealable plastic bag (like a Zip Lock bag), eggs, and your favourite ingredients like chopped vegetables, cheese, and ham pieces. Mix everything in the bag, seal it tightly, and cook in boiling water for about 10 minutes.
2. Protein pancakes for camping
This mix is perfect for making delicious and nutritious pancakes in no time. Just mix the preparation with water and cook on a griddle or cast-iron skillet over the fire. Serve with fresh fruit and maple syrup for a tasty breakfast.
3. High-fibre, high-protein overnight oats
Prepare this oatmeal the night before for a quick and nutritious breakfast. To serve, add soy beverage and maple syrup. Let the mixture rest overnight to create a cold, ready-to-eat overnight oatmeal.
Wraps are perfect for a quick and easy lunch. Use whole wheat tortillas, add grilled chicken, fresh vegetables like bell peppers, tomatoes, and lettuce, then wrap it all up. For extra flavour, you can add a sauce made from plain yogurt mixed with herbs, like a ranch dip.
This jar salad is light, nutritious, and perfect for camping. You will need canned black beans, diced English cucumber, corn kernels, diced tomatoes, lemon juice, and grated cheddar cheese. Assemble everything in a Mason jar for a convenient and colourful meal option.
Prepare an egg salad by mixing mashed hard-boiled eggs with mayonnaise, mustard, herbs, and cottage cheese. Spread on whole wheat bread and add lettuce leaves and tomato slices.
1. Legume pasta
Legume pasta is a camping classic. They are simple to prepare and can be complemented with various ingredients. Cook your pasta and prepare a tomato sauce with vegetables of your choice (zucchini, peppers, onions) and meat if desired.
2. Vegetable, potato, and cheese curd foil packs
Foil packs are perfect for cooking near the fire’s embers. Place an assortment of vegetables with baby potatoes and cheese curds on a sheet of aluminium foil, season, seal the pack, and cook over the embers. At moderate ambient temperatures (around 20°C), cheese curds can be safely stored for about 24 hours, making them ideal for camping. Then, transfer them to the cooler.
3. Spicy vegetarian chocolate chilli
Prepare a vegetarian chilli with beans, corn, tomatoes, and a touch of chocolate. It’s a hearty meal that can be prepared in advance and reheated on a camping stove.
1. Trail mix
A mix of dried fruits and nuts is a perfect camping snack. Easy to carry, it provides a good energy boost thanks to the carbohydrates from the dried fruits and the proteins from the nuts. This sweet-salty mix is also low in FODMAPs (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols).
2. Homemade granola bars or energy bites
Homemade cereal bars or energy balls are a healthy alternative to store-bought versions. Mix rolled oats, honey, peanut butter, nuts, and dried fruits, press everything into a mould or form into balls. These snacks are ideal for a quick energy boost during hikes.
3. Fresh fruit
Fresh fruit is always an excellent option. Opt for sturdy fruits that transport well, such as apples, oranges, or bananas. They provide essential vitamins and fibres to keep your energy up throughout the day.
To fully enjoy your camping meals, it is important to store your food properly:
Eating well and healthily while camping is entirely possible with a little preparation and the right ideas. Whether you prefer simple or more elaborate meals, the key is to enjoy your outdoor moments without food stress.
For personalised advice, take advantage of the exclusive services for Bonjour-Santé members. Log in to your Bonjour-Santé account or subscribe to enjoy exclusive benefits, including a special discount on your first consultation with a dietitian-nutritionist from our partner, ÉquipeNutrition.
By following these tips, your camping adventure will not only be memorable but also deliciously healthy!
