Camping trips often involve a trade-off between enjoying the great outdoors and sacrificing healthy eating habits. However, with some planning and creativity, it’s possible to enjoy nutritious meals while camping. Aaron Owens Mayhew, a dietitian and long-haul trekker, emphasizes the importance of eating healthy while camping, as it can greatly impact one’s energy levels and overall well-being.

Eating Healthy on the Trail

Owens Mayhew suggests that campers should eat the same healthy foods they would at home, rather than relying on processed and high-calorie foods. She recommends planning meals in advance, prepping ingredients at home, and using lightweight and healthy ingredients such as instant brown rice, quinoa, and couscous. Adding fresh herbs, spices, and other flavor boosters can also enhance the flavor of meals without adding extra calories.

Rashad Frazier, founder of Camp Yoshi, a gourmet adventure outfitter, also emphasizes the importance of planning and prepping meals in advance. He recommends making a universal spice mix at home and bringing it on the camping trip to add flavor to meals. Frazier also suggests having an emergency backup meal, such as a homemade pureed soup or peanut butter and jelly, in case of bad weather or other unexpected events.

Recipes for Healthy Camping Meals

Two recipes that can elevate campsite cooking are Rashad Frazier’s Universal Camping Spice Mix and Backcountry Foodie’s Parmesan Pesto Ramen. The Universal Camping Spice Mix is a blend of spices that can be used to add flavor to any meal, while the Parmesan Pesto Ramen is a healthy and flavorful twist on traditional ramen noodles.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.