Your body needs plenty of nutrition while you camp, but you won't have access to the cooking resources you do at home. Plus, it's difficult to keep foods hot or cold, so bacterial growth and spoilage are potential problems. But if you plan ahead for your meals and bring high-calorie power foods, you can make sure your body receives the sustenance it needs. Remember to drink plenty of water with every meal.
If you plan to hike or kayak all day during your camping trip, eat a good breakfast that supplies you with plenty of energy. The easiest no-cook breakfast foods are fruits, vegetables and pre-made items, such as bagels, breads, granola, energy bars and muffins. For an extra dose of energy, add peanut butter to any of these. If you like cereal in the morning, put some in a bowl and add powdered milk and water.
Fruits and vegetables make great lunches, especially if you are on the move and don't have time to stop. Other no-cook lunch ideas are beef jerky, trail mix, smoked meats that don't require refrigeration; banana bread; any dehydrated foods; canned tuna or ham; and crackers. Have sunflower or pumpkin seeds to finish off the meal.
At the end of the day, you need to replenish the energy you burned off. Eat high-protein foods such as peanut butter, nuts and dried meats. If you want a full entree, buy dehydrated meals from a camping supplies store. Some brands require you only to add water and then let the food soak for several minutes. The advantages of dehydrated food are that it is lighter than regular food, so it is easier to carry, plus it will not spoil so long as it stays dry. If you plan to camp often, buy a food dehydrator and create your own meals. For dessert, have a container of prepackaged apple sauce or a can of fruit cocktail.
