One thing I have noticed in a lot of people is that they don't notice when they are hungry, but everyone around them does. Speaking for myself, when I am hungry I become a monster. Hunger makes me easily irritable, and just unhappy in general. When getting used to camping, we are immersed in an environment which is not especially conformable. If we add to that the emotional instability caused by hunger we have disaster. Because of this, you should try to keep your tummy happy at all times. To me this means eating constantly in small portions. Waiting for a meal means waiting until you get hungry, and in my case that is not a good idea.
Here are some snacks that I have learned which help me stay energized and happy during camping:
1. Peanut Butter (Pictured above with bananas!): When I first moved to the US I thought there were so many things wrong with peanut butter. I was only used to eating solid peanuts. And I still feel weird about it except for when I am camping. It has so much energy! and the best part about it is that you don't have to refrigerate it!
Beware: Some of them melt when its too hot. On one of my trips two people brought peanut butter. Someone brought an organic one, and someone brought the regular Jif stuff. I picked up the organic one and opened it to have it spilled all over myself and my camera :( When we checked the Jif one, it hadn't molten at all! only the organic did.
You can bring a big bag of bread to spread it on, crackers, fruit, a spoon, or your fingers (in some cases maybe even a straw.. ew). It is the easiest and fastest way to make your tummy happy!
2. Fruity Baby Food: Yup. You heard it right. The jars are fine, but the pouches are the best! they fit anywhere! they are basically the same thing as apple sauce, but with less sugar and more fruit options. I have found apple sauce with added flavors, but with baby food you actually get strawberry sauce! peach sauce! banana sauce! and infinite combinations! Some brands have even started to make them without the word "baby" written all over them, for those who are two shy. But I am not ashamed to flaunt my Gerber pouch around. This is a great way to satisfy a fruit craving without having to carry the fruit with you. Of course, fresh fruit is always better, but definitely won't last as long.
My favorites are ANYTHING with mango in it. But the Strawberry and Banana one pictured below is pretty amazing.
3. Beef Jerky: I have been criticized countless times on this one. But it is incredibly valuable for those who are used to eating meat every so often. The first time I went camping I was HUNGRY. I was sitting there imagining REAL food, we only had cookies left. Even though I hate steak, I had started picturing one in my mind, and my mouth was watering, when suddenly, I smelled it. I think in real life beef jerky smells like fart (not mine of course), I would never open one in class, or in any confined space, but in this context it smelled like heaven. I immediately started walking around this person waiting for him to notice me and offer some. He never did. From then on, I always have a couple of bags with me. It will satisfy your meat craving really nicely, and obviously, it is about the only way to bring meat on a trip like this without a heavy, burdensome cooler.
I always get Jack Links' Original, but there are also plenty of healthier options around.
4. Milk: Another way to get a lot of energy and protein in a small package. You can find milk which doesn't need to be refrigerated before opening. A lot of people in the US think its weird, but back home it was very very common. With milk you can improve your breakfast tenfold! When camping we ate cereal, or even oatmeal! (that is if you have the time, and a bit of heat)
Horizon Organic sells little boxes of it plain, skim, or with flavors. They are the perfect size for one person, which is great since once opened they have to be refrigerated.
5. Fire Cooked Potatoes: Wrap your potatoes with aluminum foil and place them IN the fire. When we did it we buried them in the ashes a bit, right under the fire. They took over an hour to cook, but they were great! especially with salt (putt some in a ziplock bag and bring with you. It makes everything taste better.
This aluminum foil method also works great with other vegetables! just cut them, add lemon juice and salt, pepper, wrap them and stick them in the fire for a while. Onions are especially delicious and stay fresh for a long time when raw.
Of course, there are always canned foods, which come in a huge variety. But I decided to show the ones that I didn't find so obvious, even though I am sure that for some of you they are.
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