Selecting the Best Canned and Preserved Foods for Camping Trips
Heading out on a camping adventure? While hot dogs and smores are classic campsite fare, they leave much to be desired nutritionally. Thankfully, today's durable canned and jarred foods offer healthy, portable options perfect for outdoor expeditions near and far from home.
Benefits of Canned Foods for Camping
From proteins to fruits and vegetables, canned options provide a bevy of advantages over fresh items when camping:
- Lightweight and packable
- Do not require refrigeration
- Quick preparation with minimal tools required
- Long shelf lives in excess of 1-2 years
- Nutritionally comparable to fresh versions
Modern canning techniques make canned choices like beans, tuna, salmon, chicken, and even many produce items perfect for portable campsite cooking.
Canned Proteins for Camp Meals and Snacks
Protein fuels muscles while keeping campers feeling fuller longer. Always pack an assortment of the following canned protein sources for camping menus:
- Tuna - Dolphin-safe albacore and skipjack tuna pack 15-20g protein per serving. Try flavored pouches for chicken, ranch, or buffalo-style enhancements.
- Salmon - Pink salmon offers an affordable option with 13g of protein per 100g. Red sockeye salmon boasts a fuller flavor and rich omega-3 content.
- Sardines - These underrated little fish provide a whopping 25g of protein alongside heart-healthy fats per can. Opt for skinless and boneless for easy snacking.
- Chicken - Shredded or diced chicken breast meats make excellent instant meal additions or sandwiches. Choose products canned in water without preservatives.
- Beans - Fiber-rich beans like chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, and refried pinto beans supply a vegetarian protein boost, each can packing around 11-15g.
Packable Fruits and Veggies for Quick Vitamin Boosts
While fresh fruits and vegetables retain more nutrients, their canned counterparts make ingesting daily servings of produce infinitely more convenient while camping far from grocery stores. Some smart selections include:
- Mandarin oranges - Sweet single-serving oranges pack refreshing vitamin C and make easy individualized snacks.
- Fruit cocktail - The colorful medley of bite-sized pineapple, peaches, pears, grapes, and cherries creates a hydrating trail mix alternative high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
- Applesauce - Made from pureed apples, sauce varieties from natural to cinnamon to strawberry provide an energizing dose of antioxidants best served chilled.
- Beets - This ruby superfood retains its healthful phytonutrients and pairs perfectly with cottage cheese or nuts for a nutrient-dense snack or salad topper.
- Garbanzo beans - Also sold as chickpeas, these satisfying legumes supply vegetarian protein and soluble fiber that promotes heart health.
Convenient Camping Prep Shelf-Stable Foods
In addition to canned goods, many ancestral freezer aisle staples conveniently transport to accommodate remote camp chefs with limitations on ingredients, equipment, power, and water.
- Cured meats - Pepperoni, salami sticks, and beef or turkey jerky provide salty, protein-packed trail snacks able to withstand summer heat.
- Nut butters - Calorie-dense options like almond butter, sunflower seed butter, and peanut butter drive energy levels and keep appetite satisfied.
- Vacuum-packed fish - Precooked tuna, salmon, mackerel, sardines, and shellfish pack a nutritional punch no refrigeration required. They work perfectly for no-cook meals after long days.
- Powdered milk and eggs - Dehydrated dairy products like milk powder and egg crystals reconstitute with water for a protein boost with morning oatmeal orScrambled eggs at the campsite.
- Freeze-dried produce - Companies like Harvest Right freeze dry fruits, veggies, herbs, and more to create healthy stand-ins for fresh counterparts. Simply add hot water to rehydrate.
Additional Essential Non-Perishable Camping Foods
Fill remaining space in the cooler with an assortment of the following imperishable food staples:
- Oils - Transport olive, avocado, coconut, grapeseed or vegetable oils for cooking along with non-stick sprays to minimize cleanup.
- Vinegars - Balsamic, red wine, rice vinegar and apple cider vinegars help build flavorful camp dressings, marinades, and recipes.
- Honey and maple syrup - A touch of sweetness energizes weary hikers and campers. These natural sugars also substitute for traditional granulated sweeteners.
- Whole grains - Packets of precooked rice, quinoa, farro, and instant oatmeal provide filling fiber to start days right.
- Spices and seasonings - Transport small reusable containers of salt, pepper, dried onion and garlic, Italian blend, cumin, paprika, chili powder and more.
Safe Food Handling and Storage for Camping Success
Employ smart strategies for transporting and storing food items while camping to avoid spoilage, contamination, and attraction of unwanted critters.
Pack Strategically
Organize items strategically based on required storage conditions and intended use:
- Cooler for meats, dairy, fresh fruits and veggies
- Pantry totes for room temperature shelf-stable items
- Bear bag hung from tree for scented items (or bear canister where required)
Prepare Campsite Safely
Follow best practices upon selecting your camp location:
- Choose a flat, shaded area to establish "kitchen"
- Create designated hand cleaning and dishwashing stations
- Ensure cooking/eating surfaces remain separate from sleeping quarters
- Properly store all items immediately after preparing/eating meals
Practice Diligent Hygiene and Food Safety
Meticulous cleaning prevents illness from germs and contamination:
- Wash hands frequently with soap and potable water before/after handling food
- Wash all produce thoroughly prior to consumption
- Take inventory and cook oldest ingredients first
- Cook meats, poultry, fish and eggs thoroughly to safe internal temperatures
- Discard any perishable items if temperatures exceed 40F for over 2 hours
Utilize durable preserved and canned food options alongside smart storage and handling practices for safe, nutritious camp cuisine all trip long!
FAQs
Why choose canned foods for camping?
Canned options are lightweight, non-perishable, require minimal tools/prep and retain comparable nutritional value to fresh versions making them ideal for portable camp cooking.
What are some great canned proteins for camping?
Some smart canned protein picks include tuna, salmon, sardines, shredded chicken and beans, which all pack plenty of protein to fuel campers' muscles and appetite.
Which canned fruits and veggies work well for camping?
Mandarin oranges, mixed fruit cups, applesauce, beets, and chickpeas provide convenient nutrient-dense fruity and veggie options able to be enjoyed without refrigeration while camping.
What other non-perishable camping foods should I pack?
In addition to canned goods, cured meats, nut butters, vacuum-packed seafood, powdered milk/eggs, freeze-dried produce, oils, vinegars, sweeteners, grains, and spices complete well-rounded camping meals.
How do I safely handle and store camping food?
Strategically organize cooling, non-perishable and scented items. Designate clean cooking/eating spaces away from sleeping areas. Wash hands/produce thoroughly and cook items to proper temperatures for safety.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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