Cold Weather Camping Food
Winter camping can be fun if you're the adventurous type, but keep in mind that camping in cold weather is much more challenging than warm weather camping. It's crucial to plan meals well in advance and to pack foods that, along with being lightweight and easy to carry, will also provide plenty of energy to help keep you warm.
Other People Are Reading
-
Breakfast
-
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, providing fuel for the activities ahead. Pack foods that can be prepared easily and quickly. Heat some milk or water and mix it with granola, Cream of Wheat, instant oatmeal, Tang, instant breakfast drinks or hot chocolate. Powdered milk is easy to pack and will add extra protein. A bit of margarine will add not only flavor, but necessary fats. Although carbs are important, go easy on sugar, which will provide only a temporary energy burst.
Lunch
-
Unless you're planning to stay put at the campsite for the day, avoid meals that require lengthy cooking, because standing around a campfire waiting for food to cook can cause campers to become chilled. A pot of water is easily heated on a portable stove. Mix the hot water with instant soup or pair it with a sandwich. Instant rice, potatoes or pasta will provide complex carbohydrates. The hot water can also be used for hot drinks, which will warm you up quickly.
-
Dinner
-
It's important to eat hot foods for dinner that will help you stay warm through a cold night. If you like spicy foods, peppers and hot spices will make you feel warmer. Try comforting one-dish meals such as a bowl of steaming hot chili, beef stew, a cup of beans with sliced weenies or some instant macaroni and cheese. Be sure to include plenty of protein, which will release food energy slowly and help to keep you warm through the night.
Snacks
-
Pack a few healthy snacks that can be eaten on the go, stave off hunger and provide energy until dinner. Plan ahead and mix up some small bags of gorp with a variety of ingredients such as nuts, raisins, M&Ms, coconut, sunflower seeds, chocolate chips or dried berries. Pack some peanut butter and cheese on crackers or a few bagels, brownies or cookies.
Fluids
-
Staying well hydrated is essential in cold weather, so plan to drink at least two quarts of liquid per day. Carry a bottle of water in the center of your backpack to keep it from freezing. Eating hot beverages and soups will help to provide necessary fluids. If you like coffee, stick to decaffeinated coffee because caffeine is a natural diuretic that will promote unwanted fluid loss.
-
