This is a great time to teach kids about the importance of having a healthy diet and exercise regimen. While you probably don’t have to go into great detail, you can talk about what kids should be eating while they are growing up at camp. If you want to start camping this summer and aren’t sure what to make for camp meals, here are some simple tips:
Most kids love the great outdoors, but that doesn’t mean that they need to run around eating all the time. In the beginning of summer camp, it was so fun to eat junk food, but soon realized that eating too many junk foods was negatively impacting on their bodies in different negative ways. For instance, some kids become more active because they crave sugar, salt, and fat. They didn’t want to eat, so they didn’t exercise. While it may sound good to say that you don’t need to do any exercise when you’re at camp, think about the long list of things that campers get to eat.
Grilled Sandwiches
Grilled sandwiches are a great way to start thinking about healthy camping food. Kids typically love tomatoes and onions, so if you grill up some tomatoes with onions and a bit of seasoning on the side, this is a great option for campers. There are a variety of grilled sandwiches available, including wheat bread and bagels, so if your children are in need of something quick, this is a great choice. Pair a grilled sandwich with some light rice or pasta for a complete meal that is also low in fat.
To make healthy camping food choices, your children might enjoy things like whole wheat pancakes, which can be grilled or fried to their liking. For a delicious breakfast food, consider making pancakes as part of your child’s healthy diet. Whole wheat pancakes are very tasty, and they’re easy to make in your own kitchen if you have a few extra ingredients on hand.
Chips
Another of the healthy camping food ideas mentioned above is chips. Many people have no idea how to choose healthy foods to eat, but healthy snacks like potato chips with low-fat milk are excellent options for snacks. Even young children can eat these foods, which means you don’t have to feel like you’re serving a full meal to them when they get hungry between hiking and camping trips. Don’t forget to pack some pretzels or crackers for an easy meal when you’re out in the wild. Pretzels in a package with low-fat milk and no cheese are always a hit.
Another thing to bring with you on your next camping trip is canned fruit. When you go canning your own fruits at home, you can be sure they are fresh and delicious. However, if you go canning your own fruits at home and you don’t know the brands, read the labels carefully. A few of the better brands, such as preserving and applesauce, have ingredients that can be good for you, such as potassium, beta carotene, and other vitamins and minerals. In addition, some canned fruit is made especially with nutritious, low-fat ingredients, so look for these flavors when purchasing your can.
Vegetables
Of course, another of the healthy camping snacks you can enjoy are vegetables. One of the best ways to enjoy your veggies while out in nature is to make a healthy bean salad. There are many different ways you can prepare a bean salad, depending on whether you have Brazilian or yellow beans. If you use frozen Brazilian beans, consider using parmesan cheese and shredded lettuce on top to add a little zest to your side dish. If you use fresh yellow beans, a spurt of black pepper and some tomato salsa will give you a healthy, delicious meal you can enjoy on your next camping trip.
Dried fruit is another healthy alternative to packing a bag and cooking in your car. Dried fruit is easily stored for several weeks; you can add fresh fruit right to your dinner in its original box when you return from your camping trip or freeze dried fruit to use throughout the rest of the summer.
Conclusion
Dried fruit comes in several varieties, including but not limited to, kiwi, strawberry, and pineapple. Dried fruit makes an excellent snack when camping because it is so easy to eat and there are so many varieties to choose from. Another alternative to dried fruit is to purchase trail mix, which can be eaten as a meal as well as a desert during your travels. Make sure to pack trail mix to mix up your camp food – or consider bringing a portable camping food taster with you.
