Top 11 Plant-Based Must-Haves for Your Camping Foods List

Preparing for a camping trip can be overwhelming when you have to consider equipment, clothing, and food. Let’s take out the stress of planning your meals and provide you with a convenient, healthy, and practical plant-based camping foods list to use this summer. Read further to see how you can use these plant-based must-haves in perfect camping meals. 

Top 11 Plant-Based Foods to Include in Your Camping Foods List:

1. Canned beans and legumes

• Easy to use and versatile, beans and legumes provide a base for classic camping meals. They are packed with not only protein and fibre but are also a good source of iron, making them a great plant-based option.

2. Nut butter

• Spread this non-perishable camping staple on bread or wraps to create a sandwich or roll-up. It can be mixed into oatmeal at breakfast or eaten as a dip with fruit. 
• Choose nut butter made from whole nuts, which will provide a great source of fibre and help to keep your bowel movements regular. 

3. Nuts and seeds

• Small but nutritiously mighty, nuts and seeds are a go-to for all plant-based campers. They are portable and make for a nutrient-dense snack or meal addition. Nuts and seeds contain heart-healthy fats and are packed with the minerals zinc and magnesium. 

4. Oats

• Oats are perfect on any camping foods list for a filling and nutritious breakfast. They can also be prepared ahead of time in energy bites or oat muffins. 
• As a source of soluble fibre, oats not only help keep you feeling satisfied for longer, but have also been shown to help lower cholesterol. 

5. Fruit

• Include fruit on your list for a healthy and refreshing camp snack. Both fresh and dried fruits provide a variety of vitamins and minerals. 
• Fresh fruits, such as oranges, contain many vitamins but are particularly high in vitamin C
• Easy to eat fresh fruits include apples, oranges, and berries and cherries packed in containers.
• Add dried fruits such as apricots to trail mix or sprinkle onto oatmeal for a boost of vitamin A. 

5. Pasta and bread

• Use pasta as an easy base for a filling meal. This camping staple can be cooked ahead of time and packed cold or cooked just before eating. 
• Bread can be used for sandwiches or fold a slice in half and use as a veggie dog bun!
• Pasta and bread are great sources of energy for active campers. Choose whole grains for additional fibre and vitamins such as B and E. 

6. Nutritional yeast

• This food is considered a must-have in many recipes as a substitute for cheese. It provides a cheesy flavour to dishes such as burritos or tacos, pasta, and scrambled eggs. 
• Nutritional yeast is convenient for camping because it is shelf-stable- it does not require refrigeration to keep it safe to eat. 
• A fortified nutritional yeast is a great way to meet your vitamin B12 requirements and keep your nerves and body cells healthy. 

7. Pre-chopped vegetables 

• You can include a bag of pre-washed and chopped lettuce mix for an easy and convenient source of vegetables. 
• Pre-chopped vegetables can be added to most camping meals and reduce meal prep time 
• Vegetables provide fibre, vitamins, and minerals and should be included as part of a balanced meal. 

8. Tofu or tempeh

• These versatile plant-based proteins cook up within a few minutes, making them ideal for quick camping meals.
• Tofu and tempeh provide a great source of plant-based protein to keep you feeling full. 

9. Potatoes

• Whether they are small, large, sweet, or white, potatoes are a must-have plant-based food to bring on a camping trip. Potatoes can be used in many recipes and they provide a good source of fibre (make sure to eat the skins), potassium, and vitamin C. 

10. Sauces

• Sauces will add extra flavour to any meal! Think of packing salsa, mustard, ketchup, your favourite BBQ sauce and even smashed avocado can be used as a spread on sandwiches. 

Meals That Make the Mark for Camping

Listed below are some meal ideas that combine several of the plant-based foods on your new camping foods list. Try these out on your next trip!

Veggie Burritos or Tacos: Combine black beans, red lentils, or scrambled tofu as a protein source along with some of your favourite vegetables. Add nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavour and salsa for extra zing.

Kebabs: Place chunks of tempeh on a skewer along with mushrooms, peppers, and onions and roast over the fire. 

Pasta: Combine your favourite type of pasta with tomato sauce and lentils or black beans. Top with nutritional yeast and pair with a bagged salad.

Breakfast Oatmeal: Cook oats on a portable stove or over the fire and mix in nut butter or nuts and fruit for a filling and nutritious start to the day. 

Chickpea Sandwiches: Mash chickpeas with avocado and place between two slices of bread or in a wrap. Add a handful of the prepared lettuce mix for an easy-to-eat lunch. 

Tofu scramble: For a filling skillet breakfast, fry up crumbled tofu with nutritional yeast, salsa, black beans and potatoes. 

Veggie Hot Dogs: Keep it simple and roast veggie dogs over the fire for a traditional campfire favourite. Add your condiments and wrap in a bun or a slice of bread. 

S’mores: Don’t forget about dessert! Roast gelatin-free marshmallows over warm coals and pack between two chocolate covered graham crackers for a deliciously sweet treat. 

Before you create your next camping foods list, get out your paper and pen and write down these top 10 plant-based must-haves. Having these foods on hand will make your meals easier and provide the nutrition you need to feel your best while exploring the great outdoors! 

What are your must-have camping foods? Please share it below!

 

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