We’re getting into expedition planning season, and one of the critical elements of a great camping trip is good food.
If you’re looking to add a little creativity to your diet or save money, try planning your own menu based on foods you can find in your pantry or at the grocery store. This is the way we plan food for most NOLS courses (tips from NOLS Backcountry Cooking).
Follow these 5 steps to plan the menu for your next camping trip!
1. Determine how many meals you will need.
Before you can plan a menu, you have to consider how long you will be on your trip. Will you eat breakfast at home before you leave, or will you need to pack up a hasty breakfast to eat in the car or on the bus?
Planning ahead like this helps make sure you don't miss any meals and bring the right amount of food.
2. Decide which food you'd like to eat at each meal.
Figure out the meals you want, then plan backwards and list out all the ingredients you need for those meals. This will help you see any foods that will overlap between meals (such as cheese), and make sure you don't miss any key ingredients (don't forget the spice kit!).
This is also a good time to consider the order when you'll eat these meals. For example, if you want to pack a fresh lime to liven up your rice and beans, plan to have that meal earlier in the trip.
Planning your food combinations ahead of time will also ensure that you get proper nutrition each day. (You can get some recipe ideas from the NOLS Blog and the NOLS Cookery)
3. Estimate the amount of food you will need at each meal to feed everyone in your group.
How hungry will everyone be? Appetites may vary based on preference, the weather, and how strenuous the activity is for each person. Planning portions involves a little guesswork, but at NOLS, we follow some general guidelines based on weather and activity level:
- Short trips, mild weather, leisurely pace (think low-mileage, weekend hiking or car camping): 1-1.5 pounds per person per day. This should get each person roughly 2,000-3,000 calories each.
- Cooler weather, moderately strenuous (think a longer backpacking trip): 1.75-2.0 pounds per person per day. This should get each person roughly 3,000-3,500 calories each.
- Cold weather, more strenuous (think carrying heavy packs in spring or fall weather): 2.0-2.5 pounds per person per day. This should get each person roughly 3,500-4,500 calories each.
- Very cold weather, very strenuous (think winter camping): 2.0-2.5 pounds per person per day. This should get each person roughly 4,000-5,000 calories each. (This much food is not usually required for shorter trips).
Carrying the right amount of food is critical for avoiding food stress as well as carrying unnecessary items.
4. Make a list and go shopping.
Use the weights on the product’s packaging to determine how much weight per serving you need. If you’re repackaging at home from a bulk purchase, your own measuring cups will help you estimate portions (again, this is not an exact science).
“Shopping” should start in your own kitchen. You'll probably find many of the basics, such as oil and seasonings, in your own pantry.
6. Repackage, prep, and pack your food
Repackaging food is great way to determine portion sizes ahead of time, avoid carrying trash that you’ll have to pack out when the trip is over, and make sure that everything is in a durable, easy-to-pack container.
Pasta boxes, for example, take up a lot of room in a pack. NOLS often uses durable plastic bags to repackage food, since they're waterproof and easy to repurpose as food gets eaten.
Make sure to label food that’s easy to mix up. You can even pre-mix meals or snacks, like brownie mix or instant oatmeal with dried fruit.
Good luck on your menu planning and eat well on your next trip, no matter where your adventure takes you!
Get an inside look at the NOLS ration:
