Welcome back, RVers. We hope everyone had an amazing New Year. Now is the time to start preparing those New Year’s Resolutions that we’ll all stick to this time. If you haven’t already read our post on RV resolutions, go do that now for some neat ideas if you’re stumped.

Still aren’t able to decide on a resolution? Why not strive to stay healthy while you’re out camping this year? Sure, it can be difficult. But with a little planning and dedication, you’ll make this year the best one yet because you’ll feel great. Below, we’ve put together some ideas on how to eat healthy while camping. Let us know your secrets for staying healthy in the comments. Happy eating!

1. Prep, prep, prep.

   This is probably the most important step to staying healthy when you’re camping. It’s crucial to making sure you have enough to eat on your trip and grabbing something to chomp on last minute more than likely won’t be an option. Make a list of absolutely everything you’ll need, then make another list of when you’ll eat it. So maybe a breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, dinner, snack, repeat tomorrow idea. It might seem extensive, I know, but it’ll really help when you come back from that two-mile hike…An Excel spreadsheet may be your best friend here.

2. Use a dehydrator to dehydrate everything

   . If you camp several times throughout the year, you might already have one, but investing in a dehydrator will take the load off of your packing weight. You can dehydrate chopped veggies and cook them over a campfire with water and you’ve got a hearty vegetable soup for dinner. You can also dehydrate fruits to snack on throughout the day, and don’t forget to make some jerky beforehand!

3. Water, water, and more water! 

   Staying hydrated is absolutely crucial when you’re camping, and running out can be completely disastrous. The only negative thing about water is that it’s pretty heavy, but you can plan around that. It’s always a good idea to pack as much water as you can in your car, RV or motorhome, but the weight of it can really slow you down when you’re hiking or biking. To prevent that extra weight from having to come along with you, bring a water bottle with a built-in filter. Just fill up as needed each time you see a fresh spring.

4. Keep up with your exercise routine.

   This is hard enough to do when you’re not camping, but it’s so essential to staying healthy and will help you choose the right foods when it’s time to eat. It’s incredibly easy to fall out of a routine and much more difficult to pick it back up. Just be sure to pencil in a few minutes every day to exercise. Your hikes and bike rides can definitely be your workout for the day, but if you take a day to relax at the campsite, get your kids to join in on some jumping jacks, jump rope and other stationary exercises!

5. Pack more than enough energy bars wherever you go.

   Anytime you leave your campsite, take a few energy or granola bars with you. You never know when your stomach will start to rumble! At the store, look for the brands that use whole grains, raw nuts, fried fruits and a low sugar.

6. Pack some raw veggies. 

   Just because you’re camping doesn’t mean you can’t have a hot, healthy meal. Vegetable, aluminum foil and seasoning. Chop them up, wrap them in foil and toss them on the fire for a quick, low-key and healthy meal. To make it even easier, pack vegetables that don’t need to be refrigerated to stay fresh. Onions, potatoes, tomatoes and squash are some tasty options.

7. Pack lots of grains.

   Quinoa, rice and millet are great options. They’re ready in a snap and they’re full of carbs which will give you energy. They’re also so versatile that you can squeeze them into breakfast, lunch or dinner. And don’t forget about pasta! It gets a bad rep because pasta is so full of heavy carbs, but if you choose whole grain or enriched pasta, you won’t feel too guilty eating it. With grains, the meal possibilities are endless!

8. You can pack items that need to stay cold, as long as you have a cooler and you eat them early in your trip. 

   Prepackaged foods like yogurt, cheese and lunch meats are great snacks as long as you eat them within a few days. You can even pack some eggs with you. You can also pack other fruits and veggies like carrots, apples and oranges which give you the vitamins and minerals you need.

9. Freeze bottles of water to keep your food cold

   Ice works, but frozen water bottles act as coldness and they can be consumed when they melt. This saves quite a bit of space in your cooler!

10. Don’t forget the bug spray!

    We know this isn’t really under the topic of eating healthy, but…  This is one that some people might overlook when they’re packing essentials for their weekend trip. Bugs carry a ton of diseases and one bite could ruin the trip for you. When buying a repellant, be sure to find the ones that contain DEET. These are the most effective but they tend to contain harsh chemicals. If this worries you, just opt for DEET free sprays.

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