Why eating vegetarian food while camping is better for you
Being a vegetarian is a personal choice, and it’s not really the favorite diet of the majority of the population. But, along with all the health-related reasons for choosing a vegetarian diet, there are also some practical reasons that will make your camping easier and safer.
The vegetarians out there will agree on this right away, of course, but it will take a little more effort to try and get a sausage-lover to turn into a veggie while camping. Nobody’s trying to make you something that you’re not, but here are some of the aspects of campfire cooking that might be worth considering in a different light before your next trip.
Eating vegetarian is cheaper
It’s simple – meat is expensive! Especially if you are a conscious buyer who always looks for organic and humanely raised meat options. For the same amount of money that you would use to buy meat for a three-day camping trip, you can buy enough fruit and vegetables to last you for more than a week, and still have some money left over. You could easily have enough to buy pasta, rice, cocoa powder, dried fruits, oatmeal, eggs and more. Lowering the grocery bill before heading to the campsite is always a good thing, isn’t it?
Less refrigeration
Taking loads of meat on your camping trip means you need to have a some kind of cooling system and the means of running and maintaining it. Sealing everything in containers, packing enough ice, refilling it, and making sure you never leave anything out for too long are just some of the things that you will need to keep a track of, and thereby, complicating your stay in the wilderness.
You will need a cooler for some of the vegetarian food too, it’s true, but not for most of it. If you plan your meals wisely, it’s possible to leave your cooler back home. Another good thing is that you can never be poisoned by veggies like you can with meat.
Feel better
A diet is likely the last thing on your mind when camping. But eating hamburgers and hot dogs for a week won’t make you feel good either. Also, if you’re not a passionate hiker, you’ll probably get fat eating all that greasy food instead of getting the fitness benefits that a camp in the wilderness can bring. Most camping foods tend to be heavy, and that’s fine if you’re going to need a lot of energy on the trail. Even so, after a few days your stomach will get tired of it and you will yearn for something light come suppertime. So, having some veggie meals in your camping menu is not a bad idea. If you can’t live without a piece of steak for a week, then try to combine the foods you’re eating, but don’t focus only on a meat diet.
A lot of people say they feel better on the trail after eating an oatmeal banana breakfast than if they’d eaten fried sausages. If you’re not an oatmeal fan, you can make an omelet with cheese to satisfy your protein needs. Eggs are the best possible protein source, no matter if you are a vegetarian or a meat-eater. Eating two eggs in the morning will keep you going the whole day, your energy will be on a high level, and you won’t feel bloated.
These reasons alone should be enough to convince you to change your shopping list before the next camping trip. It will not only save you money and effort in preparing the food, but it will boost your health and energy, and you’ll look better. It might sound tough, but it’s worth trying. Good luck with the veggie camping experience!
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