Following a vegan diet is beneficial in so many ways! According to the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, people who eat a vegan diet have lower rates of cancer, lower cholesterol and blood pressure levels and fewer instances of obesity.

The health benefits of eating vegan are wonderful, amazing and fantastic! BUT, in all reality, planning meals for a long vegan camping trip may have its challenges. If you have access to a grill or fire pit, you can make pretty much anything you would at home on a stove. If all you have is a cooler, your options will need to require minimal refrigeration.

First, food safety and avoiding food poisoning is top priority!   

Second, you need enough energy to get you through the camping trip, and possibly a hike or two and some swimming. In fact, these Post-Workout Vegan Foods will improve muscle recovery to ensure a good camping vacation. 

Here are some tips to keep your camping trip energized and plant-strong!

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

• Pack some of your favorite fresh fruits and veggies that tend to travel well and do OK at room temperatures, like apples, oranges, pears, bell peppers, mushrooms, brussel sprouts, asparagus, corn, onion, and avocados. Room temp foods will save space in your cooler for other meals where refrigeration is a must. Also, pack some fresh veggies for the grill.

• Dried fruit, either store-bought or homemade, is another great option since it’s energy dense.

• Potatoes (white or sweet) for breakfast hash browns or diced pots for lunch or dinner.

GRAINS

• Quinoa

• Prepare little baggies of pre-portioned vegan overnight oats (chia, oats, dried fruit, cinnamon, a bit of granulated sweetener) and mix them up just before breakfast. It wouldn’t be cold necessarily, but it works in a pinch. Or you could simply serve granola with dairy-free milk!

• A variety of wraps, breads, and buns.

• Granola or muesli — either store-bought (which likely has a lesser need to be refrigerated) or homemade recipes.

• Homemade bars and muffins travel beautifully.

PROTEIN

• Canned or boxed organic beans (just don’t forget the can opener).

• Chickpeas for salad

• Nuts and trail mix

• Nut butter (make some PB & J’s for hikes)

• Hummus or tahini with crackers and veggies to dip

• Black Bean burger (dry ingredients are non-perishable)

• Tofu for a yummy breakfast tofu scramble.

FATS

• Avocado

• Oil for cooking

• Butter stick

OTHER

• Ketchup, mustard, vegan mayo

• Pack single-serve, non-refrigerated plant-based milks available at some grocery stores.

I recommend eating the most perishable items first.

I hope this helps get the wheels turning, and you have a fantastic camping trip!

In Health and Happiness,

Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods