On my last trip, I decided to road trip out West to visit a few of the microbreweries in Fort Collins and Boulder, Colorado. I also decided to camp instead of taking residence up in a hotel. In early October, the weather is still mild enough for camping and the trees are at the peak of their fall foliage – and with a mountainous back drop it made the local area beautiful which is why I chose to go during that time of year. However, as always when camping, the issue of food came up.

I wanted to have quick and easy foods to prepare for meals, but I also needed to have good nutritious snacks to tote along. I didn’t want to have to drive into town every time I needed something to eat or have to build a full-blown fire each time I wanted food. So using some prior know how and some newly found products online, I compiled a list of great foods to take on my trip:

Trail Mix
Trail mix is an easy snack to whip up that can be a great energy packed treat. Before you head out, simply mix together some of your favorite nuts and dried fruits, toss in some M&Ms if you are like me and need your chocolate fix, and divide the mix up into several Ziploc bags. This way you’ll be able to grab the right portion whenever you need it.

Freeze Dried Meals
When most of us think of freeze dried meals, we think of unpalatable freeze dried food that vaguely resemble chicken Parmesan or macaroni and cheese. However, nowadays there are several brands, such as Prepare Wise, that actually make great tasting meals and snacks such as spicy corn chowder to rice pilaf. An additional perk to freeze dried meals, is that they are lightweight and produce no smell, making them easy to tote around and keep safe from animals.

Protein Bars
Protein bars are always something that I try to keep in my pack or purse. You never know when you aren’t going to have access to a good meal as sometimes rain makes starting a fire impossible or you just start feeling weak while hiking about. By keeping a protein bar on me, I am able to keep my body nourished when I need it to be. Some of my personal favorite are Cliff and Luna bars. They come in great flavors and are generally low in sugar and made with natural ingredients.

Dried fruits and dark chocolate bars with almonds in them also make great take along snacks that can give you an extra boost when you need it. Not only were these items great for camping, but they also gave me something to munch on while I made the drive out there, which was good because drive-thru items generally leave me feeling bogged down and tired. Don’t be afraid to prepare food to take with you on the open road. They will leave you feeling better, and satiate your hunger without leaving you feeling like you are missing out on something. They will also save you money so that you have a little something leftover to spend on your next adventure.

Consideration has been given for this post, brought to you by Amanda Green.