Are you familiar with the primal blueprint (PB) diet developed by Mark Sisson, a top athlete and fitness expert? The diet emphasizes the importance of including raw and minimally processed foods in our diet, for maximum health benefits.
While a specialized diet like this one may be easy to follow at home, many might wonder if it is feasible for your adventure-filled camping and trekking weekends.
The Primal Blueprint Diet
The PB diet is based on the foods that our primitive ancestors may have had and typically includes vegetables, fruits, nuts, unpasteurized dairy and cooked meat. What’s left out are packaged and processed foods like chips, cookies and all foods that are categorized as junk food.
The PB diet leaves out processed foods with the intention of reducing sugar intake, which can eventually lead to positive results like regulated blood sugar levels and weight loss.
Camping With the Primal Blueprint Diet
If you are an avid camper, you’ll be aware of the lack of options when it comes to healthy and tasty camping food. In most instances, you are left with foods high in carbs or sugary foods that may provide a temporary boost of energy only to cause a drop eventually. So, is there a healthier option when it comes to camping foods?
Fortunately, there are numerous DIY PB diet options that you could prep from home and cook at your campsite. Before we explore the food options, here is a list of items you may want to carry on a camping trip:
- Camping stove
- Lighter
- Cooler for produce/meat/eggs
- Skillets (preferably cast iron) and at least one saucepan
- Spatulas (metal or wood)
- One or more knives
- Cutting board(s)
- A jug for water
- Hand towels
- Utensils, plates and bowls
- Trash bags
While you may be able to find some good pre-packaged camping foods like dehydrated eggs and chili, it may be healthier and tastier to make your own with homemade dehydrated vegetables, spices and meats.
Here are a few tips from the PB diet guru himself and others who follow the diet diligently:
- Eggs for breakfast, lunch or anytime of the day (boiled, poached or however you like them)
- Dehydrated vegetables and fruits (it is easy to make your own)
- Dried berries, apples, vegetable chips made from sweet potatoes or parsnips, sun-dried tomatoes and herbs and spices.
- Hobo packs: meats, fish, vegetables and spices wrapped in layers of aluminum foil and cooked over hot coals
- Fresh vegetables in vacuum packs
- Dried meats like jerky
- Dried and powdered eggs
- All-natural trail mixes with your favorite nuts, seeds and fruits
- Nut butters and apples for a quick energy boost
If you are adventurous and have enough knowledge about gathering your own food from the wild, you could pick your own wild berries and mushrooms to cook with, but only if you know what you are picking is safe for you. You may also carry a few of the carb-heavy camping foods for emergencies, but according to followers of the PB diet, it is possible to go camping without deviating from the diet plan.
So, if you are already on the PB diet or plan to go on it and also want to enjoy your weekend in the wild, make sure you pack delicious foods that can keep you full and provide energy as you hike and trek through the weekend.
References
Tips for Paleo & Primal Camping. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.forageddish.com/blog/2014/9/22/paleo-primal-camping-tips
Primal Camping Meals: Weekend “Car Camping” Edition. (2018, August 14). Retrieved from https://www.marksdailyapple.com/paleo-camping-meals/
Low Carb Trail Food. (2014, March 27). Retrieved from https://www.marksdailyapple.com/primal-trail-food/