Camping & Road Trip Snacks: Easy, Protein-Packed Ideas
Summer vacations mean outdoor hikes, scenic drives, and nights spent sleeping under the stars. And whether you’re planning a road trip or campout this summer, you’ll need a solid arsenal of snacks to keep you fueled up on your adventures.
But you likely won’t have access to refrigeration on your journey, and most shelf-stable foods aren’t known for their high nutritional value. Luckily, Wellshire offers easy, portable, protein-filled snacks—like uncured bacon and whole foods hot dogs—to keep you full and moving.
Explore the best travel-friendly meat products to bring on your summer vacation and how to whip up a few clean, easy, and nutritious snacks along the way.
Why Shelf-Stable Foods are Key on Campouts and Road Trips
While you might pack a cooler for your road trip or campout, soon enough, the ice will melt and you’ll be left with a room-temperature box.
This is why it’s also important to bring along shelf-stable foods that won’t spoil when exposed to heat. But what does shelf-stable mean, exactly?
Shelf-stable food:
- Won’t go bad if it’s left unrefrigerated and at room temperature
- Only needs to be chilled after opening (if at all)
- Can last on the shelf (or in your car) until its expiry date if the packaging is intact
Now, when you think of shelf-stable foods, you might first envision dried products like crackers, chips, and raisins—not meats. If you do think of meat, you’re probably thinking about canned products with excessive amounts of salts and nitrates. Thankfully, Wellshire knows that shelf stability doesn’t have to mean heavy processing and artificial additives.
The Best Shelf-Stable Meats for Your Vacation
Taking meat with you on your road trip or campout means access to protein, which can be hard to get with shelf-stable foods. Protein, however, is necessary to fuel your body, repair damaged tissues, and power key bodily processes like your immune system response.
So, when you set out on your adventures this summer, don’t leave the protein-packed meals behind! Pack shelf-stable, delicious Wellshire products like:
- Fully Cooked Uncured Bacon Bits – These gluten-free bacon bits are all-around crowd-pleasers. You can eat them straight from the bag! They pack all the savory, rich flavor of freshly cooked bacon with none of the work or mess.
- Fully Cooked Chicken and Turkey Bacon – Chicken bacon and turkey bacon offer much of the same delicious flavor as pork varieties, but their shelf-stable preparation makes them far superior for long drives and nights in the woods.
Shelf-stability is important for extended trips, but variety is also key to enjoyment. What kind of fresh meat products can you pack to supplement your sizzling bacon?
Other Easy, Nutritious Snacks for Camping and Road Trips
While shelf stability means meat for days (even without refrigeration), campouts and road trips require more fuel than bacon alone. When you’re packing up the car to head out, don’t forget to take a cooler full of:
- Uncured Beef Franks– A hot dog on a stick, carefully charred over an open flame, is a rite of passage for any camper. Beef franks offer unparalleled juiciness and flavor, but will go off without refrigeration, so be sure to cook them all on day one to avoid spoilage.
- Cold cut sandwiches – While deli meats won’t last forever at room temperature, they’ll remain delicious and tender for a day when stored alongside an ice pack. Whip up a few sandwiches using uncured black forest ham, smoked turkey breast, or another cold cut for a convenient, protein-packed meal on the go.
- Liverwurst – Liverwurst is a kind of pâté made from pork liver. It has a rich, decadent taste that pairs well with a variety of other flavors. Simply add it to sandwiches for a little extra flair or spread it on crackers for a quick, hearty snack.
Speaking of crackers, meat isn’t the only food you should bring on your camping or road trip. As important as protein is, it needs to be paired with carbohydrates, fats, and other nutrients for a complete, balanced diet.
Take a few accompaniments to spice up your bacon and other meats. A loaf of bread—which is often viable for a week or more at room temperature—is an easy way to add substance to meals on the road. Beyond bread, hardy fruits like apples, pears, and plums stay ripe for a long while without refrigeration.
Whichever treats you decide to bring on your adventure, consider how they’ll pair with the meats you’ve chosen. Then, stock up on Wellshire products to enjoy a delicious, convenient, and protein-packed vacation.
Wellshire’s Protein-Packed Snacks Are the Best Companion for Your Next Adventure
Summer road trips and campouts are the reason for the season—but getting nutritious, protein-filled food on the go can be a major challenge. Fortunately, with Wellshire’s fully cooked uncured bacon, whole foods hot dogs, and other delicious, meaty treats, you can eat balanced, clean meals without pit stops or refrigeration.
Wellshire’s products are all-natural, antibiotic-free, and 100% delicious. Find a store near you to browse your favorites or shop online for quick, convenient delivery before your next adventure.
Sources:
United States Department of Agriculture. Shelf-Stable Food Safety.
Harvard Health. High-protein foods: The best protein sources to include in a healthy diet.
