Hunting season is here! For many that means weekend hunting trips that include getting up really early when all is still and quiet, sitting in a tree stand for hours, and bonding with friends. While I’m not a hunter, I know people who are. One thing they mention frequently is that they would like to eat healthier while on their trip. They say they end up eating is a lot of junk foods because it’s convenient.
Planning and preparation is key! Don’t just throw easy junk food into your bag. That junk food probably has a lot of sodium and little nutrition.
For snacks, check out my past blog post about health snacks to get you through the day (after a nutritious breakfast, of course). Try to find foods that combine carbs, protein, fats and fiber. Carbs and fats give the body energy (immediate and long term, respectively), protein helps regulate the release of that energy and fiber helps to keep you full.
Here are some examples: sliced fruit and reduced fat cheese, dried fruits and nuts, rice cakes with reduced fat peanut butter, low fat string cheese and whole wheat crackers.
For meals, warm foods would be nice. Think chilies prepared with items labeled “low sodium” and lean meats. Check out my past blog about healthy chilies and soups. Make them ahead and simply reheat when ready to eat. If you really don’t want to or can’t, you don’t have to reheat since everything should be cooked already. The great thing about recipes with beans is that they are considered a protein AND a vegetable! Talk about killing two birds with one stone!
What other ideas do you have for healthy snacks/meals? Hope those of you venturing out into the woods get THE BIG ONE… or at least see something. Good Luck!