Campers Agree: This Tasty Tip Can Help You Stay Warm In Your Tent During Winter

For many of us, the best part of camping is the grub. And we've earned it, haven't we? Long drives, strenuous hikes, or long paddles — by the time we've set up our tent, we have likely covered many miles. A campfire is a natural gathering point. A sinking sun signals dinner. Now begins the fun: unwrapping buns, skewering sausages, placing cans of Chef Boyardee near the flames. Eating never felt so satisfying as when you're scooping well-earned stews beneath an open sky. Whether they're barbecuing a freshly caught fish on an iron grill or using this versatile kitchen staple to cook fun meals, campers often turn their outings into an excuse to eat whatever they want.

Well, here's a welcome surprise: You actually should eat high-calorie food while camping, not just to restore your energy and prepare you for more activity the next day, but to keep yourself cozy in cold weather. Most of us know that steaming drinks can warm us up on a winter evening, and tea and hot chocolate are a great idea as well. Yet, overnighters are wise to eat hearty meals full of fat and protein. "First thing is to realize no amount of clothing actually warms you — you[r] body warms you," remarked one commenter on a Reddit forum, "How do you stay warm when camping in cold weather?" The commenter went on: "You have to fuel it to keep warm which can mean extra calories before bed in winter."

The reasoning: Your body works harder to digest these ingredients, which keeps it active throughout the night. Dense foods can contribute to this "thermal effect," which can be a life-saver in winter. Camping in winter also burns more energy, so you have the added bonus of digesting and storing those fuel overnight.

So, what's for dinner, then? In another Reddit thread, "What kind of foods will help keep warm at night?", contributors had a wide range of suggestions. "Fat. Fat. Fat. Drink some flavored olive oil out of a cleaned out travel Listerine bottle right before hanging your food bag. Won't necessarily help you sleep because your body is working to digest it, but will help with warmth." Another added: "Winter also means you can carry pretty much any cheese without it getting weird, so that's another option for your bedtime snack." And a third chimed in: "Winter nights means — hot cocoa fortified with 2 or 3 tablespoons of dry milk and a big pat of butter."

What foods you bring with you can depend on the kind of camping you've planned. The easiest way to transport all these ingredients is by motor vehicle, which is a real benefit for RVers and car-campers. Driving means you can carry all the heavy cooking equipment you need, such as this trusted, versatile campsite cookware that is worth the extra weight. If you're hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, or bike-packing, you'll have to carry all your own food and cooking equipment, so you'll have to be more thoughtful about what you bring and how to prepare it.