In the category of things you probably didn’t expect to find in a campervan, there is a small but perfectly formed kitchen. Just kidding! The tiny space that is the van kitchen won’t be of much use for anyone who can’t squeeze in some kind of compact appliances. There are many challenges to living in a campervan. For example, you can only store so many bulky items before it starts looking like something from Storage Hunters. And even if you could fit more stuff in there, there isn’t exactly space to cook it all in. That means we have to think smart when stocking up on food essentials. Everything needs to be convenient, lightweight and take up minimal storage space while still keeping us healthy and happy.
Cooking with a Twist
If you’re going to be living in a van, you have to be creative with your cooking. You can’t just throw a chicken breast on the BBQ, pan fry some steaks or even put a pizza in the oven. There’s no room for that kind of excess. Instead, you need to be creative with your cooking methods. There are plenty of ways to cook with a twist.
Smoky BBQ flavour: Throw some cherry wood chips into a smoking box or even just let them sit in a paper bag and then throw them on the coals. This will give your food that smoky BBQ flavour. Perfect for chicken wings, ribs or even just plain old mushrooms.
Blender burgers: A blender is the perfect piece of equipment for cooking in a campervan. You can use it for almost anything from making sauces, purees and even burgers. Just blend up a load of meat and add in some breadcrumbs, eggs and seasoning and voila! You have yourself a barbecue-ready burger.
Baking in a waffle maker: Yes, you can bake a cake in a waffle maker. Take the waffle maker out of the cupboard and put a cake or muffins in there. The waffle maker will turn into a mini oven and will be the perfect place to bake a cake. It’s a unique twist that will impress your friends and taste buds.
Nutrition Essentials
When living in a van, you need to make sure you keep up with your nutrition. After all, your diet is what fuels you to keep on trucking so you can have an amazing van life. You need to make sure you’re getting enough of the right nutrients to keep your body healthy and happy. Some of the essentials include:
Protein: This is essential for building and repairing the muscles in your body. It’s also great for your metabolism, making sure your body is burning those calories.
Carbohydrates: Great for providing your brain with the energy it needs to think, remember and function. If you don’t get enough of these, you’ll be left feeling a little zapped.
Fats: Excellent for providing you with the energy you need. They also help your body absorb the fat-soluble vitamins in your diet all while helping you maintain a healthy weight.
Fiber: So necessary for a healthy digestive system that helps to keep blood sugar levels stable and your cholesterol levels in check.
Vitamins and minerals: Great for boosting your immune system and helping you to stay healthy and happy.
Light and Fluffy Eggs
There are so many ways to eat eggs. They can be fried, scrambled, poached, boiled or even baked and turned into a cake. But when you have a small kitchen, you have to find a way to eat eggs that’s easy and quick. But there is one way to eat eggs in your campervan that’s quick and easy. The humble egg-in-a-hole is the perfect way to eat eggs in a small kitchen. This can be made in two ways. Option one is to cut a hole in your bread, pop an egg inside and then fry it up. Option two is to use a small cupcake tray and pop the bread in there with an egg inside and then bake it up.
Morning Shake-Up
When you think about the best vanlife ingredients for a morning shake, what ingredients come to mind? If you’re feeling a little tired and in need of a boost, you should make yourself a morning shake. This is such a great way to get those essential vitamins and minerals into your body. Plus, it’s a great way to start your day off on the right foot. Just add in some of your favourite superfoods like flaxseeds, greek yogurt or chia seeds. You can also throw in some protein powder. And don’t forget to add a bit of flavour with a splash of vanilla extract or a bit of cinnamon.
Filling Fresh Fruit
This is an easy way to add some vegetables and fruit to your diet. All you need to do is pop a piece of fruit into a bag and seal it shut. Then put the bags in the fridge and you’ll have fresh fruits that will last you a few days. This is a great way to keep on top of your vitamin intake. And it’s way easier than having to cut vegetables and fruits every day.
Solid Snack Options
There are plenty of ways to add some nutrition to your life while living in a van. And one of the best ways to do that is to snack throughout the day. There are plenty of options when it comes to snacking. You could go for dried fruits, nuts or even trail mix. You can also get creative and make your own homemade trail mix.
Something Sticky and Sweet
We’re all human and we all need a treat now and then. And when you’re living in a campervan, you need to be very careful about what you eat. You can’t go overboard on sugary snacks or fatty foods. So, when you need a little bit of sweetness in your life, make a batch of these chewy coconut cookies. They’re sweet, sticky and packed with plenty of healthy ingredients. You can also put whatever you like in these tasty treats. You could add in some dried fruits, nuts or even seeds. Whatever you put in them, they will be a perfect tasty treat to bring some sweetness into your vanlife.
Get Creative
When living in a campervan, you have to be creative with your cooking methods and ingredients. So, make sure that you stock up on the best vanlife ingredients to keep you healthy and happy. There are plenty of ways to eat well in a small kitchen. You just need to be creative and you’ll be living large in no time. For more information, insights and inspiration for living your best vanlife, follow us on Facebook