Which products are best suited for camping: the experts answer

Anyone who has ever gone camping knows that the question of what food to take with you is both one of the most exciting and scary aspects of the whole adventure.

When there is no working toilet nearby, the last thing you want is food poisoning. HuffPost writes about how to avoid it.

Nuts and dried fruits

There's a reason why hikers eat trail mix all the time - it's always available on the shelves and doesn't require refrigeration. "These are good options for storing in airtight containers in your backpack or picnic basket," said Tamika Sims, senior director of food technology communications at the International Food Information Council.

Crackers and granola

Similar to nuts and dried fruit, stable, non-perishable foods such as crackers, cookies, granola, raw pasta, and rice are good choices for camping. And powdered pancake mix is a good breakfast food.

Canned fish, meat and soup

Tuna and other canned fish or meat don't require refrigeration, making them good food for camping. The same goes for canned soup and beef.

"These foods have a long shelf life, and you don't have to worry about their temperature," said Kimberly Baker, a registered dietitian and director of the Food Systems and Safety Group at Clemson University.

Oranges.

Oranges and other fresh fruits are another good choice. They don't need refrigeration and often have thick peels for protection, Sims explained. Another benefit of packing fruits like oranges, bananas, and tangerines is that they don't need to be washed further after peeling, as long as your hands are clean.

Canned fruit

Canned peaches, fruit salad, and other canned fruit products are a great option for eating while camping, especially if you eat the entire can in one sitting so you don't need to refrigerate, Sims said. Just don't forget your can opener if it doesn't have a lid.

Dehydrated and freeze-dried foods

Dehydrated foods designed for traveling are some of the best foods for hiking, said Don Schaffner, a nutritionist and distinguished professor at Rutgers University.

Peanut butter

"Peanut butter is perfectly safe to store unrefrigerated, whether it has been opened or not," Schaffner said.