Expert Q&A

Any of you low carb, low to no fruits people go camping? Even if not, what are you eating for people with insulin resistance

Why Low Carb Works for Insulin Resistance While Camping

I've helped thousands navigate insulin resistance through my structured low-carb methodology. When blood sugar spikes are your enemy, especially amid hormonal changes in your 40s and 50s, eliminating most fruits and focusing on protein and healthy fats stabilizes glucose without the overwhelm of complex meal plans. Camping doesn't have to derail this—it's actually simpler than daily life because you control every item you pack.

Traditional camping foods like s'mores, granola bars, and fruit-heavy trail mix are out. Instead, prioritize foods that keep insulin low while providing steady energy for hikes that may feel impossible with joint pain. My approach emphasizes meals under 20 net carbs daily, which has helped clients managing diabetes and blood pressure lose weight without gym schedules or expensive programs insurance won't cover.

Essential Low Carb Camping Foods to Pack

Focus on shelf-stable, lightweight options. Pack hard cheeses like cheddar or parmesan (zero carb, high fat), beef jerky with no added sugar (check labels—aim for 5g carbs or less per serving), and canned tuna or salmon in oil. For breakfast, bring eggs (if you can keep them cool in a small cooler) or powdered egg whites. Nuts like macadamias and pecans offer crunch with minimal carbs—about 2-4g per ounce.

Avoid all fruits except small portions of berries if your tolerance allows; most with insulin resistance do better with zero. Instead, use pork rinds for "chips" and pair with guacamole packets. Pre-cook bacon or sausage at home and reheat over the fire. These choices address past diet failures by being satisfying and anti-inflammatory, reducing joint discomfort on the trail.

Sample Daily Meal Plan for a 3-Day Camping Trip

Breakfast: Cheese and salami roll-ups with a few olives (under 5g carbs). Lunch: Tuna salad made with mayo packets on pork rinds. Dinner: Grilled steak or chicken thighs (pre-marinated in herbs, no sugar) with asparagus spears cooked in foil over the fire. Snacks: A handful of almonds or a stick of string cheese. This keeps total carbs around 15-20g, preventing blood sugar crashes that sabotage weight loss.

Hydrate aggressively—add electrolytes to water since low carb reduces water retention. For evening s'mores cravings, try a square of 90% dark chocolate with peanut butter. These strategies have worked for my clients who felt embarrassed about obesity and overwhelmed by conflicting advice.

Practical Tips for Success on the Trail

Use a small cooler with ice packs for perishables the first two days. Dehydrate your own low-carb meals like chili without beans using a home dehydrator. Track ketones with simple urine strips if you're new to this—many see results in energy and reduced joint pain within days. Remember, consistency beats perfection. Start with one successful trip to rebuild trust after failed diets. My CFP Weight Loss method shows that sustainable change comes from simple, repeatable habits like these, even in the woods.

💬 What the Community Says

Campers with insulin resistance report mixed success with strict low-to-no fruit approaches on trips. Many appreciate the steady energy from cheese, jerky, and nuts, noting fewer blood sugar swings compared to past high-carb outings. A common theme is packing pre-cooked proteins and using coolers for eggs and meats the first few days. Some debate berries versus zero fruit, with a vocal group insisting even small amounts stall progress during hormonal shifts. Joint pain sufferers often share that lighter packs and anti-inflammatory fats make hiking more manageable. Beginners frequently mention label-reading struggles with packaged meats and the embarrassment of explaining their food needs around others. Overall, most find it doable with planning but warn against overcomplicating—simple fire-grilled options win out over elaborate recipes. A minority still struggle with evening cravings and report better adherence using meal-prep hacks from home.
Clark, R. (2026). Any of you low carb, low to no fruits people go camping? Even if not, what are y. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/any-of-you-low-carb-low-to-no-fruits-people-go-camping-even-if-not-what-are-you-eating-for-people-with-insulin-resistance
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
Can we talk about the founder: how to talk to your doctor about this Same Workout Until it becomes Zone 2 — what does the research actually say? So if you're spacing out your shots - what are y'all doing with extra injectors — what most people get wrong about this Does anyone else just....not thermoregulate and how it connects to gut health and inflammation How To Speed Up Your Metabolism After 40 during the weight loss plateau phase Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's 📖 Metabolic Efficiency — The state where your body processes fuel cleanly and maintains high energy levels without the need for constant snacking… Post menopausal bleeding — how a functional medicine approach differs Can anyone help me lose my overweight ?? 30F, 75kgs, 5’7”? What I learnt as a physician about having Hashimoto for myself and what helped on a low-carb or ketogenic diet Safest type of fiber while doing intermittent fasting 📖 Metabolic Reset — The process of retraining your body to utilize stored fat for fuel and regulating hunger hormones so you can maintain yo… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Getting the run around or I just do not have PCOS ? Estradiol Cypionate- I’ve been underdosing- what dose are you at for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Does anyone have ant literature or knowledge on autophagy and loose skin and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📖 CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) — An outdated model of weight loss that ignores the role of hormones; we challenge this by focusing on food quality and ho… Should i really be aiming for 45 zone 2 minutes per day for fat loss and the role of cortisol and stress hormones New menopause symptom, deep intense chills anyone — evidence-based answer for CFP patients Vomited at new dose, will it happen again next week — evidence-based answer for CFP patients What about oxalates — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 Inflammatory Markers — Clinical indicators like CRP that we monitor to ensure the body is moving from a state of disease to a state of vibrant … E Patch to Injections how long did you leave your patch on: what to track and how to measure progress What's a good Soy Sauce alternative for Asian Cuisine — what does the research actually say? What keto plus compounded tirzepatide for the last five months looked like: best practices and common mistakes to avoid 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Is compounded semaglutide with B12 worth choosing over B6 or plain — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? 📖 Tirzepatide — A dual-acting medication targeting both GLP-1 and GIP receptors, providing a more comprehensive metabolic signal than si… One avocado a day? What's up with that? Does anyone remember if the good doctor ever gave us an explanation for that: how to talk to your doctor about this Can we stop posting good glucose levels and pretending they are bad: how to talk to your doctor about this Is it even worth it anymore — what does the research actually say? 📖 Anti-Inflammatory Protocol — A way of eating that prioritizes whole foods and eliminates triggers to quiet the internal 'fire' that prevents fat cell… E Patch to Injections how long did you leave your patch on — how a functional medicine approach differs Can’t stand avocados or guacamole. Help: what to track and how to measure progress What a month of paleo has done for me while doing intermittent fasting Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances Anyone use an auto injector for the compounded med: what to track and how to measure progress WHO: don’t touch your face it’ll spread coronavirus. *Diabetics who lick their finger after a finger prick and how it connects to gut health and inflammation 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Can anyone share a good shopping list — how a functional medicine approach differs 📖 High-Dose Dependency — The pharmaceutical trap of staying on maximum medication doses indefinitely, which we avoid through our smart cycling me… 2.5 mg no longer working. Move to 3.5 for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) For those that struggled with side effects, have you been able to space out your doses successfully — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend? How should I go about asking my doc? Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented — what does the research actually say? How it looks when you lose 170 lbs. but are still a fat man — what most people get wrong about this How I'm greeted most mornings on a low-carb or ketogenic diet When people ask how I can tell my sugar's low and the role of cortisol and stress hormones 📖 GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) — A hormone that, when combined with GLP-1, enhances the body’s ability to break down fat and manage blood sugar levels mo… Can we talk about the founder for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's App that can predict symptoms before they get bad and how it connects to gut health and inflammation 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get Russell's complete protocol → Feeling fatter once having started my restrictive diet? How I feel when tempted to get fast food during finals week — evidence-based answer for CFP patients Started at 270 pounds at the beginning of last year, at the end I was 179 pounds! How do I look for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's Has Dr. Gundry spoken about the vaccine — what most people get wrong about this Le mounjaro peut il se conserver au frigo if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide 📖 The Clark Protocol — Our evidence-based framework that combines clinical nurse practitioner expertise with personal experience to solve the o… Why I have to be so strict with my paleo regime if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide Le mounjaro peut il se conserver au frigo — what most people get wrong about this DO NOT TAKE INOSITOL IF YOU'RE NOT INSULIN RESISTANT when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances Are people fear mongering when they say compound pharmacies are dangerous: best practices and common mistakes to avoid Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented — what most people get wrong about this