What Food to Bring (and How KATO Helps You Stick to Keto)

At Red Sky, Surf Hunters, we know how hard it can be to stick to your Keto diet when you're away from home — especially when the campsite snacks start calling. That’s why we use the KATO method (Keep Always, Take Out) to plan our meals before every trip. Our Keto-friendly essentials — like eggs, cheese, no-sugar jerky, nuts, and MCT oil — fall under the "Keep" category and go with us on every outing. For the “Take Out” part, we rotate in extras like pre-cooked meats, avocado cups, and leafy greens based on cooler space and trip length. With a KATO-style checklist and a little prep, Red Sky, Surf Hunters makes staying low-carb in the wild feel effortless — and tasty.

Simple meals. Big adventures. Packed with purpose.

Kato Camping Grocery Checklist for Beginners

Proteins

☐ Hot Dogs  Keto 

  • Look for: Uncured, all-beef, nitrate-free, and no added sugar.

  • Avoid: Cheap brands with fillers like corn syrup, dextrose, or flour.

  • Pros: Fast, convenient, kid-friendly.

☐ Pre-Cooked Sausage  Keto 

  • Keto Approved: Choose no-sugar, high-fat varieties (e.g., chicken apple with no added sugar, kielbasa, or andouille).

    • Requires cold storage and reheating.

    • Higher protein + more filling for longer fishing trips.

  • Use: Toss into breakfast scrambles or grill whole.

☐ Canned or Pouch Tuna (Keto + KATO Friendly)

  • Keto Approved: Zero carb, high protein, and shelf-stable.

  • Best choice: Tuna in olive oil (adds fat), or add your own mayo.

    • Lightweight, long shelf life, perfect for no-cook meals.

  • Use: Tuna salad wraps (in lettuce or nori), mix into hard-boiled eggs, or eat straight from the pouch.

☐ Ground Beef  Keto  

  • Keto Approved: High-fat ground beef (70/30 or 80/20) is ideal for fueling low-carb energy needs.

  • Best Uses:

    • Foil packet meals with veggies (zucchini, peppers, mushrooms).

    • Keto chili with canned tomatoes, spices, and optional pre-cooked bacon.

    • Scrambles with eggs, cheese, and ground beef for breakfast or dinner.

  • Storage: Needs to stay cold or frozen until cooked.

  • Pro Tip: Pre-cook at home and vacuum-seal or freeze flat in zip bags for easier cleanup and cooler storage.

☐ Carton Eggs (Whole Shell Eggs)

  • Keto Approved: Natural, unprocessed, high in protein and fat.

  • Storage: Must stay cool; more fragile but better taste and texture.

  • Use: Scrambled, fried, foil packet breakfasts, or boiled ahead of time.

☐ Liquid Eggs (Carton or Pouch)

  • Keto Approved: Convenient, safer for travel, especially in RVs or cooler-heavy setups.

  • Storage: Requires refrigeration once opened.

  • Use: Easy for quick scrambles or mixed with sausage, cheese, and avocado.

 

 

☐ Bratwursts  Keto  

  • Look for: Pork or beef brats with simple ingredients (meat, fat, spices).

  • Avoid: Sweet apple or beer-infused versions that may contain sugars.

  • Pros: High fat, very filling, more flavor than hot dogs.

☐ Pre-Cooked Bacon  Keto 

  • Keto Approved: High fat, zero carb, shelf-stable (in vacuum-sealed packs).

    • Doesn't require refrigeration until opened.

    • Packs flat and cooks in seconds.

  • Use: Eat cold, reheat in a pan, or crumble into eggs or salad.

☐ Canned or Pouch Chicken Keto  

  • Keto Approved: High protein, zero carb, shelf-stable.

  • Best with: Add mayo, avocado, or MCT oil to up the fat.

    • Great emergency meal, also works in quick skillet dishes.

  • Use: Chicken salad, Keto tacos (lettuce shells), or mixed with cheese & eggs in a skillet.

☐ Keto Chili (Camping + KATO Friendly)

  • Keto Approved: Made with ground beef, pre-cooked sausage, tomatoes, peppers, onions, and spices — no beans.

  • Best Use: One-pot campfire meal or pre-cooked at home and reheated.

  • Storage Options:

    • Cook fresh at camp if you're bringing ground beef/sausage (Take Out).

    • Or bring pre-cooked, vacuum-sealed or frozen (Keep Always if frozen solid and used early).

☐ Nut Butter (Peanut, Almond) for Keto  

  • Keto Approved: High fat, moderate protein, low carb — as long as you choose a no-sugar-added variety.

  • Storage: No refrigeration needed until opened (and often not even after).

  • Use:

    • Spoon it straight for fast energy on the beach.

    • Spread on cheese crisps, celery, or low-carb tortillas.

    • Mix into Keto oatmeal (chia/flax-based) or coffee.

Avoid 

  • Anything with added sugar, palm oil, or “honey roasted” labels.

  • “Low-fat” nut butters — defeats the Keto purpose.

☐ Beef Jerky for Keto  

  • Keto Approved: High protein, portable, and long-lasting — but only if it’s sugar-free and minimally processed.

  • Storage: Fully shelf-stable, no refrigeration needed.

  • Use: Great solo snack or chopped into eggs, cheese wraps, or Keto chili

Avoid: 

  • Mainstream gas station jerky (Jack Link’s, Oberto, etc.) with sugar, preservatives, and MSG.

  • “Sweet & Spicy,” “BBQ,” or “Teriyaki” flavored jerky.

Stay Fueled. Stay Focused. Stay Keto.

At Red Sky, Surf Hunters, we believe staying on track with your Keto goals shouldn’t stop at the shoreline. With this checklist, you're not just packing food — you’re fueling adventure. Whether you’re chasing tides, setting up camp, or grilling under the stars, every item here is chosen to keep you powered, sharp, and Keto-strong from the first cast to the last bite.

What’s your favorite low-carb camping meal? Drop your Keto-friendly grocery tips or recipe ideas below and help fellow campers stay on track while enjoying the great outdoors!

Add comment

Comments

There are no comments yet.