It's not always easy to stay healthy while LARPing. While you may get plenty of exercise, spending time in any environment away from home is bound to create some changes in your dietary pattern. Furthermore, you have to think about your LARP (live action role playing) character and what he or she might eat--is your character a vegetarian elf or a barbarian who sticks to meat?

You can accommodate your in-character needs and real-life health if you plan ahead. Many LARPs serve food, but it's always best to bring your own snacks in case you don't care for what is served or find yourself getting hungry between meals.

There are also plenty of foods that look like something different than they are. Consider this if your diet conflicts with that of your character.

Simple and Healthy

Items like granola bars and whole grain cereal are easy to take with you. Put them in small containers or plastic bags. You can conceal them in a leather pouch so it looks as though you are eating directly from the pouch.

Medieval Fantasy LARP

Gruel is notoriously bland tasting, but you can make a healthy, hearty meal that looks like gruel. Here's my favorite "gruel" recipe:

Cream of Chicken over rice

Prepare 1 1/2 cups of white rice and 1 can of Campbell's Cream of Chicken soup (use 1/2 can of milk to retain thickness). Combine rice and soup. Add pepper to taste.

This recipe needs to be refrigerated. If you have access to a refrigerator or cooler, it's an awesome in-game food.

Post-Apocalyptic LARP

If you're heading to a post-apocalyptic LARP, you shouldn't have a problem bringing along modern food. If you're careful about washing everything, you can even re-package healthy foods in different containers.

In a post-apocalyptic setting, green foods might be especially desired. Consider bringing your veggies--and making your character very possessive of them, along with potable water.

If you're participating in a combat LARP or find yourself walking more than usual, you should remember that your body will require more calories than you are used to. For this reason, you might not feel guilty about eating the pasta or cookies served come feast time.

Above all, listen to your doctor or nutritionist and never compromise your safety or health just to stay in character.