How Many Calories Should a Backpacking Meal Be?

By Alice Nichols

Backpacking is an increasingly popular activity among outdoor enthusiasts, as it allows for a low-cost, low-maintenance way to explore the great outdoors. But with any activity that involves physical exertion, the importance of proper nutrition cannot be overstated. One of the most important considerations when planning a backpacking trip is how many calories each meal should provide.

Calorie requirements vary greatly from person to person based on their size, activity level and other factors. Generally speaking, an average adult requires around 2,000 calories per day to maintain their weight. For an active adult engaging in strenuous physical activity like backpacking, calorie requirements can rise to 3,000 or more per day.

Backpackers must also consider the weight and portability of their meals when determining how many calories they should consume. While calorie dense foods are ideal for providing energy on the trail, they can also add unnecessary pounds to your pack. It’s important to strike a balance between calorie density and weight when choosing the right meals for your trip.

When selecting your meals for a backpacking trip, aim for foods that offer high energy density without being too heavy. Good options include energy bars, nuts and dried fruits.

Trail mix is also an excellent choice as it provides both protein and carbohydrates in one convenient package. You may also want to consider lightweight freeze dried meals which offer high levels of calories in a lightweight package.

Conclusion:

How many calories should you aim for in a backpacking meal? It depends on your individual size and activity level but generally speaking an average adult should aim for at least 2000-3000 calories per day while they are physically active on the trail. Choose foods that offer high energy density without being too heavy such as energy bars, nuts and dried fruits or lightweight freeze dried meals.