What Is Good Backpacking Food?

By Alice Nichols

Backpacking is an incredible way to explore the great outdoors and enjoy some fresh air and scenery. But with an active lifestyle comes the need for sustenance, and it can be difficult to balance a healthy diet with the requirements of a long trek. The best backpacking food will provide all the nutrition you need to keep going, while also being lightweight, easy to transport and prepare, and full of flavor.

High-calorie snacks are a must for any backpacking trip. These should be rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for energy that will last over multiple days.

Nuts like almonds or walnuts are an ideal choice — they’re light, tasty, full of nutrients and easy to eat on the go. Dried fruit is also beneficial; it’s packed with carbohydrates, contains vitamins, minerals and natural sugars for energy.

Hydration is key when you’re out in the wild. Bring plenty of water bottles or a hydration pack so you can stay hydrated at all times. Electrolyte-rich sports drinks are also a good idea if you’re going to be exerting yourself heavily on your trip — they help you refuel quickly after long hikes or strenuous activities.

Meals

Although snacking throughout the day is important for maintaining energy levels, meals should still form part of your backpacking diet. Pre-made meal kits make things easier — these include freeze-dried ingredients that just need hot water added so they can be eaten almost immediately. Alternatively, making your own meals from scratch not only saves money but allows for more variety on your trip.

For breakfast ideas look no further than oatmeal or granola bars; both are nutrient-packed and convenient breakfast options that require no cooking whatsoever. For lunch or dinner options think about bringing pasta dishes like macaroni and cheese; these can easily be cooked up with boiling water from a camp stove or fire pit.

Conclusion

Good backpacking food should provide plenty of nutrition while remaining light enough to carry around during hikes. Snacks like nuts and dried fruit provide high levels of calories without weighing too much down in your pack; electrolytes are also important when it comes to staying hydrated in the wilds. When it comes time for meals make sure to bring pre-made meal kits or create your own dishes from scratch — oats and granola bars make great breakfasts while pasta dishes can easily be cooked up with boiling water.

Conclusion:
Good backpacking food should provide sustained energy throughout the day while being lightweight enough to carry around in your pack. High calorie snacks such as nuts or dried fruit are ideal choices due to their nutritional value as well as their convenience factor; electrolytes should also be included as part of any backpacking diet due to their importance when it comes to staying hydrated in remote locations. Meal time should involve pre-made meal kits or home cooked dishes such as oatmeal bars for breakfast and pasta dishes like macaroni cheese for lunch/dinner – these can easily be cooked up using boiling water from camp stoves/fire pits where necessary.