What Is the Most Calorie Dense Food for Backpacking?

By Anna Duncan

Backpacking is an excellent way to explore the outdoors, reconnect with nature, and stay in shape. The downside is that packing enough food for the journey can be a challenge.

Especially when trying to keep the weight of your load light, you need to focus on foods that are calorie dense, lightweight, and easy to store. So what is the most calorie dense food for backpacking?

There are a variety of calorie-dense options that make great additions to any backpacking meal plan. Nuts and nut butters are a great source of calories and healthy fats due to their high fat content.

A single ounce of almonds contains 164 calories, while a tablespoon of peanut butter packs 94 calories. Oils such as olive oil or coconut oil are also high in calories and can be added to meals or used for cooking.

Dried fruits also provide an excellent source of energy while on the trail. A cup of raisins contains 434 calories and over 6 grams of fiber, making it an ideal snack for long hikes. Dried fruits can also be reconstituted with water for added nutrition.

Jerky is another popular choice for backpacking because it’s lightweight and shelf-stable. Jerky typically contains around 70-100 calories per ounce, depending on the type of meat used. It’s also packed with protein and various vitamins and minerals.

Dehydrated meals, such as those made by Mountain House or Backpacker’s Pantry, offer up some of the most calorie dense foods available for backpacking trips. A single serving can have up to 800 calories or more depending on the meal.

For those looking for even more calorie density in their food choices, energy bars provide a convenient way to get plenty of nutrition without having to carry much weight. Some brands can provide up to 500 calories per bar!

When it comes down to it, there’s no single food that can claim to be the most calorie dense option for backpacking trips. The best choice will depend on personal preferences and dietary restrictions as well as how much weight one is willing to carry.

: While there is no single food that can claim to be the most calorie dense option for backpacking trips, some great choices include nuts and nut butters, oils such as olive oil or coconut oil, dried fruits like raisins, jerky, dehydrated meals like those from Mountain House or Backpacker’s Pantry, and energy bars with up 500 calories per bar! Ultimately you’ll want something lightweight but still nutrient-dense that fits into your dietary needs.