Are you going hiking for the first time? Probably yes! Or some of you might have gone hiking before. But, whether it’s your first time or other than that, you both might be worried about planning the ‘Hiking Food,’ aren’t I quite right?
Well, I am sure you must be excited and perplexed at the same time. You want it to be the best adventure without any spoilers. Here I am to fix your food problem and help you prepare the most fulfilling and complementing meal that won’t take up all your space.
Firstly, we have outlined a checklist that will be the criteria for your meal plans.
- Your taste preference
- The nutritional value of the food
- Caloric density of each meal
- How easy is it to cook the meal
These parameters, if met, will satisfy your hunger without creating any sort of fuss. After all, this is what everyone wants their hiking meals to be like. Preparing tasty food is not a big deal, but how would it fit? Or would you have to sit outside the camp for hours and waste time preparing meals when you could have enjoyed them? But don’t worry about that, and we have solved the mystery for you!
Hence, we need to get a meal plan that will be easy to fit, prepare, and satisfy. Moreover, we can never skip ‘nutritious meals while being ‘delicious.’ Off-course, your journey is going to be a rock and roll one, which requires tons of energy, so you can experience the best.
For this, you need to keep the caloric density high and ensure there are complex carbohydrates, proteins, and fibers in the food.
Here we have the best list of hiking Breakfast, Lunch, and dinner dishes for your service.
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Best Hiking Food Tips:
Fresh food
Keeping fresh fruits and veggies is a cold source of hydration. This will cover up the water loss due to sweat and fulfill your hungry stomach simultaneously. They even stay for longer and don’t require any garnishing, meaning no extra activities. Simple yet the best.
Hence, they will serve to be a good mid and evening snack.
Fruits like Apples are superb sidekicks. They are known as helpful fighters against sun damage. While bananas improve muscle strength, and oranges boost the immune system. Then nutrient-dense vegetables like carrots protect the eyes from the sun and celery that are very packed with nutrients and don’t affect sugar levels at all.
Spices and condiments
You may have heard people saying “add some spice” in different scenarios. Why do they say that? Well, whatever the context is, it all means that something is boring, hence needs a touch of enticement. The same happens when you eat the same foods on hiking, and you get bored. It may even make you lose your appetite, right?
Consequently, taking spices and condiments in tiny boxes is essential. These could be mayo, hot sauce, black pepper, mustard paste, and our salty salt. All these will add the sizzling flavor and enthusiasm that your journey may lack when you get tired.
Avoid excess canned food
Canned foods are not inherently bad but they do have some downsides especially for long trips.
First and foremost, they contain a lot of artificial preservatives and flavoring, which you might want to avoid. Secondly, they have high amounts of sodium which cause dehydration. Then, some canned foods are also known to have Bisphenol-A (BPA).
This substance has numerous detrimental outcomes. Further, canned food lacks nutrition, which often fades out when heating. Lastly, you surely might have an idea that food cans are quite heavy and not easy to stuff in. Ergo, it’s better to avoid these entities.
Make space for some hot beverages
Hiking journeys come in with sunsets. Who doesn’t love sunsets? What would make your experience of saying goodbye to the sun more enchanting? Well, you might have even seen in hot beverage ads, the sun setting in the background. Even movies and different clips portray the same imagery. So, why not try this bewitching activity?
So, don’t forget to scoop in cocoa powder, malted milk powder, matcha powder, coffee- powder, and tea bags. You can even try different dried soap mix powders. And satisfy your cravings on the chilling peaks of the mountains.
DIY Dehydrated backpacking meals
These meals are good because they are based on removing as much moisture from the food to reduce its weight and make it easier to carry, store, and cook later. You can dehydrate them in an oven, or voila. These types of DIY could be trail mixes, instant oatmeal, backpacking pasta, dehydrated mac, and cheese, etc.
Breakfast
Your first energy supplier of the day should be very awakening and energetic. That would chase away all the sleepiness and tiredness. Most people like to start it with a mug of coffee or even protein bars. Here I have enlisted some items that will make your breakfast special.
- Coffee powder
- Sugar cubes
- Milk powder
- Protein bars
- Teabags
- Granola and cereal
- Nuts and seeds
- Almond or peanut butter packets
- Instant Oatmeal
Lunch
Lunch can’t surely be missed on rocky adventures, but maximizing your time exploring the mountain’s natural beauty is kind of our goal. This reflects that we must take our lunch and save time, too, by opting for a cold lunch that requires no cooking. And that is fair enough, right? So, satisfy your hunger with quick and easy options such as bagels, tortillas, or a sandwich filled with hard meats and cheeses.
Add flavor to your lunch with spices and condiments like mustard sauce, mayo, peanut butter, or jelly. Top it off with some crunchy nuts and snacks for an extra boost of energy. Make your lunch unique by trying out different combinations. Here is a brief list below.
- Beagles or tortillas
- Hard Cheese- Parmesan
- Hard meats- salami, sausage or maybe tuna
- Jelly or honey
- Bread
- Condiments including small packets of mustard, ketchup, mayo and peanut butter and jelly
- Tuna or chicken in foil packets
- Almond and peanut butter packs
Dinner
It’s time to dine with something that will give you a sense of relaxation. So, you can channel your inner Bear Grylls and cook up some tasty meals over a bonfire. Isn’t it amazing how a simple campfire can turn a humble meal into a gourmet feast?
However, if cooking isn’t your thing, then freeze-dried meal pouches are a convenient and nutritious option that requires minimal preparation. You could also opt for ready-to-eat mixes that only require adding water, perfect for when you’re too tired after a long day of hiking.
Although you may be tempted to enjoy a nightcap, it’s best to avoid drinking alcohol at night. Well, why so? You must be aware that alcohol is a diuretic and will make you feel the urge to go to the bathroom more frequently, which is not ideal when you’re out in the wilderness. Agreeable right? Alternatively, a small glass of wine or a splash of rum can be a nice treat that will also help to keep you warm on chilly nights. So, let’s raise a toast to a good night’s sleep and a fun day of hiking tomorrow!
I have prepared a versatile list of options that you can dine with. Have a look!
- Freeze fried dinners
- Instant soup
- Ramen or instant noodles
- Instant Mac and cheese
- Pasta and rice
- Couscous
- Chicken and tuna packets
- Dehydrated Veggies
- Instant mash potatoes
- Spices and condiments- including some salt, pepper, mustard, mayo and ketchup
With all these, your meals are now sorted. Now, what if you feel hungry in between these meals? Here are suggestions for the mid-day snacks. With the above list of the best hiking snacks you will feel satiated instantly.
Hiking Snacks
Don’t have a lot of time to stuff in food generously? Or worried about how will you satisfy your hungry stomach after meals? Some people even have a great appetite, and they, too, will be worried about how they are going to manage their hunger. Well, stop all the worries there because I have got the best hiking snacks that will make you full instantly.
- Protein bars
- Trail mix
- Candies
- Crackers and cookies
- Nuts and seeds
- Dehydrated snacks
- Dried fruits
With these in your bag, you will always feel energetic and enthusiastic. So, keep your snack bag nutritious as well as delicious. Buy these amazing hiking snacks beforehand and plan your meals accordingly.
Food Safety Tips/ Critical Food Considerations
- Take back your trash and do not leave a negative trace
Littering mother nature is the worst thing. It would be a humble request to avoid it as much as possible. It has been noted that “some of the world’s most beautiful destinations are becoming swallowed by mountains of waste”. Sad, right?
So, don’t overlook this practice and Leave space in your backpacks for trash bags. Anyways, trash bags don’t take-up much space. You can even use zip lock bags for trash, a very convenient measure.
- Food storage
Well, this one is an important safety measure to keep under consideration. Why? Because you definitely don’t want to be eaten up by the grizzly bears luring around due to food scents. Hence, keep yourself safe in the wildlife by storing and sealing your food properly. You can even use bear canisters to keep the danger away.
- Food volume
To keep the food volume manageable, purchase appropriate size containers that are compact and spacious enough. Planning a food requirement strategically beforehand will be very useful. You could even get your hands on a backpack with various pockets that could allow a lot of management.
- Water requisites
Besides water for drinking purposes you would also need it for cooking and heating food. A best strategy is to choose a spot that is a reservoir of water like a stream or river. But if not possible to hit upon such a spot take a generous amount of water. Also, make sure not to embark upon such food strategies or items that consume a lot of water.
- Convenience
This means making things as simple as possible because your journey would be wasted if you put most of your time into chores. For instance, not preparing a fancy meal, instead taking bagels, tortillas, or a variety of tasty sandwiches that could enhance your experience. You could even opt for disposable utensils that will save time washing dishes.
- Nutrition
Let’s Imagine you are embarking on a journey through a rugged and untamed wilderness. As you travel the rock nature, the only thing that sustains you is the food you carry on your back. You want to ensure that every bite you take is not only nourishing but also a source of pleasure and satisfaction, right?
Henceforth, one way to achieve this is by seeking out unique and flavorful ingredients that will make your meals on the trail a delightful experience. For example, you could pack a medley of exotic fruits, such as dragon fruit, jackfruit, and star fruit, to add a burst of tropical flavors to your diet. Or, you could experiment with new spices and seasonings, such as smoked paprika or za’atar, to infuse your meals with rich and complex flavors.
And for sure, these items not only carry taste but also dwell in high nutrients, providing a wealth of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to fuel your body on long and demanding hikes. So, the next time you hit the trails, don’t settle for bland and uninspiring foods. Instead, get creative and explore the vast and delicious world of backpacking and hiking foods.
- Weight
Don’t be too foody on hiking! Well, do you want to regret the weight in your backpack while journeying? No? Then be strategic and wise. Count food calories and plan your meals. And this is one of the purposes of our article. Take help from it and Leave space for enjoyment too!
In conclusion, make your hiking experience by being organized and tactical. Keep the nutrients under check, and don’t leave the taste at home in excitement. Avoid being stuffy, and remember to keep the environment clean. I hope my article will help you to experience the best of times!
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