When backpacking or hiking, it’s essential to bring the right type of food along. Bringing fresh meat and other perishable food items is a huge no! Non-perishables is the best way to go when hiking.

Unfortunately, you cannot carry your entire house on your back. This leaves room for only the essential things. Trying to plan healthy, nonperishable, and easy meals can be very difficult.

If you are unsure about what food to bring when hiking, then this is the perfect article for you. Here we discuss five essential foods that you should take when backpacking.

Fish or Poultry Placed in Foil Packets

Packing fresh meat will be a huge mistake as it will become spoiled quickly. Fish or poultry make excellent sources of protein. When these meats or packed into foil packets, they become a number one choice for hikers.

Foil packets can easily be packed into your backpack due to how light they are. Food items stored into foil packs do not need to be refrigerated. These meats will not spoil as easily as fresher food products.

Most of these items are packed with protein, vitamins, iron, and other nutrients. This makes these meat products perfect for hiking or backpacking.

Dried or Dehydrated Foods

Dried foods like jerky, fruit, and other dehydrated foods are best to take when traveling. Dehydrated foods can easily be boiled or cooked to be rehydrated. Dried foods hold nutrition and do not spoil quickly.

Dried fruits have long shelf lives and are stable in the heat. Most dried foods keep their original vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. This makes them healthy and easily accessible when on the move.

Dehydrated foods come in foil packets. Dehydrated foods aren’t always seen as healthy, but some do have healthy ingredients. Dried or dehydrated foods can be easily stored because they have a long shelf life.

Powdered Milk

Fresh dairy products are out of the question when it comes to backpacking. The only other option would be powdered milk. Powdered milk is easy to carry, especially since it does not need to be refrigerated.

Like fresh milk, powdered milk has many nutrients that can be helpful in tough situations. Powdered milk can easily be added to instant cereals, dehydrated meals, and coffee or tea. This product can be used as an extra source of calories.

Powdered milk is high in protein, vitamins, calcium, and potassium. It is vital that hikers get each of these nutrients and minerals when backpacking.

Instant Oatmeal and Protein Bars

This product is easy to make when hiking or backpacking. Instant oatmeal was made to be a good source of nutrition. There is little to no amount of sugar added to instant oatmeal cereal.

Some products have sugar additives and artificial ingredients. These are the less healthy products that still hold nutritional value. Having an instant oatmeal cereal with no added sugar is the healthier option.

With no added artificial sugar, you can add other ways to sweeten your meal that are a lot healthier. You can add things such as dried fruit, nuts, or seeds for added flavor.

Sometimes when going through a rough exercise, you may need to boost their protein intake. Hikers will need to have a source of protein to help with hunger and repair muscle damage.

Protein bars do not need to be refrigerated and can be transported easily. Choosing protein bars without added sugar or artificial ingredients is best when hiking.

Seeds, Nuts, and Grains

Nuts and seeds are portable and easy to eat on the go. Backpackers can gain a lot of the vitamins, minerals, and the fiber they will need for long distances. Nuts and seeds have a high-calorie count despite the fact that they are small.

Extreme hiking trails can burn through your calories faster than you think. This amount of calories makes it important for you to have a calorie-dense diet. Nuts and seeds can be mixed in with dried fruits.

Whole grains are long-lasting and portable making them perfect for backpackers. These products can be eaten throughout the day. Cooking them over a fire is quite simple, seeing that this is the preferred way of cooking on hikes.

Summing it All Up

There are so many more things you can bring with you when you are hiking. Things like coffee, tea, and spices. Even though coffee or tea is not an essential food, it is still nice to have with you.

It is always best to plan your meals as far ahead as you can. Buying your food in bulk will allow you to do your planning and save money at the same time. Knowing what food is best to bring on a backpacking trip will help you with your menu planning.