Common backpacking foods tend to be nonperishable, weigh little and need only minimal preparation before eating. Most also provide plenty of complex carbohydrates, fiber and protein to fuel your outdoor adventures. According to the USDA's food safety guidelines, the best backpacking foods are those that don't require refrigeration and weigh as little as possible: on a long hike, you don't want to worry about food-borne bacteria or risk sore shoulders by carrying around heavy canned goods. Backpacker magazine also recommends sturdy snacks that can withstand the pressures of packing, so you won't open your bag to find crumbled cookies and squished sandwiches.
Breads
Backpacker advises against taking any soft white or wheat breads, including sliced bread, muffins, rolls and pastries; these tend to crumble and mold quickly. Instead, choose flour tortillas or pita bread: they hold their shape and resist spoiling even after several days on the trail.
Meat
Preserved meat like beef jerky or unsliced pepperoni needs no refrigeration, and when chopped into bits makes handy add-ins for chili, sandwiches or stews at camp. Avoid nondried meat, especially fatty cold cuts; they'll spoil within 48 hours.
Dehydrated Foods
Camping supply companies sell ready-to-prepare pouches of dehydrated meals, from sweet-and-sour pork to veggie lasagna. These military-style meals are lightweight and convenient but can be expensive. Cheaper options include packets of dry soup mix or pouches containing dehydrated sauce and pasta or rice, available at supermarkets. Backpackers also concoct their own just-add-water meal pouches by predrying meat and vegetables with a dehydrator, then adding rice or pasta and sealing in a zip-top plastic bag.
Fruits and Vegetables
Backpackers prefer dried fruit over fresh because it doesn't spoil or get mealy on a hot day---or take up much room in the pack. Mix in some nuts or sunflower seeds and you've got a healthy trail mix. For a crunchy snack, try veggie sticks or popcorn.
Snacks
Hard cookies like animal crackers and sandwich cremes fare better in the close confines of a backpack than soft-baked cookies do. To minimize crumbling and staleness, pack cookies and crackers in rigid, airtight plastic containers. When the snacks are gone, use the container to store dinner leftovers or as a soup bowl.
Beverages
Instant coffee, hot cocoa mix and tea bags are backpacking staples: by just adding hot water, you'll have a warm drink to soothe tired muscles after a hike. Powdered milk and fruit juice drinks add variety to the menu. Frozen juice boxes melt slowly, so you can hike for several hours and still enjoy a cold drink at camp.
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