Backpacking is a way to get close to nature. Whether you hike on trails or head off into uncharted woods, everything you need to survive must fit on your back because you need your hands free for balance and to explore your surroundings. Consider every piece of equipment you carry because weight adds up. Food can quickly add extra pounds to your load, so make sure you have enough for your hike but not too much to weigh you down and impede your enjoyment.
Snacks
The amount of food you need depends on the length of your trip. After eating a full breakfast before hitting the trails, you typically won't need more than trail mix or a few high-energy snack bars for a day hike. Longer backpacking hikes require better planning, however. Snacks are most favored by backpackers and often double for breakfast and lunch as well as midday pick-me-ups because they are so light and compact and provide high levels of needed nutrients like protein and carbohydrates. A healthy homemade trail mix could include dried fruit like raisins and apricots, a variety of nuts, and granola or other high-fiber cereal. Dried fruit rolls, beef jerky and string cheese are ideal for breakfast and snacking on the trails, according to Backcountry Essentials.
Meals
Depending on the availability of water, you may find that freeze-dried foods provide the best meals because they are so light. Merely add water to foil packs to prepare a fully nutritious meal. Freeze-dried selections, which can be eaten cold or heated over an open fire, include spaghetti and meat sauce, lasagna, and beef and chicken one-pot meals. Vegetables are best carried dried. A number of dehydrators are available on the market to make your own dry foods. Cook your favorite high-protein and carbohydrate-rich meals prior to hiking and add water to eat. Dehydrators save you poundage in your backpack and time preparing food, since it's already cooked.
Nutrition
The Wilderness Medicine Institute reports that dehydration is the single biggest concern for backpackers. Lack of fluids can cause both mental and physical conditions that lead to poor motivation and illness. The average need for backpacking is about 6 liters for a six-hour hike if you are carrying a backpack. The average hiker needs about 1.5 to 2 lb. of dry food per day. According to Get Outdoors, a backpacker's diet should consist of about 65 percent carbs, 15 percent protein and 20 percent fat. You can mix supplements, such as high-protein powders that also contain electrolytes and vitamins, with water to make up for any deficiencies in your food stores. Dried meat, eggs and dairy products provide additional needed protein and vitamins.
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