Packing meals for a backpacking trip may seem overwhelming but with a little practice, becoming a back-country chef can be easy. It is not uncommon for the majority of a pack's weight and bulk to be food; however, it is possible to cut down on excess weight without skimping on meals. Several things should be taken into consideration when creating a back-country menu including energy requirements, weight, preparation, packaging and the length of the trip.
Energy Requirments
It is common for backpackers to burn anywhere from 3,000 and 6,000 calories a day. On average, a backpacker can go through between two or three pounds of energy dense food a day. Creating a daily meal plan is an ideal way to make sure that all the meals are accounted for and that energy requirements are met. Generally, daily rations should include three servings of grains, five to eight servings of vegetables and two servings of protein. Some common meals include rice and beans, peanut butter sandwiches and granola with nuts and seeds.
Weight and Bulk
Making meals with dehydrated, freeze dried, and powdered ingredients can cut down on both weight and bulk. Instant soups, powdered cheese, beef jerky, dehydrated beans, potato flakes, dried fruit and powdered milk will not spoil on the trail and can be incorporated in many different recipes. High calorie bulk foods that are easy to cook and easy to pack like oatmeal, lentils, rice, bulgur, couscous and pasta are also trail-friendly ingredients. While it can be nice to bring a variety of foods, it is important to consider taste. Bringing foods no one will eat only adds weight.
Meal Preparations
When planning a back-country menu, it is important to consider meal preparation. Most meals will need to be cooked in a small pot with as little fuel as possible, so quick cooking, one-pot meals are ideal. Dehydrated foods make this easier; however, certain foods need to be rehydrated before being cooked. Considering how much time is going to be spent cooking is also important. For backpackers who are covering a lot of ground quickly, cooking a fast dinner at night and a calorie dense breakfast in the morning can be preferable. Other backpackers may prefer to socialize while cooking a larger dinner.
Leave No Trace
The leave no trace credo states that no trash can be buried or burned--this means that whatever a backpacker packs in, they must pack out. This includes leftovers which should be eaten during the following meal or packed out with the trash. Excess food can be avoided by taking the time to consider not only how much food to bring, but what types of food to bring. Repacking foods so that less trash is initially carried out onto the trail, is another good way to cut down on weight and bulk.
Spices
Spice kits are a great addition to any back-country kitchen and small, travel-sized containers are perfect for bringing spices onto the trail. A spice kit can contain as many or as few spices as the backpacker wishes to carry. While spice kits can get elaborate, a simple spice kit containing salt, pepper, garlic powder and hot sauce can go a long way in improving most meals. Sometimes space can be saved by making premixed containers of the spices and seasonings needed for individual meals.
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