Food To Take Camping & Hiking

Consider storage and dietary needs when planning what food to bring for a hiking or camping trip. Choosing foods that store well without refrigeration is essential because bacteria illness-causing bacteria rapidly multiply at temperatures between 40 degrees and 140 degrees Fahrenheit , according to the United States Department of Agriculture. You also need to bring the proper types of food to provide you with protein, carbohydrates and fats to fuel your body.

Hiking Food

The best foods to pack for a hiking trip are ones that do not require refrigeration. Jerky and nuts are lightweight and easy to carry, require no refrigeration and are a good source of protein and fat. Crackers provide simple carbohydrates for a quick burst of energy. Top the crackers with peanut butter, canned tuna or canned chicken to make a complete meal. Bring along a few pieces of fresh fruit for a refreshing treat. Apples and oranges are good fruit choices because they are sturdy fruits that resist spoiling when not refrigerated. Because fresh fruit is heavy to carry, limit yourself to only a few pieces.

Camping Food

You can bring fresh foods such as meats, milk and eggs along on a camping trip if you have a cooler to keep the foods from spoiling. Ideally, you should eat the fresh foods on the first night of your trip, before the foods have a chance to spoil. For longer camping trips, bring along dehydrated and dried foods. Powdered milk and powdered eggs serve as substitutes for fresh eggs and can be rehydrated with water for cooking. Oatmeal provides fiber and complex carbohydrates to give you energy throughout the day. Boxed macaroni and cheese and boxed, seasoned white rice mixes provide carbohydrates for energy. Throw in some dehydrated vegetable pieces and dehydrated meat bits to make a complete meal. Add a little vegetable oil to your meals to take care of your dietary fat needs. For midday snacks, eat granola packs and jars of fruit cocktail.

Emergency Energy Food

Hiking and camping, especially in cold weather, increases your caloric needs to as much as 3,600 to 6,000 calories per day, says Stephen Gorman in the "Winter Camping Handbook." If you don't consume enough calories, you might feel lightheaded or weak. If this happens, drink plenty of water and consume simple sugars for a quick burst of energy. Candy bars and energy bars should do the trick. Sugar drink mixes such as Kool-Aid and Tang provide both fluids and simple sugars.

Water

Water is one of the most important things to bring on hiking and camping trips. Bring enough water to last your entire trip in case clean, fresh water is not available where you are going. The U.S. National Park Service recommends consuming 4 liters of water a day, per person, for warm weather hiking and camping.