When you're backpacking, your body needs protein, carbohydrates and other nutrients to sustain your energy levels -- especially if you're on a strenuous trail. The best foods for your trip don't just provide these critical nutrients, but also come in compact, easy-to-pack form that allows you to stash it quickly in your backpack without excessive bulk or weight.
Jerky
Jerky -- strips of meat that's been dehydrated -- last longer than fresh meat, require no refrigeration and can come seasoned in your favorite flavors. Backpacker Magazine reports that jerky is a perennial favorite among backpacking enthusiasts, and says beef, fish -- especially salmon and trout -- and game meat all make excellent jerky. Part of jerky's popularity comes from its high protein content. A single ounce of traditional beef jerky has almost 10 g of muscle-building protein.
Dried Fruit
Grab a handful of dried fruit and you'll get lots of sugary carbohydrates for quick energy on your trip, as well as antioxidants, vitamins and, in some cases, fiber. You can enjoy dried fruit on its own or mix it with other foods, such as nuts, for a tasty and multi-textured snack that stays interesting -- an important factor when you're backpacking for extended periods of time and get bored with your options. Backpacker specifically recommends dried pineapples, mangos or blueberries; they're not just exotic in flavor, but also rich in vitamins.
Quinoa
Quinoa comes recommended by Seattle Backpacker's Magazine, which calls it a superfood for backpackers on the trail, a dried grain that "makes an excellent protein for backpackers." You could eat quinoa with meats as the base for a hearty lunch or dinner, or enjoy it in the morning as a hot cereal. A cup of this grain nets you a surprising 8 g of protein, plus 39 g of energy-boosting carbohydrates and 5 g of filling fiber.
Chinese Noodles
Chinese noodles are easy to find in the grocery store and easy to pack, and they're also cheap and great for budget-conscious backpackers, according to Backpacker Magazine. These noodles are dehydrated and come in various flavors. Add them to boiled water, and you have an instant bowl of carb-rich noodles.
Instant Oatmeal
The "Food & Think" column at Smithsonian.com recommends instant oatmeal as one of the seven best foods for backpacking.Add just a dash of protein, such as almond butter, and you'll have a fiber- and protein-rich breakfast to sustain you for a busy day of backpacking.
Dried Soup
Megan Steintrager, the senior editor of Epicurious, recommends dry soup mixes as the best camping and backpacking food available. You can use them with hot water for an electrolyte-rich basic meal that helps you get the fluids you need for hiking and backpacking, or you can also sprinkle them dry on other foods as a seasoning.
References
- "Backpacker"; Dehydrate Your Trail Food; Diane Balley; April 2001
- "Backpacker"; Fast Food: A Backpacker's Guide to Grocery; Susan Newquist; December 2001
- "Backpacker"; Eating Well on the Trail; Editors of Backpacker; Undated
- "Seattle Backpacker's Magazine"; Quinoa - A Superfood for the Trail; Laurie Ann March; December 2010
- Smithsonian.com: The Best Foods for Backpacking
- "Epicurious"; The Best Camping and Backpacking Food; MEgan Steintrager; April 2009
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