Cooking while backpacking can be a tedious, disruptive process. In addition to forcing you to take unwanted breaks during your trip, cooking in the wilderness requires building fires and the use of clumsy cooking equipment. Nevertheless, backpacking is physically taxing and takes a lot of energy. You must replenish your body's energy stores with nutritious, high-calorie meals during your trip. Fortunately, there are countless options for hassle-free no-cook meals.
Breakfast
Backpacking is a strenuous physical activity, so starting the day with nutritious, tasty meals full of energy is essential. Foods like bagels, fruits and vegetables are easy to transport and full of carbohydrates needed to provide energy to start the day. Nuts such as almonds are great sources of protein. Peanut butter is easy to carry and can be included for a healthy dose of protein. Energy bars and granola bars make excellent breakfast options. If you enjoy cereal, combine it in a bowl with powdered milk and water for another healthy, high-energy breakfast option.
Sandwiches and Wraps
Sandwiches and wraps are no-cook options for both lunch and dinner. You can prepare them in advance, or bring the necessary ingredients with you and make them on the spot. Bread, pitas, tortillas and bagels can all be filled with lunch meats like turkey, ham and salami as well as fresh vegetables and cheeses. If your trip is too long for perishable foods like lunch meat, a container of peanut butter, a jar of jelly and a loaf of bread are all you need to make well-rounded, nutritious lunches.
Canned Foods
Canned foods are nutritious, easy to transport and require no preparation. Canned meat options, excellent sources of protein, include chicken, tuna, sardines and oysters. Canned beans are another source of protein and many enjoy eating them cold. Canned vegetables like corn and carrots, as well as canned individual fruits and fruit cocktails can accompany any meal. Just don't forget to pack a can opener.
Dried and Self-Warming Foods
Dried foods, such as jerky and dried fruits, are nutritious, calorie-dense options for backpackers. They can be purchased ready-made, or you can prepare them yourself in an oven or dehydrator before the trip. Beef, turkey and venison all make excellent jerky. Convenient freeze-dried foods usually require only the addition of hot water to produce a full meal. You can purchase various self-warming meals, specially designed for campers and backpackers. These foods come in special thermal cans that release chemicals to produce heat when a tab on the can is pulled. Many self-warming foods are sold, and soups and coffee are especially popular.
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