Backpacking Food Tips

by Louie Doverspike

Overview

Keeping a varied diet that is both nutritionally comprehensive and lightweight can be a big challenge. Backpacking is incredibly restrictive, forcing you to limit the foods you can take, as well as the materials needed to cook those foods. With careful packing, you can defy limitations and make some pretty solid dishes.
GORP

While stores sell a variety of prepackaged trail mix, make your own. Mix ingredients in a gallon or quart plastic bag, and you'll have plenty to snack on while hiking. Include dried fruit, pretzels, nuts, even chocolate chips. Two good combinations are a mix of sweet and salty or salty and spicy.

Spices

Two key items well worth their weight in your pack are a bottle of hot sauce and a spice wheel. Hot sauce can liven up anything, from sandwiches to pasta. Spice wheels can be found in lightweight plastic, and contain everything you need to flavor dinner dishes.
Fresh Fruit

While they take up a lot of space, shoving some fresh apples into an outside pocket can be just the juicy treat you need. While many people carry dried fruit, fresh fruit hydrates the body. Pack unripened bananas or avocados, and enjoy them after they ripen naturally while you're on the trail.