10 Easy Backpacking Food Ideas

Camping or adventure tourism can be a disaster without proper food. It is very important to choose foods that are easy to pack, store, and prepare when it comes to preparing nutritious and comfort food at a camp. It should also give you energy, which ultimately comes from a good diet, and you should be able to cope with the physical exertion of camping.

Trekking, camping, or mountain biking can be very exciting but also draining at the same time. Thus, it is important to carry comfort food on the go. Nuts, sweets, dehydrated meals, and whole grains are some foods for backpackers who are health conscious. There is a plethora of meal plans on the internet.

Whether you prioritize taste or nutrition, the food you eat automatically enhances your outdoor experience. Every person has different tastes and preferences when it comes to food, and it doesn’t matter if you are packing for an overnight trip or an entire week of wilderness; it is crucial to pack the food properly. Following are the ten easy backpacking food ideas

Granola bars

Granola bars are made from sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, walnuts, bananas, dry fruits, and rolled oats. They do not contain artificial sugar. The natural sugars that you gain from fruits keep your energy levels stable.

One can take them on multi-camp days as they have a long shelf life. If you follow a special diet, these bars are gluten-free and vegan. These bars provide sustained energy owing to the inclusion of slow-burn carbohydrates.

Overnight oats

Oats are rich in micronutrients such as Vitamin E, Zinc, Iron, copper, and manganese. Even a single bowl of oats provides a substantial amount of daily fiber, fatty acids, protein, and vitamin E required to fuel the body. Soak 1/3 oats in ¼ cup water and ½ cup milk the night before.

After soaking them overnight, add a handful of raisins or any other dried fruit of your preference and pack them for your next adventure!

Peanut butter and jam sandwich

One should remember that bread can be a part of a well-balanced diet. The nutritional value of the bread depends on the type of bread chosen. A whole grain bread is the best choice, and it is higher in fiber and protein than other breads. Just like bread, peanut butter is a good source of protein.

Eating jams rich in nutrients tends to reduce the risk of stroke. Thus, combining all three makes a great and healthy sandwich, which can be a great meal for a backpack!

Chicken wraps

Wraps can be a healthy diet. However, you should choose the ones that have a high nutritional value. You need reduced-fat ranch salad dressing, whole-grain tortillas, barbeque sauce, and chicken breasts for this unique recipe!

You must combine the ranch dressing in a bowl and mix shredded broccoli. After this, you must spread the tortilla with barbeque sauce and top it with chicken! Your chicken wrap is ready!

Baked beans on a toast

Beans prove to be an excellent source of carbohydrates, and if whole wheat is used for toast, it also provides a complete source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This backpacking food is lip-smacking, extremely cheap, and easy to make!

All you have to do is use the camping pot to warm up the baked beans and enjoy them over the toasted bread!

Rice burrito

A rice burrito is for all the avid campers who don’t want to miss out on their daily carbohydrates. A rice burrito is a great backpacking food. It is cheap and can be made in just 5-10 minutes. When you add rice to your burrito, ensure that you add some veggies to it! Wrapping it in a tortilla with canned beans makes it a mess-free meal!

A burrito can be the most nutritious element of any meal plan, provided you use the most nutrient-dense ingredients while preparing them!

Beef jerky

This is one of the most quintessential backpacking foods, and it is made from lean cuts of beef, which are marinated in different types of sauces, additives, and other spices. After that, it undergoes various processing methods, such as smoking and drying, before it’s packaged. It is a healthy source of zinc, iron, and protein.

This unique snack makes its way into the lives of backpackers as it is specifically cooked and dehydrated in a way that it becomes shelf stable.

Salmon pockets

Salmon is extremely rich in protein, calcium, vitamin D, and omega-3 fats. You should choose lightweight food such as salmon pockets if you want smart backpacking ideas. Salmon packets are an extremely protein-rich food that will help you prevent the wear and tear of your body.

All you have to do is cook salmon, seal it in all your favorite seasonings and veggies, and then bake it to perfection! It is one of the most sought-after foods while out on a camp!

Tuna and egg salad

Tuna fish is a very good source of vitamin B12, which is the vitamin that apparently helps you form new blood cells. On the other hand, egg is a major source of proteins. A tuna and egg salad keeps you fuelled and energetic throughout the day!

All you have to do is combine Tuna, eggs, mayonnaise, and celery in a medium bowl and add salt and pepper to taste! This makes the perfect salad!

Dark chocolate

If you have a sweet tooth, you can carry dark chocolate while backpacking. Dark chocolate is an endless supply of caffeine and antioxidants; the best part is its low sugar.

However, chocolate tends to melt. Hence you should wrap it in a foil paper and then take it along with you!

Final words

You might have a plethora of options for food for backpacking, however, you should ensure that the food is stored in the campground! It is advisable that during the day, you keep the food secured in the cooler or in your car.

At night, you can place the loose food inside the metal bear box and refrain from keeping it in the cooler as bears and raccoons are used to opening coolers and snatch the food away! You can follow the rules and regulations for the food storage carefully!