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What Do You Eat?

Last Updated on December 28, 2018 by mountainswithmegan

Hot food is delicious after a long day.
Hot food is delicious after a long day.

In case you’re not sure what type of food to bring to the trail, here is a non-exhaustive list of backpacker friendly foods to give you some ideas. These are just my favorites, but you’ll find your own favorites. The most important thing to remember is to eat what you like to eat. Otherwise, you’ll get bored with your meals.

Breakfast:

  • oatmeal packets; Save time in the morning by pouring hot water directly into the packet. Then you don’t have to wash your pot.
  • granola bars
  • energy bars
  • peanut butter
  • Nutella
  • Pop-Tarts
  • bagels
  • cream cheese; It will keep for a few days on the trail. Maybe not during the hottest part of the summer, but it’s good the rest of the time.
  • coffee
  • hot chocolate
  • bacon; If you’re hiking in the spring or fall, bacon will keep for a day or so.
  • cereal + dehydrated milk

Snacks:

  • Fritos + cream cheese
  • icing, from the jar
  • tortillas + peanut butter + jelly
  • tortillas + cheese + salami + mayo
  • cheese
  • jerky
  • English muffins + cream cheese + strawberry jelly
  • mayo, ketchup, mustard, Taco Bell sauce; Be sure to stock up on sauce packets every time you get fast food.
  • Snickers minis
  • Paydays
  • M&Ms
  • dried mango, pineapple, cranberries, raisins
  • fresh fruit, like apples, bananas, mangos; I like to get a few pieces of fruit at the grocery store, then eat them during the first day on the trail.
  • cookies
  • Crystal Light

Dinner:

  • Pasta Sides, Rice Sides, Italian Sides; Pretty much any variation of the Lipton Sides you can buy for $1.
  • Ramen
  • any powdered soup mix + pasta
  • quinoa
  • pre-made backpacker dinners
  • dehydrated food that you made yourself
  • mac & cheese
  • instant mashed potatoes
  • Ramen + instant mashed potatoes
  • calzones over the fire
  • beans and rice
  • tuna

Do you have any favorite backpacking foods? Share in the comments below!

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