When planning a hike in the countryside, you’ll spend most of your time planning the route, getting your gear together, and organizing the people coming. One thing you might not have put as much thought into is the food you’re bringing.
This is actually one of the most exciting things to think about, as depending on the length of your hike, your backpack will be at least 50% food, if not more. These tips will help you make the best choices, so that you aren’t left caught out without enough, or with too much food.
source:makfax.com.mk
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Calorie density
This is one of the most important things to consider when planning your hike, as depending on how difficult and long the hike is, you’ll likely be burning a lot more calorie than you’re used to. Because of this, we recommend that you choose foods that are high in calories per gram, as this will also reduce your food volume (more on that next), and will ensure that you can hit your necessary calories for each day.
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Food volume
As you’re limited to the amount of space in your backpack, managing your food volume will be very important. If you’re camping, you’ll need to carry your tent and all your sleeping gear with you, and then you’ll need to bring clothes and food on top of that. You may think that certain foods are a great idea, and things like fruit are an obvious choice for a nutritious snack.
source:hikingandfishing.com
However, when you look at how many calories they have for the amount of space they take up, they become a less attractive option. Foods that are high in fat, but are also dense in calories are a great choice.
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A handful of nuts may have 300+ calories and take up a tiny space. In addition, they aren’t going to spoil even if you’re traveling for several days. You can buy nut wholesale to save money if you’re planning on creating a large trail mix for you and your hiking group.
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Nutrition
Particularly if you’re doing a challenging hike, maintaining proper nutrition should be a high priority. You need to be able to keep walking for long periods in potentially difficult terrain without your body giving up on you. This means a proper balance of carbs, protein, and fats, as well as all the necessary vitamins and nutrients. This may take some planning, and you won’t necessarily be able to get them all the time. If you’re on a hike for several weeks, take advantage of any towns or villages you pass through to load up on fresh food.
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Convenience
If you’re hiking for 20+ miles a day, you won’t have much time to stop and prepare a meal, and even less energy. This means that convenience is essential to help you keep a constant flow of food in your system. A large stack of snacks that can be easily accessed is recommended, as well as food that’s prepped that you can simply heat up in water. Army-style rationsand a full meal with a drink and a snack that can be made in minutes are great options here.
source:hikingandfishing.com
