Getting into the great outdoors is something that not nearly enough of us do. There are so many benefits to getting outside and experiencing all that nature has to offer that more of us really should be doing it. The fresh air, the beautiful scenery, and the lively wildlife makes for a wonderful experience.
Making sure that you have enough food to eat can be a difficult endeavor, especially if you don’t want to carry around a heavy pack simply for food. There are a number of ways to combat that so that you can stay energized and hydrated while out on the trail or at the camp site.
Stay Hydrated
The top tip is to always stay hydrated. Pre-hydrate before your trip with three or four cups of water; this will help you when it comes to packing. Make sure that you have water bottles on you or in your pack. Hydration is key and it can be dangerous if you run out of water deep on the trail.
For Camping
Plan for the length of your trip. You can bring meats like chicken or fish that are easier to cook and focus on foods that are quick to heat up in nothing more than a pot or pan. If you are planning to set up a campfire and have some logs sourced from Firewood Farm (or somewhere similar), then don’t forget to carry some marshmallows that you can roast while chatting or singing with your friends around the fire. In addition, make sure to bring coolers to keep perishable food cool and fresh. And above all else: water. You need water above anything.
Important tip: don’t overload your trip because you’ll wind up with food that’s wasted. Plan your trip ahead so that you can portion properly.
For Hiking
The best bet is to aim for things that aren’t perishable. Unless you have a pack or lunchbox with a col source (think ice packs), you run the risk of your food spoiling, especially if it is a particularly hot day. Sandwiches and fruit make for great eats, just as long as you can keep them cool during the trip.
If you don’t have that option, think things like energy bars, granola or granola bars, trail mix, nuts, fruit that doesn’t need to be refrigerated like bananas, apples, and oranges, jerky (maybe from companies such as North-Creek smokehouse jerky), etc. Those will keep regardless of the setting and still provide you with ample protein and energy to keep you going on your hike.
They key is to pack for your day. If you plan to be out all day, make sure that you have enough food to fill your day. The last thing you want is to be hours from leaving and your stomach rumbles without anything to fill it.