Top Foods to Carry on Hikes

Whether going on a multi-day backpacking trip or only going for an afternoon hike, you need to carry some foods.

You might be planning your breakfast, lunch, dinner, or one of your snacks; whatever you choose to take with you during your hike, you have to carry. This means you’re not going to bring several cans of soup, beans, meat, or fruit because cans will get heavy. The idea is to lighten the load and make sure you can enjoy the nutrients needed to enjoy hiking through the wilderness.

What Will You Have for Breakfast?

Waking up in the morning on the trail means it’s time for something to eat to start your day. This means you need to have something healthy to eat that gives you the nutrients you’re looking for when you want to start your daily hike. What foods did you choose to carry for your hikes? If you bring cooking gear, there are some foods you can make while others are edible without the need to cook. Here are some ideas:

Granola and Cold Cereal

You don’t have to cook these items, and you’ll have a healthy breakfast full of nutrients. Carry granola or cold cereal bag that offers nuts, grains, and flakes. These items make up a breakfast you can eat dry and enjoy on the go.

Dried Fruits

Add some dried fruits to the mix to give you a little variety in your breakfast. Some options are banana chips, dried apple slices, dates, and raisins. These items show you a bit of sweetness to your meal and can easily offer you more nutrients you need.

Trail Bars

Tons of breakfast bars are perfect for your hikes on the trails. Carry some of these foods with you during your hikes and enjoy them anytime you’re hungry. Some bars are softer and make it easy to eat them when you’re still on the move.

Pop-Tarts

While Pop-Tarts is the brand name, any variety of these breakfast pastries can be great when you’re out hiking on the trails. You can eat them while you pack up to get back on the trails for some more hiking fun and the impressive views you’ll see along the way.

Hot Meals

If you want to cook your breakfast, you’ll need a Pocket Rocket mini stove. Bring some freeze-dried items like powdered eggs, instant oatmeal, or other freeze-dried breakfasts. You might not like them as much as the real thing, but they work and give you a hot meal.

What Will You Eat for Lunch on the Trail?

Lunch is a time of day when you’re likely on the most and want to have something quick and easy. If you don’t have any meat for breakfast and crave it, you’ll want to carry some meat items. Your hikes are much better if you take the foods with you that you’ll enjoy instead of craving something the entire time.

Various Nut Products

Nuts, seeds, and nut butter are a great way to get some of the protein you’ll need during the middle of the day. You can create your trail mix with nuts, seeds, candies, and dried fruit, but you can also carry some squeezable pouches of nut butter that can be spread on tortillas.

Meat and Fish Pouches

Find a good spot in your backpack to make sure these items don’t burst open, but you can carry some pouches with tuna in them or a bag of jerky. These items will give you the meat you crave to have lunch with plenty of protein during your middle-of-the-day meal.

Add Some Cheese to the Mix

Some cheese works well on the trails and could be one of the foods you carry during your hikes. If you’re unsure what kind of cheeses to take with you, look in the cracker aisle at the grocery store to see if some pouches can survive the time you’ll spend out on the trails. It’s essential to have the right amount of nutrients in the middle of the day to continue your hike.

Get Ready to Make Dinner on the Trail

As the sun begins to go down, you’ll want to make camp and prepare for a night under the stars. This can be magical and beautiful, but it can be ruined if your stomach begins to growl while enjoying your time in nature. Avoid this by making a good meal for dinner. If you haven’t eaten a hot meal all day, now is the time to fire up that Pocket Rocket and cook the proper dinner.

Carry a Variety of Freeze-Dried Dinners

Some dinners can be great when they come in a pouch. You don’t need to carry many extra tools and items that will cause you to have too much weight in your pack. Think of some of the stews, casseroles, and soup-type dinners you enjoy and put them in your bag. There are freeze-dried versions of each of these.

Buy Some MREs

What are MREs? These are meals given to the military when out in the field or battle. They are lightweight and packed with nutrients and calories. They make the perfect food to carry on hikes. What’s more, you can leave your Pocket Rocket at home when you have MREs. The letters stand for Meals Ready-to-Eat, and there are several varieties of these meals for you to enjoy.

Don’t Forget Dessert.

That’s right; you can enjoy a dessert while out on the trails. Head to the freeze-dried section and check out the ice cream bars or other items that could be great for your after-dinner pleasure. Of course, some breakfast items also make lovely desserts, especially the Pop-Tarts or dried fruit.

Once you’ve got all the foods you’ll carry during your hikes;,; you’ll be ready to spend some time out on the trails enjoying nature and beauty.