Categories: FAQs

What is your highest protein backpacking meals?

Protein is trending: although most Americans already get enough, the PROTEIN label is now a major selling point—appearing even on Pop-Tarts, coffee, and candy bars. It’s also a common question we get from customers, so we’ve compiled our highest-protein backpacking meals. Here are Outdoor Herbivore’s top meals and breakfasts that pack a protein punch!

Of course there are cleaner ways to get protein into your body than this!

High Protein Entrees

For this selection of meals, we considered only single-serving meals with 20 grams or more from protein based on a recommended standard intake of 50 grams per day for adults.

Product Name	Protein (g)	Meal Type	Requires Boiling Water	Good for Cold Soak	Contains Gluten	Vegan	Total Cal (kcal)	Total kJ	Cal (kcal) per Oz	Cal (kcal) per 100g
Cheddar Mac	30	Entrée	Y	N	Y	Y	530	2218	110	389
Pea-Nutty Matchsticks	29	Entrée	Y	N	Y	Y	620	2594	124	437
Packit Primavera	27	Entrée	Y	N	Y	N	550	2301	122	431
Happy Fella PestoBella	25	Entrée	Y	N	Y	Y	650	2720	144	510
Basil Walnut Penne	24	Entrée	Y	N	Y	Y	650	2720	130	459
Hop Pea Slop	24	Entrée	N	Y	N	Y	490	2050	129	455
Backpack Chili Mac	23	Entrée	Y	N	Y	N	510	2134	90	391
Lickety-Split Lentils	22	Entrée	Y	Y	N	Y	570	2385	114	402
Split Pea Soup	23	Soup	Y	Y	N	Y	350	1464	100	354
Chickpea Sesame Zetti	22	Entrée	Y	N	Y	Y	650	2720	127	450
Cozy Curry Soup	22	Soup	Y	N	N	Y	450	1883	113	397
Pierogi Pouch	22	Entrée	Y	N	Y	N	500	2092	125	441
Switchback Soup & Stuffer	20	Entrée	Y	Y	N	N	400	1674	114	403
Blackened Quinoa	20	Entrée	Y	N	N	Y	570	2385	127	447
Cheesy Sierra Couscous	20	Entrée	Y	Y	Y	N	420	1757	120	423
Golden Forest Couscous	20	Entrée	Y	N	Y	Y	370	1548	106	373

List and Features of Outdoor Herbivore's Highest Protein Meals

24 grams of protein in this pouch of Sunrise Tofu Scramble!

High Protein Breakfasts

A list of Outdoor Herbivore’s single-serving breakfasts containing 20 grams or more from protein based on a recommended intake of 50 grams per day for adults.

Product Name	Protein (g)	Meal Type	Requires Boiling Water	Good for Cold Soak	Contains Gluten	Vegan	Total Cal (kcal)	Total kJ	Cal (kcal) per Oz	Cal (kcal) per 100g
Sunrise Tofu Scramble	24	Breakfast	Y	Y	N	Y	260	1088	118	417
Toasted Sunburst Muesli	21	Breakfast	N	Y	N	Y	600	2510	120	423
Cereal-ously Nutty Nana	20	Breakfast	Y	Y	N	Y	540	2259	123	433
Denver Veggie Scramble	20	Breakfast	Y	N	N	N	300	1255	136	481

List and Features of Outdoor Herbivore's Highest Protein Breakfasts

How Much Protein

The National Academy of Medicine recommends adults get 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight daily, or about 35 grams per 100 pounds. [1]

For a 140-pound person, this equals about 50 grams daily.
For a 200-pound person, this equals about 70 grams daily.

There is no single ideal protein amount. Protein needs vary by age, activity level, weight, and health status. Active people often require more—typically 1–1.2 grams/kg for long-distance hikers and up to 2 grams/kg for athletes. Most active people get enough by eating three high-protein meals (40% or more daily value, or 20–30 grams per meal).

The USDA has an online calculator to help you estimate your general daily recommended intake.
Athletes should work with a registered dietitian to determine individual protein needs.

In Short

Some people are impressed that Outdoor Herbivore plant-based meals provide an exceptional amount of protein. Thanks to plants like beans and legumes, standout options like the Sunrise Tofu Scramble Breakfast and Pea-Nutty Matchsticks deliver a high protein content while keeping meals flavorful and satisfying.

Vegetarians can easily boost protein in any meal by adding soymilk powder, nuts, or seeds to cereals, beans or lentils to rice or pasta dishes, and snacking on garbanzo spread, nut butters, or hummus served with crackers/wraps. Single-serve nut butter packets, peanut butter powder, roasted chickpeas, and edamame are also great options for the trail.

For high-protein, meat-free meals on the go, Outdoor Herbivore delivers on taste and nutrition.

Outdoor Herbivore