Hikers often report feeling mentally and physically better when on a gluten-free or gluten-light diet while on the trail. However, gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, can be challenging to eliminate. Gluten is present in most high-carbohydrate backpacking foods, such as pasta and rice meals, cereals, and packaged snacks. Preparation is key when it comes to gluten-free backpacking food. Before embarking on your journey: Take the time to plan your meals and snacks carefully. Consider factors such as caloric density and ease of preparation. Opt for lightweight, […]
Food
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Why not? Forget the rules while you are backpacking in the presence of the open sky. Muesli and granola cereal is fast to prepare, loaded with calories, and tastes great. Hikers eat energy bars, trail mixes, candy bars, and other packaged snacks for convenience. However, most snack foods offer zero nutrition, highly processed ingredients, added sweeteners, and an overabundance of sodium. So, the next time you need a quick and easy lunch or dinner meal that doesn’t require cooking, try cereal. Outdoor Herbivore makes calorie-dense muesli cereal with dried fruit, nuts, and […]
Quinoa (pronounced Keen-wah) is the edible seed from the quinoa plant, a plant related to spinach and chard. Although technically a seed, it is generally classified as a grain since its appearance is similar to the grains we are familiar with. What is so special about quinoa? Quinoa is a superfood that offers a wide range of benefits to our health. Some of the benefits of eating quinoa are: High Nutritional Value – Quinoa is rich in essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making it one of the most […]
Can I maintain my vegetarian/vegan diet on a thru-hike? This question is a common one that we get from backpackers planning a thru-hike. Some think a vegan won’t be able to finish their hike because they can’t consume enough calories or protein and will become weak and sickly. This is NOT true. You do not need to eat animal protein to finish any endurance activity. While hiking, the muscle continuously burns carbohydrates and fat as fuel, not protein. Like all other backpackers, vegans need to consume more calories from complex carbohydrates […]
You are excited about your upcoming backpacking trip but not the food preparation. You want to plan for the hike instead of preparing backpacking food, which, when done yourself, can take months. Making your backpacking food calls for considerable preparation. You must decide on a menu, purchase ingredients, prepare the meals, dry them using a dehydrator or freeze-dryer, measure and ration the portions, seal them into storage bags, and label the cooking instructions. Then, there is the concern about having packed enough food or too much. How will it taste – […]