Food

67 posts

Backpacking Food Choices Diabetics

Exploring Backpacking Food Options for People with Type 2 Diabetes

Consuming a surplus of calories long-term leads to the accumulation of fat in the liver and pancreas that causes type 2 diabetes (T2D). Any activity that decreases intra-organ fat can put diabetes into remission. Backpacking is an excellent activity for people with diabetes. It’s a moderately intense aerobic activity that reduces weight and builds muscle mass, improving insulin sensitivity and lowering blood glucose. In fact, for every 10% increase in muscle mass, you get an 11% reduction in insulin resistance.[1] With some planning, you can find trail food to keep blood sugar levels in check. Here are some suggested diabetic-friendly […]

food dye in backpacking food

The Hidden Risks of Food Dyes in Packaged Backpacking Meals

Food additives are commonly used to prevent or slow spoilage during storage, preserve vitamin content, or alter food’s appearance, taste, and texture. Food coloring is a type of additive that is functionally unnecessary — its sole purpose is to make food appear more colorful. Unsurprisingly, food dye is common in mass-produced packaged foods that you might be tempted to take backpacking. Common “backpacking” foods containing food dye include packaged food containing dried fruit and vegetables, cheese mix, butter powder, and gelatin. This includes – Pasta dishes Rice dishes Soup mix Trail mix Granola bars & Pop tarts Cheese-flavored chips and […]

wild blackberries

Identifying Edible Berries on U.S. Hiking Trails

Hiking trails in the United States offer an abundance of edible berries that are great for raw snacking. They add fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants to your trail diet. Blueberries, blackberries, huckleberries, mulberries, raspberries, and strawberries, are just a few examples of the delicious and nutritious berries you may encounter. If you’d like to try foraging wild berries, here’s what you need to know about identifying them, when they typically ripen, and where you’ll most likely find them. Blackberries Blackberries are easy to spot because the fruit is aggregated, meaning each berry contains a cluster of tiny round berries. Blackberries […]

bulk backpacking foods outdoor herbivore

Easy DIY Backpacking Meals Using Bulk Dried Foods

Are you looking to make delicious, lightweight, and nutritious backpacking meals for your next hike? Creating your own backpacking food can make all the difference since you can control the portion size, ingredients, spice level, and sodium. Dehydrate or freeze-dry your meals to make them lightweight and shelf-stable. No drying equipment? Making your backpacking meals at home doesn’t necessarily mean having to cook and dehydrate/freeze-dry all your food. Buying pre-cooked and dried bulk ingredients can save time and money on long hikes – simply portion the pre-dried ingredients and mix them into satisfying meals. Here’s a selection of instant bulk […]

backpacking soup

Stay “Souper” Warm | Why Soup is the Ultimate Winter Backpacking Fuel

When your fingers and toes become frosty after trekking through a day of sloshy, snow-covered ground, nothing sounds better than digging into a hot meal next to a toasty campfire. Yet, winter conditions often make it problematic for making a fire. That soggy kindling just isn’t going to fuel a fire. Your next best option? Pitch the tent before the evening light fades to darkness and snuggle up with a piping-hot pouch of soup! Chase that soup with a side of hot cocoa or apple cider, and your spirits will soar. Here are a few reasons why soup makes the […]