How to Backpack With Healthy Food

When you decide to go backpacking, you must put together a food plan. You will want to pack healthy foods so that your body has enough energy to reach your destination and return again safely.

Things You'll Need

  • Meat in pouches
  • Oatmeal packets
  • Whole-grain oat cereal
  • Plastic zipper bags
  • Packaged fruit
  • Packaged veggies
  • Packaged nuts
  • Granola bars
  • Energy bars
  • Peanut butter crackers
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Instructions

    • 1

      Start with meats. The trick is to pack meats that are light so that they don't make your backpack heavy. Some of the healthiest meats are sold in pouches at your grocery store. You can purchase tuna, salmon and even chicken breasts in a pouch. These meats don't need to be refrigerated, and taste just as good at room temperature.

    • 2

      Add some oatmeal packets to your backpack. Oatmeal is a healthy and fulfilling breakfast. The packets don't weigh much and they won't take up a lot of room.

    • 3

      Pour dry whole-grain oat cereal into single-serving plastic zipper bags. You may not want to eat oatmeal for breakfast every day and this cereal is not only light but healthy.

    • 4

      Pick up some packages of nuts and add them to your bag. Nuts are an excellent source of protein and fat. Make sure you buy them in a package instead of a can, to reduce weight in your backpack.

    • 5

      Add some boxed, packaged or dried fruits and veggies. Some good choices are raisins, prunes or dehydrated bananas. These foods will last the duration of your trip without going bad as fresh produce would. It is also important that you eat plenty of fruit to stay healthy. Also, using packages instead of cans will reduce the weight you have to carry.

    • 6

      Pack granola bars and some energy bars. These bars contain a ton of healthy ingredients such as oats and nuts. Some of the bars can be eaten as lunch, but regular granola bars are suitable for an afternoon snack.

    • 7

      Throw some peanut butter crackers into your bag. It is too difficult to pack all of the items you need to make a sandwich, so peanut butter crackers are a great alternative.