Top 20 Energy Foods For Hiking & Camping
Hiking has many advantages, including beautiful scenery, fresh air in your lungs, and the mental and physical benefits of exercise. Whether you’re planning a day trip to the coast, a quick ascent of your nearest peak, or a multi-day trek through a breathtaking national park, getting your hiking nutrition right can make or break a hiking or camping trip. Choosing the best hiking and camping foods is a balancing act. You require energy-dense foods that are nutritious and tasty while also being light and portable. Unlike running and cycling, you are not only concerned with fueling your effort. For day-long hikes, you will need to consider lunches and dinners while still out in the wilderness.
The best foods to bring on a hike are those that you can eat without cooking. You’ll be glad to have a quick lunch without having to stop and unload your pack, especially if you’re on a multi-day hike. A day hike will most likely end with you returning to your campsite or heading home, whereas a backpacking trip will end with you spending each day on the trail. Plan healthy and filling dinners for multi-day hiking trips to replenish your body and help rebuild your muscles.
Energy Food For Hiking & Camping
Whether you’re going on a quick afternoon hike or a week-long camping trip, bringing the right food can help you feel prepared and ready to tackle any trail or challenge. The best foods to eat while hiking will provide you with fuel to get you started, keep you going, and help you recover after a strenuous hike. Look for lightweight, filling, and nutritious snacks and meals to power you through even the most strenuous hikes or backpacking trips when planning food for long treks.
Top 20 Energy Food For Hiking & Camping
The best hiking foods are those that provide plenty of energy and make you feel full without weighing you down. Instead of fatty or sugary foods that can cause a crash or make you feel lethargic, opt for foods high in complex carbohydrates and proteins for all-day energy. You can power through a long day hike by eating small healthy snacks every few hours if you start your day with a healthy and protein-packed meal. Choosing nutritious and filling foods is also essential for powering through long or demanding hikes. The best food for long treks will be light, small, easy to eat, and nutritious.
Here are the top 20 energy foods for hiking and camping.
1.Granola
You can buy prepackaged granola or energy bars looking at the ingredients lists to pick one with as little added sugar as possible and ideally choose ones sweetened naturally with dried fruit. Or you can make them at home if you’re looking for something more nutritious. You can pick up Fit & Flex Granola, which is packed with fiber-rich nuts and seeds, baked, and made from nourishing oats to make sure you stay healthy and energetic. It will give you the carb-loading boost you need for activity, without extra sweeteners or preservatives.
2.Dry Foods
You can add dry foods such as rice, instant noodles, and soup mixes to your bag as they are excellent lightweight hiking foods that take up hardly any space in your backpack. When combined with dried vegetables, beans, or spices, these simple foods can get transformed into inventive meals.
3.Dehydrated Foods
Dehydrated or freeze-dried meals, while slightly more expensive than other options, provide excellent convenience. You can heat some water and enjoy a filling and calorie-dense meal.
Related Blog: List Of Dry Fruits To Add In Your Diet With Their Benefits
4.Nutrition Bars
Nutrition or energy bars are small and can provide a lot of protein and carbohydrates. Look for bars that contain vitamins and minerals, as well as healthy fats, to refuel your body. To reap the most benefits, you can choose nutrition bars free of added sugars and make of natural ingredients.
5.Fresh Fruits& Veggies
Fresh fruits and vegetables make a nutritious snack for day hikes or the first day of your backpacking trip. Toss some carrots or celery into your pack for a refreshing snack while climbing the mountain.
Related blog: List Of Seasonal Fruits In India And Their Benefits
6.Trail Mix
Trail mix is a traditional hiking snack that contains protein and healthy fats. Toss some dark chocolate or dried fruit into your trail mix if you have a sweet tooth, or stick to seeds and nuts if you prefer savory snacks.
7.Nuts And Seeds
Nuts and seeds offer healthy fats, a protein-rich concentration, and an outstanding calorie-per-ounce ratio, making them another of the popular hiking foods. You can find nuts and seeds in granola bars and nut butter, or you can eat them plain.
8.Hummus
Hummus is a healthy and energizing hiking snack because it is high in calories, carbohydrates, fiber, and protein. Hummus pairs well with fresh vegetables and can also be spread on crackers, tortillas, or bagels.
9.Dried Fruits
Dried fruits, as opposed to fresh fruits, are heat-stable and have a long shelf life. Dried fruit contains many of the same nutrients as fresh fruit and is a good source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and carbohydrates. Sun-dried raisins, for example, retain the minerals and antioxidants found in fresh grapes, including resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant that promotes heart health. Dried fruit is also compact and can easily get stored in a backpack or travel bag.
10.Nut Butter
Nut butter, such as peanut butter and almond butter, are delicious, nutritious foods popular among backpackers – as long as you stick to natural products that are free of added sugars and other unhealthy ingredients. Though most backpackers cannot transport a large jar of nut butter, nut butter packets or dehydrated nut butter are excellent alternatives. Nut butter is high in calories, healthy fats, and protein, all of which will help you stay fueled on the trail. Furthermore, they are versatile and can get added to a variety of meals and snacks.
11.Instant Oatmeal
When backpacking, instant oatmeal is a healthy and convenient option. Oatmeal is high in fiber, B vitamins, magnesium, and manganese, and it is a good source of carbohydrates. While some instant oatmeal products contain added sugar and artificial ingredients, and many others contain healthy ingredients with little to no added sugar. When you choose instant oatmeal with no added sugars, you can add healthful sources of natural sweetness, such as raisins or dried apples, to your meal. You can also add nuts, seeds, or nut butter to instant oatmeal for an extra boost of protein and healthy fats to keep you going throughout the day.
12.Cheese
Cheese, like many of these recommended foods, contains nutrients and is a good source of protein. Cheese goes well with fresh fruits and vegetables, jerky, or crackers for a quick snack, and you can add it to almost any meal for extra richness and flavor.
13.Powdered Milk
While fresh dairy products are not suitable for backpackers, powdered milk can provide a nutritious source of nutrients when refrigeration is not available. Powdered milk, like fresh milk, is high in protein, B vitamins, calcium, potassium, and phosphorus. It can also be a good source of calories for backpackers in harsh conditions. You can use powdered milk to supplement nutrition in instant oatmeal, dehydrated meals, and morning tea or coffee.
14.Canned Beans
Protein, fiber, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, and B vitamins are all found in beans. While canned beans can add a lot of weight to your backpack, beans in foil pouches are light and compact. Chickpeas, black beans, and kidney beans can be added to any meal and eaten hot or cold. Beans in foil packs have a long shelf life, making them an excellent choice for long expeditions.
15.Whole Grains
Whole grains such as oats, quinoa, farro, and buckwheat are high in fiber, complex carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. They are shelf-stable and portable, making them ideal for backpackers. Whole grains can be eaten at any time of day and are versatile.
16.Spices
Spices like garlic powder, turmeric, chili flakes, and paprika can enhance the flavor and depth of meals while also providing powerful nutrition benefits. Spices like turmeric and paprika are high in antioxidants, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.
17.Fruit Cake
Fruit cake is a perfect alternative to trail mixes and neat handfuls of dried fruit, with as many as 360 calories in a 100g slice, a long shelf life, and a pack-friendly density. If you want to boost your energy levels, iced and marzipan-coated fruit cake is a great option. However, it will not score as high in terms of health.
18.Dark Chocolate
Whether you mix some pieces with nuts, seeds, and dried fruit or enjoy a few squares as an after-hike treat, dark chocolate tastes better after a long day of hiking. Dark chocolate has a higher melting point than milk chocolate because it contains cocoa in a higher percentage than milk fat.
19.Pre-cooked Quinoa
Quinoa, for example, is high in fiber, which aids digestion – an issue that many people face when traveling, whether to a campsite or a spa. According to specific studies, one cup of quinoa contains nearly 5 g of fiber, which accounts for 18% of your daily value.
20.Electrolyte Tablets or Sachets
Consider your hydration levels if you’re hiking. Even at a leisurely pace, it’s an endurance test, especially when carrying equipment. Consider replacing electrolytes you may have lost through sweat in addition to water.
Summary
To stay healthy while backpacking includes getting enough sleep, avoiding alcohol, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious foods. Although several healthy foods must be refrigerated, there is a variety of shelf-stable, nutrient-dense options for hikers to appreciate on the trail. Dehydrated meals, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, nut butter, aged cheeses, and whole grains are just a few of the healthy backpacking options. Choose nutritious, portable foods as the best way to stay fueled no matter where you are or how long your trip is.It is a sure-shot way to stay stimulated on your hike and when you turn back towards your camping area to prepare yourself a meal.
Why Does Fit & Flex Granola Become A Perfect Pick For Your Hiking And Camping Trip?
If you are thinking of your next hike or camping trip, and have granola as one of the snacking options, Fit & Flex Granola is the perfect fit. It comes in several flavors, offering you the perfect snack option, as it is healthy and contains the right crunch you need to kick-start your day. Made of the finest ingredients and entirely baked, you can snack on them any time of the day or night. You can take them on your day hike or your camping trip. Either way, you can keep yourself energized and healthy all day long with Fit & Flex Granola! Here is where you can buy this healthy and nutritious snack shop granola at our online store.
