Hiking Food!!!

MaddMaestro

Planning a 12 mile hike in a few weeks. First one ever! Need a breakfast meal, dinner meal, and snacks for the hills. The only restriction I have is refined sugar - just limited amounts and, I have no food allergies. Would prefer to not exceed 1800cals IF possible. It may not be - I don't have a habit of eating back exercise calories, but this will be an exception.

Please and thanks!!

rjan91

Nuts, protein shake, cheese strings, veggies and fruit. Not sure what you would want for a meal - sandwich? I don't imagine you want to add much weight (to your pack) as your water will probably do that for you!

Francl27

I'm never hungry when I go hiking, lol. I usually eat before the hike (my normal breakfast stuff, maybe a bit more), pack some string cheese, granola/fiber bars and fruit. Last time I made a ham and cheese wrap too and I didn't even eat half of what I had brought, but I guess it was only a 7.5 miles hike.

I usually eat a good meal in the evening though (usually done hiking by 3-4pm).

MelissaPhippsFeagins

Breakfast: I would eat oatmeal, bacon and eggs before I left home.
Snacks: trail mix, protein bars, cliff bars, Cheerios in a sandwich bag.
Lunch: string cheese, fruit, peanut butter crackers
Water, water and more water..

lightenup2016

We don't generally eat a lot when backpacking. I don't eat breakfast, but maybe protein bars? For snacks--trail mix (light on the nuts), bars, apple or dried fruit. Dinner--freeze-dried meal ($$$) or Ramen noodles ($).

Fujigala

Anything dry. I make my own trail mix. Granola bars, beef jerky. I also like to stop by aldi and make sandwiches using their pumpernickel and braunschweiger. Here in Florida it gets hot, so I bring salt sticks. I'll set an alarm for every half hour and take one stick and drink water. I also bring candy chews for a pick me up and in one bottle I freeze sweetened iced coffee. It will be perfect during the second half of the hike.

ladyreva78

Whatever strikes my fancy that's easily packed. I do make sure I take salty snacks though to even out electrolytes (I sweat a lot and my BP tends to be on the low side of normal). Other than that, if you can pack it and don't mind carrying it, it's good to go

rainbow198

That sounds like fun! I don't really don't get hungry. I would usually make my chocolate/banana/peanut butter protein shake before I go.

I would bring some homemade protein bars and maybe some fruit just in case I do get hungry and lots of water.

Then I would enjoy a big feast at home when I'm done!

Daddy78230

I occasionally do 8 mile hikes, with a group of friends, and I restrict my carbs (I'm type 2 diabetic). We hike at a moderate pace over rough terrain through rolling hills and it usually takes 3 -3.5 hours to complete (with a 15 minutes break). I usually bring handful of nuts and berries, and a lot water. I add a few dashes of potassium/sodium salt in my water for electrolytes... I'm more concerned about dehydration than being a little hungry. Dehydration sucks. Make sure you are well hydrated within a few days before the hike.

MaddMaestro

Wow I love all these stories and suggestions! Thanks guys!

AmyOutOfControl

For a day hike I usually bring portable fruit (apples, oranges, etc). If it is going to be over 8 miles I will bring almonds and peanut butter granola bars. Easy, light, and portable.

rsclause

Fruit and nuts are a good idea but I still enjoy Gorp. Its a mixture of M&Ms, salted peanuts and raisins. You will be burning some calories so you may want to add a few. Energy bars are also convenient.

whmscll

I'm an avid hiker and backpacker. For a 12 mile hike you need lots of carbs. If you are eating breakfast at home, have oatmeal and an egg or two. If on the trail, eat two hard boiled eggs and a piece of bread (or toast if you like cold toast) with pranut butter. For lunch, have a sandwich made with protein; tuna, turkey slices, peanut butter, whatever. With fruit, cheese/string cheese, maybe some hummus and carrots. For snacks I like Kind bars, nuts, beef jerky, dried fruit, sliced apples, mandarins/oranges (peel them at home). If you have time, make some banana-oatmeal protein cookies with dried fruit in them.