Backpacking Meal Ideas: Pack Light, Pack Flavor, Pack Nutrition and Save Money

Backpacking vacations mean leaving most luxuries, and some necessities behind. Every year we choose to spend seven days of vacation time hiking the mountain wilderness areas of Colorado. Our backpacks hold a limited amount of gear. Our bodies can only take a limited amount of weight. Every year we get older and wiser when it comes to packing for our trip.

There is some gear we never want to be without. A good closed cell mattress means restful sleep no matter the terrain. Headlamps and a good flashlight so we do not miss anything in the dark. Bear canister to keep critters out of our food. Sleeping bag, tent, ponchos (it always rains at least one day), notebook and cameras are necessary. And there is one other thing, delicious, nutritious food.

The food we pack must deliver nutritional energy, be easy to fix with minimal clean up, and be meals we can look forward to after a hard day on the trail. Years of being our own best guinea pigs resulted in a menu for two people, for six days that fits inside a standard bear canister.

You will not find any freeze-dried backpacking foods on our menu. Frankly, we have found that the taste does not justify the high cost of those meals. We eat well, pack light, have easy clean up, and save money that can be spent at the closest restaurant after we get off the trail.

BREAKFAST --- The most important meal of the day. Time to get powered up for the day with something warm. All you need to do is boil water. Easy to do even if you are half-asleep.

Instant oatmeal -- Pick the flavor you like. Generally three packets for two people per day is enough. Put loose oatmeal in a zippered plastic bag. It packs real tight after squeezing the air out.

Dried fruit -- Figure a tablespoon per person. We love dried tart cherries or blueberries. Zippered plastic bag again.

Protein Powder -- Go to your local health food or nutrition stores and get some. It is mostly tasteless and your muscles will thank you for it. Put a teaspoons worth for each person per day in a small screw top plastic bottle.

Coffee -- Do not leave home without it. Take sugar and creamer in small screw top plastic bottles if you need it.