Surviving the Wilderness with a 4-Day Backpacking Meal Plan
Heading out for a backpacking trip into the wilderness is an invigorating experience that offers a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. However, when it comes to food, it can be challenging to maintain a balanced diet and enough energy for the grueling adventure. That is why we have created an easy-to-follow 4-day meal plan that will provide you with the necessary sustenance to keep you going on your backpacking journey.
Day 1: Breakfast
Start your day right with energy-boosting oatmeal, topped with dried fruit and nuts. Furnish your body with high energy intake and slow-burning carbohydrates, letting your muscles perform optimally. Avoid sugars that will leave you with an energy crash later in the day.
Day 1: Lunch
For lunch, you can prepare a turkey wrap, using tortillas filled with turkey, cheese, lettuce, and mayo. It’s best to use shelf-stable cheese packs and sandwich meat if you’re planning the trip for many days. This will provide your body with the necessary protein and carbohydrates to continue.
Day 1: Dinner
Prepare a pasta meal combined with veggies like carrots, tomatoes, onions, and broccoli drizzled with some olive oil. You can also switch the pasta for rice if you prefer. It’s a simple meal that will provide you with the necessary nutrients and energy for a good night’s rest.
Day 2: Breakfast
On Day 2, start your day off with a pancake! You might think pancakes take too much time, but pre-made mixes are available that require minimal work in most stores and online retailers. Top it off with peanut butter and banana to provide your body with high-energy intake and some protein.
Day 2: Lunch
For lunch, go for a trail mix filled with dried fruits and nuts. This will provide you with the energy needed to push on through the day.
Day 2: Dinner
For dinner, cook up a packaged beef stew, adding in some veggies like carrots and potatoes. It’s a high-energy and warm meal that will keep you warm throughout the night.
Day 3: Breakfast
Day 3 is a new day, and breakfast is back to oatmeal. Add some chia seeds and honey to give that extra honey punch for energy needed to keep going.
Day 3: Lunch
For lunch, make some dehydrated beef or chicken cooked via boiling water, adding other complementary dried food for variety. It’s another simple meal that will provide you with the necessary amount of protein and carbs to continue.
Day 3: Dinner
Change it up and try a backpacker’s classic night – mac and cheese. It’s an easy meal that will provide you with the necessary energy for the next day.
Day 4: Breakfast
Finally, end your journey with breakfast. On Day 4, have a granola bar and finish off with some apples. This will allow you to reduce some weight from bulky food items while still providing you with good energy.
Conclusion
Overall, a backpacking meal plan can be as simple as stocking up on pre-packaged food or taking the time to dehydrate your food. It is essential to remember that a balanced meal is necessary to maintain your stamina and energy, which is critical while out in the wilderness. By following this meal plan, you will have an incredible hiking experience, and your taste buds will be in for a treat.
