Staying Healthy On Trail

If you’re like me, nutrition is one of your main concerns when you’re planning your backcountry expeditions. At home I am used to eating fresh fruits and vegetables, something I miss when I’m backpacking. My goal is to come up with better ways to stay healthy on trail and increase the amount of whole foods I carry with me.

Prepackaged “trail food” (bars, gels, dehydrated meals, etc) are convenient, lightweight and calorie dense - a logical choice for any backpacking adventure. However, these are often highly processed foods, and don’t have to be the only choices in your pack.

Consider the length and
location of your trip.

• How many days of food will I need to carry?
• How remote is the location?
• Will I have access to grocery stores?

The Sea to Sea (S2S) route is relatively short (150 miles or 5-7 days) and passes through several towns with grocery stores. This will allow me to resupply locally, in towns, and pack out more fresh, whole foods.

Below I share details about what I am bringing for this trip, and a little bit about what inspired my choices. All of my trail food (and home food) is vegan and has been that way for 17 years. Although I am sharing some information about health, I am by no means a health expert, nor do I think that there is one diet that is right for everyone. Feel free to comment below if you have a thought to share or have any questions for me!

Choose your prepackaged foods wisely!

Energy bars are quick and easy snacks that you can toss in your bag, and by choosing your bars carefully, they can be a great addition to any backpacking food plan.
Search for REAL foods in the ingredient list such as fruits, seeds or nuts. Avoid bars with added sugars and processed ingredients.
Heather’s Choice is a great example of what I’m looking for in my trail food.

Heather’s Choice is a recent discovery of mine and I am so glad to have them! They are a small company out of Alaska and specialize in protein-rich, gluten-free, dehydrated meals and snacks. The breakfast meals and “Packaroons” are their vegan options, and both come in a variety of delicious flavors, including lemon lavender, spiced cocoa, orange vanilla, and black espresso. The “Packaroons” are a perfect example of what I look for in backpacking snacks. The ingredients are simple and nutritious, they are lightweight, and they take up very little space in my backpack!

It’s also important to find bars that come in a variety of flavors- if you are bored with your food, you won’t eat it and if you don’t eat, you won’t have energy to hike!

Fruits and Vegetables

When it comes to getting great nutrients, there is no substitute for fresh fruits and vegetables. For backpacking, I consider the shelf life of the food as well as its durability.
Does it have a thick exterior? Will it make a mess in my bag if its squished? After all, nobody wants to end a 20-mile strenuous hiking day to find a squished banana or moldy bread in their food bag! Every trip is an opportunity to learn and grow. through trial and error.

Dehydrating can be a great way to pack out fruits and veggies. Dehydrated foods have a longer shelf life and are much more lightweight. But be prepared to spend some prep time in advance! Below are images of bananas, oranges, and lemons that I am dehydrating for Sea 2 Sea!