There are a lot of things to consider when you are packing food for hiking. All your meals and snacks will have to be carried in your backpack so you will want to keep the weight of your food to a minimum. You will have different food requirements for a day hike than a multiple day hike. How you need to prepare your snacks or meals, how well the food travels, and how it tastes are all really important components for preparing food for hiking. The most important is making sure that the food you pack will supply the nutritional and caloric needs your body requires while hiking. Hiking is great exercise and can use up a huge amount of energy in your body so make sure you fuel your body well.

For an afternoon or day hike, you can get away with a lots less food than you would require for a multiple day hike. Food for hiking for a few hours is really just snacks and maybe some extra food for lunch. Trail mix with its nuts, dried fruits and chocolate provides calories and energy and is easily packed and carried.

Protein bars, dehydrated fruits and vegetables, crackers and hard cheese, even a candy bar like Snickers are all good choices for a short hike. If you are packing a lunch, prepackaged tuna and a pre cut bagel work really well to provide your body with carbohydrates and protein. Pre made sandwiches will work too since you will be eating them the same day - otherwise they don’t travel well.

If you are going to be hiking for multiple days, your food requirements are a bit more detailed. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks all need to be planned out before you go. It is easier in terms of space to repackage things in zip top bags - they can be labeled and also used to eat out of too, along with holding garbage after you are finished with them.

Food for hiking needs to be durable, keep prep time to a minimum, minimize garbage created and taste good. If you are going to be hiking for several days, packing a multi vitamin for each day is a good idea too - remember your body is working hard and needs to be fed nutrition so that it will not get tired.Your body will require far more calories than usual while hiking so it is wise to prepare your food for hiking well. Carbohydrates and protein supply energy and endurance for your body to use while it is exercising hard. Dizziness and fatigue can be easily avoided by providing your body with nutritional and tasty food for hiking.