Backpacking Food

By Scott Marley

If you've decided to give Ibiza a miss this year and instead hit the great outdoors, you should note it will take more than a few pot noodles to help you get by. Here are some survival tips... First off, only pack foods that you like, don't take food simply because it is easier to pack or will last longer; food you detest will taste twice as bad whilst on the trail. Instead make sure you pack plenty of comfort foods. Special treats, such as your favourite chocolate or coffee, which will perk you up even if the weather is dire, or the wind is against you. Make sure your provisions contain a variety of flavours and textures, as eating the same thing every day can become crushingly dull. It's easy to plan for variations in taste (salty, sweet, spicy) as it is for texture (chewy, crunchy, lumpy, smooth). Pack both foods with carbohydrates and Proteins. Boil in the bag rice, macaroni and cheese and your Pot Noodles will provide carbohydrates, while peanuts and tinned and dehydrated meats are packed with protein. Other foods you could take, include: powdered soup; powered mashed potatoes; oatmeal; muesli bars; dried fruit and Pringle crisps (so they won't get crushed). Of course you should take along extras that'll help spice up meal time. Try packing a selection of different herbs such as basil, oregano, parsley and powdered garlic. Carrots and onions pack well and stay fresh and other vegetables that you like can be pre-chopped the night before the trip and stored in a zip lock bag. Similarly, pre-grated cheese can be stored in the same way. Remember to pack vegetable oil for frying, store it in a small pump spray bottle and carry in a resealable plastic bag. When packing fruit remember that firm fleshed fruit such as oranges, survive longer than say bananas and pears. Also tortillas are much more sturdier than bread and make for better outdoor sandwiches.

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