When Backpacking When planning backpacking meals first consider nutritional value. Carbohydrates are found in candy, vegetables, fruit and cereals. They are quick energy producers and good trail snacks. Other sources of carbohydrates are bagels, rice and pasta. That's why a protein-rich breakfast and lunch are important for heavy exertion backpacking trips.
Fats are important when the weather is cold and damp.
They are found in cooking oils, butter, margarine, cheese, salami, pork, beef, ham, nuts and chocolate. Backpacking foods can be fresh, freeze-dried, dehydrated or a combination of these. Dehydrated foods can be dried by any a conventional oven set at a low temperature, a commercial dehydrator that uses warm blown air to remove moisture. Dehydrated foods taste fresher than freeze-dried foods. Both are lightweight and portable as are instant foods, such as macaroni, scalloped potatoes, packaged soups, hot and cold cereals, pancake and muffin mixes, grains and raisins.