When a man has eaten nothing but freeze-dried meals for six straight days, he gets desperate and isn't about to let a few twigs,or thoughts of what ungulates may have done on that very spot, come between him and his fresh salad. I've avoided such desperate measures by including fresh food in my backcountry menus, much to the amazement and sheer delight of my companions. Fruits and vegetables provide vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and micronutrients found in no other backwoods victuals. Plus, biting into something juicy and sweet courtesy of Ma Nature enhances your physical and emotional well-being. You should see the smiles when I add finely sliced red bell pepper to a mundane bagel with cream cheese.
Happiness soars to a heavenly level.
The downside to fresh food, of course, is its short shelf life. Take away refrigeration and factor in a cramped pack, and you have a recipe for an unhealthy mess. There are ways around this, though. For instance, broccoli won't last two days in a warm climate, but cauliflower will stay firm for several days. Yes, they add weight to your pack, but they're the foods bursting with flavor.