Foods on the Trail

Trail mix is honestly the first thing you’ll think of after reading this article’s title. But to be a little less cliche and a bit more creative, I’ve opted to come up with a list of snacks you can take with you while hiking that are filling, give a lot of energy, are small and inconspicuous enough to pack, and are dentist approved.

Note that serious hikers will likely care the most about conserving space in their packs, so dried food that can be cooked with water end up packing down the best and saving the most space. Some of these snacks may be better off for a single-day hike rather than a multi-day hike.

Without further adieu, here are a few snacks that make perfect on-the-go eats while you’re in the midst of wilderness and you’re craving something just after high noon. And like I mentioned before, these are all much healthier than other alternatives such as chips, candy, and even some of those high-calorie protein bars you see.

Jerky

Whether it’s venison, beef, turkey, or chicken, jerky is quite lightweight since all the water is removed from the meat. It also keeps extremely well and for a long time, and you’ll find that it lasts awhile while chewing on it so long as you don’t get carried away in eating too much. If you’re looking for a protein-packed snack that will boost your mood, excite your taste buds, and give you a little extra umph when you’re starting to tire, jerky is your best bet.

Seeds

Seeds are great because they don’t ruin your appetite but can satisfy any hunger pangs that you may have while your body is trekking along throughout the day. Opt for some sunflower seeds or kernels or even some pumpkin seeds if you’re looking for healthier variations of seeds. Try to stay away from artificially flavored sunflower seeds, though, as there is a lot of sodium, which can have adverse affects on your tired body while hiking.

Dried fruits

Sure, juicy and ripe fruits probably taste better and have a satisfying crunch to them when you bite in, but they take up a heck of a lot of space for a snack. Instead, opt for dried out fruits. While they won’t have the water content that regular fruits do, they’ll retain all of their healthy, nutritional value that will keep you energized for your hike.

If you do happen to take fruit that’s not dried out while you’re out in the great outdoors, do it on a day hike since you’ll have room to spare. The good thing about the food waste of fruit is that it’s au naturel. Feel free to toss your apple cores or banana peels, as they’ll be just fine decomposing in nature.