Staying fed on the trail

It’s easy to forget about the basics when you’re focused on getting off the grid, but staying fed and healthy is a big part of the equation. When going off the grid, you’ll need to make sure you’ve got enough food to keep you energized. So, how do you stay fed when you’re far from the nearest grocery store?

It all starts with planning. You can’t just grab some snacks and expect them to hold you over for days. You need to think about both quantity and quality. You’ll want a good mix of high-calorie, lightweight foods that are easy to carry. Heavy cans and fragile items don’t belong in your pack. Instead, focus on dehydrated meals, jerky, and a variety of trail snacks.

Dehydrated meals are your best bet for easy-to-cook, lightweight food. Companies that specialize in outdoor gear, like Mountain House, offer a wide range of freeze-dried meals that just need hot water. These meals cover all the basics: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From scrambled eggs and oatmeal to pasta dishes and curries, there’s something for everyone. They’re easy to pack, require little prep, and give you the calories and nutrients you need to fuel long days of hiking or exploring. Mountain House even has a cheesy pepperoni pizza bowl, as well as a dehydrated ice cream sandwich.

Make it at home

If you’re looking to avoid the packaged meals and go for something more homemade, consider preparing your own dehydrated meals ahead of time. It’s actually a pretty fun activity, and you can tailor the meals to your personal tastes. You can dehydrate everything from soups to stews to pasta sauces. Just be sure to pack the necessary seasonings, so your meals don’t taste too bland when you’re out in the wild.

For snacks, you’ll want things that are both light and calorie-dense. Think nuts, trail mix, energy bars, and dried fruit. Peanut butter is another great option because it’s rich in fat and protein and can be eaten straight from the jar or spread on crackers. Don’t forget about granola either. It’s filling, lightweight, and can be eaten with powdered milk or mixed into yogurt if you’re carrying a little extra weight.

Now, if you want to get a little fancier and go beyond just munching on bars and nuts, you can also bring along a portable stove or campfire cooking equipment. A small camp stove is perfect for boiling water for dehydrated meals or even cooking up a hot meal if you’re staying in one spot for a while. The stove can also be used to heat up canned goods or even cook fresh fish or meat if you’re able to catch or hunt while you’re out there.

You may prefer an open fire, built with wood you find around the campsite, but open fires are prohibited in many national and state forests. That’s why I always carry a Jetboil Flash. It’s allowed where open fires are not, it’s lightweight, packs within itself, is super simple to use, and boils water amazingly fast.

Fresh food like vegetables or fruits can be a bit of a challenge when you’re out in the wild, but it’s not impossible to make it work. Some fruits, like apples and oranges, can hold up for a few days if stored properly. You can also carry things like carrots or bell peppers, which are hearty enough to last a little longer without refrigeration. If you’re heading out for a longer period of time, consider dehydrating your fruits and veggies at home before your trip. You can then add them to your meals to give them a little more variety and nutrition.

Water is also a key factor to keep in mind. You can’t just pack it all in, so you’ll need to know where your water sources are. A good filtration system or water purification tablets are a must. Hydration is essential for staying energized and avoiding fatigue, so always have a plan for collecting water during your trip. I use a Sawyer Squeeze Water Filtration System, which consists of a soft, packable 1-liter bottle, along with a water filter that removes 99.99 percent of bacteria, plus 100 percent of microplastics. The whole system is small and packable, and the filter is good for purifying up to 100,000 gallons of water, so you can use it over and over.

Catch your own

Another great thing about off-the-grid trips is that you might have the chance to catch your own food. Fishing is an obvious option if you’re near a river, lake, or stream, and with the right gear, you can reel in some fresh fish for dinner. If you’re a hunter, you might be able to bag a rabbit, squirrel, or even bigger game, depending on where you’re camping, and what’s in season. Just be sure you know the regulations for hunting and fishing in the area you’re visiting.

One of the simplest ways to stay fed, though, is by packing a little bit of everything. A combo of easy-to-make meals, snacks for the trail, and maybe a few items you can cook up over a fire or stove is your best bet. As long as you have a solid variety, you’ll be able to switch things up and avoid meal fatigue. Trust me, eating the same meal over and over can quickly get old, so bring a variety of tastes and textures to keep your meals interesting.

And don’t forget the seasoning. When you’re off the grid, your meals are going to taste way better with a little flavor boost. Carry a small container with your favorite spices, hot sauce, or even olive oil to add some extra flavor. It can make a huge difference when you’re sitting down to eat after a long day on the trail.

Make sure to keep a backup plan in case something goes wrong. If your stove breaks, having extra food that doesn’t require cooking, like energy bars or nuts, will keep you going in case of emergencies.

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