How I Put Together a Backpacking Meal Plan for An Overnight Backpacking Trip

[@TheHungryHiker]

Interested in using Backcountry Foodie to help you put together a backpacking meal plan for your next trip? Click the link backcountryfoodie.com/aff/44/ and use coupon code “HUNGRYHIKER20” to get 20% off your membership.

[@williamriley5903]

What a wonderful new discovery of ...The Hungry Hiker. I look forward to learning !

[@TheHungryHiker]

Glad you enjoyed this one!

[@angel19642001]

It’s better to have more food or water than not to have what you need

[@TheHungryHiker]

I agree, but there's a fine line. I've been consistently overpacking my food for each of my trips and coming home with more food than I'd like. This is why I've been trying out different ways to be more efficient with the food and calories I pack. This way, I'm eating what I bring instead of carrying a bulk of it and then bringing it back home.

[@BADazzJewelryCo]

@@TheHungryHiker, according to REI, food, including extra food, is part of the 10 Essentials. At what point is extra food too much?

[@TheHungryHiker]

@@BADazzJewelryCo Yup! I know all about the 10 Essentials. I even made a video on them! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2jRnIepaph8d5o In terms of extra food, it usually means packing an extra meal or a couple of extra snacks, in case you get stuck out on trail longer than you originally anticipated. In my own experience, I've been coming home with way more than just an extra meal or a few snacks from my trips, so I decided to try focusing on scaling back the weight of my food bag so I'm not carrying a bunch of unnecessary food that I probably won't eat during my trip. Also trying to be more mindful not only with the amount of calories I pack, but also choosing healthier choices that don't break the bank. Backcountry Foodie helped me achieve my backpacking food goals on this trip!

[@SophisticatedDogCat]

No, not true. You want a balance. Carry what you need and maybe an extra couple of Cliff Bars or something. It’s also dangerous to be carrying unnecessary weight in a bad/emergency situation that could tire you out quicker. The Hungry Hiker has done the PCT and many more trails, probably way more than you’ll do in a life time. She’s the subject matter expert here and not you, so fall in line and take notes.

[@Mike___Kilo]

Those recipes look delish!

[@TheHungryHiker]

They are so tasty!!

[@makethepart]

What a great overview! Love the MFT

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you!! I love this area too!!

[@jpriddle]

Thanks for taking the time to walk through such thorough meal planning. Looks great! And by putting in the work, it looks like it gave you more confidence on the trip! I used to overpack my backpacking food as well. It’s just one of the many fears we get to confront and learn how to overcome through experience. I confronted it by purposely not packing a days worth of food on a weekend front country trip (low risk). Sure I was a bit hungry, but afterward I knew that it wasn’t the end of the world and what to expect. Now I pack an extra ramen packet, ounce of olive oil and peanut butter packet as a buffer. The electrolytes are a good call, too!

[@TheHungryHiker]

Packing an extra ramen is always a great idea!

[@jameshiggins-thomas9617]

I'm with you on overpacking food. Especially for "short" trips (< wk). Partly (mostly) because I'm simply not hungry enough the first few days and I've not found snacks I really like. Things start to change with longer durations (hunger works!), but snacking remains a challenge 😋

[@TheHungryHiker]

I'm the same way!

[@TheFruitingChamber]

I’d love to go backpacking with my kid or just day hikes and eating. We walk a trail between 2 cities and mountain bike together I need to start buying gear to do this!

[@cami-loo108]

I really enjoy your content

[@TheHungryHiker]

Thank you!! Glad you enjoy my videos.

[@dannygrissom754]

I always pack for atleast 1 day more than I plan on being gone just in case something goes wrong!

[@TheHungryHiker]

I agree. Packing an extra day's worth of food is considered part of the 10 Essentials. I've been finding myself packing WAY MORE than that so I wanted to focus on being more mindful with the calories I pack and how many snacks I throw in, in an effort to help reduce my food bag weight. I found Backcountry Foodie to be really helpful with that and the recipes are tasty!

[@lanecountybigfooters]

I pack two extra-large Payday bars at 500-calories each as "extra" meals, 2 bouillon cubes and extra coffee. I can survive an extra day and while it weighs a smidge, it takes up very little room.

[@lucyalderman422]

A few snacks or an extra roman noodle is not over packing just think if the weather turns sour and you need to shelter in place for a day you won’t starve yourself few people will die if they go 24 hours without a meal but when you are putting out the energy of hiking you do need the extra food you would be really uncomfortable without it

[@TheHungryHiker]

I completely understand, but there have been many times where I've come back from a trip with way more than just an extra meal or a couple snacks. For me, it's all of the "Just Because" snacks I decide to add in at the last minute (and end up never eating on my trip) that make my food bag weigh more than it should. As for needing more calories, this is why you should always pack for the type of hike you'll be doing, which is where this Calorie Counter really comes in handy when putting together a Backpacking Meal Plan.

[@matthewrick]

I’m a fan of cutting weight where I can. If that means skipping lunch on the day I hike out, I’m all about it! You’re not going to starve if you have to go half a day without food while hiking downhill people 😊

[@TheHungryHiker]

BINGO!! THIS is exactly why I always come home with extra food. On any last day of a backpacking trip, I tend to not stop for as many breaks (if I take any breaks at all) and/or eat any of the food in my food bag on my hike out because I'm usually on a mission to get the trailhead so I can have a yummy meal in town that doesn't require boiling water. And if the hike out is mostly downhill, I get the trailhead even faster. :) Also, on my longer trips, it's always hard for me to gauge just how hungry I'm going to be on the first few days of being out there. I tend to not be nearly as hungry as I think I'm going to be when I first start a (big) trip.

[@rachelwhite1702]

Sorry but I disagree, I get light headed and wobbly if I miss a meal so wouldn’t want to risk that while out hiking! 😂

[@BADazzJewelryCo]

I always love your videos. Do you have any about staying safe on trail or recommendations for videos out there about this very thing? I had a really weird experience on trail the other day that shook me up pretty bad and has left me scared to hike alone. I’d love some guidance on staying safe as a female hiker. I know your Solo Female Backpacker program could be very helpful but I just can’t afford it. I tried to make it work in my budget but it life circumstances changed and I live paycheck to paycheck with no wiggle room. So any advice would be appreciated.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Great topic (and really important)! I actually have a "How To Stay Safe While Hiking Solo" video coming up soon so stay tuned.

[@sheilahenry7279]

I’m the same. Invite me & other like-minded we’ll go together. I like to hike alone & privacy but yet have comfort of another person for safety.

[@henrikhagglund]

Tell us the story about the “dalahäst” behind you on the counter (the little red horse) 😅

[@TheHungryHiker]

It was a gift from a certain Swede whom I thru-hiked the PCT with. :)

[@jessicathompson236]

Have you ever tried HU chocolate or Fillo walking tamales (they have savory ones and sweet ones) and their meals? The HU dark chocolate gems are vegan and they are so good. A 3.5 oz packet comes out to 594 calories (I did the math) Their cashew butter and chocolate bars are also very good. (But I don't think those are vegan, although I'm pretty sure they are working towards that. Some of the fillo meals are vegan and some are not. Their walking tamales are each 4 oz and between 250 and 360 calories There are also alot of great vegan snack bars. Folks might also want to check out larabars and larabar kids treats.

[@amyvaughn2213]

Do you have a favorite hiking shoe?

[@TheHungryHiker]

I've been wearing the Altra Lone Peak 7 Trail Running Shoes for the last year and really love them! alnk.to/3TZPaNT

[@CaroElena]

Any recommendations for BIKEpacking?

[@TheHungryHiker]

I don't bikepack so I wouldn't have any recommendations for you. Sorry. Not my expertise.

[@garyantley]

well now i think you cost me membership money. i fight with making the meal plan, then the shopping list, and mostly having the directions on what i planned. i think this may make the whole process easy. i do have a couple crazy things i always want on the plan like my oatmeal mix, my chicken enchiladas made with chili cheese Fritos, and dont forget chicken and Knorr's rice..... need to look into the options to see if i can add that to the list.... looks like i can with the full membership.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Sorry, not sorry! :) I know all too well the amount of time and energy that goes into building a backpacking meal plan from scratch. That's why making this video featuring Backcountry Foodie was a no brainer to me. Backcountry Foodie combines ALL of these steps and more into one login, making the whole process so much more easy when planning for a trip. On top of that, the recipes in the Backcountry Foodie database are really tasty and healthy, giving you endless options on ways to substitute each recipe to meet your dietary needs.

[@1DrBar]

I'm only confused by one thing. Highly confused. Are you suggesting that it's possible to go hiking, survive and even enjoy one's self without packing beer? I find that difficult to believe. ;)

[@TheHungryHiker]

😂😂 Yes, absolutely. I’m not a beer drinker, BUT I enjoy rootbeer!

[@huntsman4683]

How about GMO?

[@TheHungryHiker]

What about it?

[@roebucksadventure]

i'm going on a 4 day 3 night trip. I want to make pizza but not sure if I can bring something like string cheese. Can you give me some advise on what cheese to use and what type of cheese to bring.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Wow! Making pizza out on trail? That sounds like quite the tasty project! I recommend packing a hard cheese when out in the backcountry because hard cheese tends to last longer. You can get prepackaged cheese sticks too. Just make sure to keep them in their original packaging so they will last longer for you while you're out there. Good luck!

[@joeholm4591]

leftover cookies, an oxymoron.

[@TheHungryHiker]

Hahahaha!!