Camping, hiking, and backpacking requires a lot of preparation. Usually, fine dining is not an option. Making quality, varied meals can be difficult, but you don't necessarily need a lot of equipment to make healthy and delicious canoe trip remote campsite meals.

Although it may be tempting to pack everything, camping trips require careful planning. Are you up for long hikes every day, or will you stick around the campsite most of the time? 

Packing the right food is key to a successful camping trip. Nutritional and caloric requirements dictate what food you buy, prepare, and bring. What makes for good hiking food? Shelf-stable, lightweight, nutritionally packed and complete, and requiring little or no cooking are ideal meals. You might think that canned goods don't take up much space, but they do.

Planning an ideal camping trip requires more than just packing the kitchen sink. Do you go for long hikes every day? Would you rather take gentle trails and relax around the fire? Smart camping food is portable, nutritious, and easy to prepare.

Adapting the basics for the perfect Canoe Trip Remote Campsite Meals

Four or five ingredients can make a decent dinner. The key is to prepare meals ahead of time. Dry ingredients abound. Ramen noodles are great. Noodles provide the base, bouillon adds fat, and some dry vegetables provide taste. Just add water. You can do more with it, by adding vegetables, chicken, or even an egg.

You can easily prepare dishes that are easy to carry on the trail. It still requires a different way of thinking. Choose ingredients carefully. Make a variety of tasty meals. Take into consideration how you'll prepare those foods.

Essentially, all you have to do is boil water for a moment or two and let it cook the food for you. So, bringing partially cooked or dried foods will be helpful. Freeze-dried meat, on the other hand, can be cooked in boiling water.

 Here are some of the ingredients that will take next to no effort on the trail and will not spoil easily.

Meals you can prepare in advance

You can bring some comfort to the great outdoors by preparing meals ahead of time. Make your trip more enjoyable by preparing before you leave. 

This way, you'll have more time to spend with your friends or family.

Chicken, tuna, and salmon packets

When planning a hike, always opt for light protein options like chicken, tuna, or salmon. Protein pouches provide protein and healthy fats and make a convenient portable snack. Using packets instead of tins saves space and weight. Moreover, you won't have to bring a can opener or worry about draining cans.  

Simple meals that only require water

When you prepare "just add water" meals, you will have virtually unlimited food choices on your backpacking trip. Plus, they're delicious.

They are both nutritious and satisfying. They reduce travel anxiety as well as make cooking easier. The extra time you'll have to spend at home before you hit the road will be well worth the comfort and convenience it will provide.

Granola, energy and meal bars, trail mix, nuts, and dried fruit

Bars are great backpacker food. Many of these options are lightweight, nutritionally-dense, and can keep you going when you're hiking or need a shot of energy before you start. 

When it comes to backpacking foods, weight is crucial, and it's difficult to beat the mix of being light in your pack while yet being calorie-dense when you need to refuel. Trail mix, nuts, and dried fruit, another camping favourite, are a smart way to keep some energy on hand. A trail mix containing nuts is high in protein, fat, and calories, while dried fruits provide carbohydrates that keep you energised during your hike. Make your own or buy them—either way, they fit easily in backpacks and don't take up a lot of room or weight.

Dried Meats and Beef Jerky

Some of the most classic hiking food options are beef jerky and dried meats. Salami, summer sausage, and various varieties of jerky are hard, dried meats that don't need to be refrigerated or heated. Whether you're hiking in the woods or recharging back at your campsite, they provide you with a quick protein supply. 

Peanut Butter and Almonds

Peanut butter and almond butter are the ultimate backpacking snacks because they have it all: calories, fat, protein, carbohydrates, and sodium. Taking a jar of it camping isn't the best idea. Packets of peanut butter, almond butter, and other nut butters are easy to find in any store. By combining them with jelly or honey packets, you can make a PB&J sandwich without making a mess.

Hummus Powder

Powdered hummus isn't a common travel snack, but it's a great choice. Hummus is high in protein and healthy fats, and it can be eaten with tortillas, pretzels, vegetables, or as a dip. You can make a light meal that keeps you going by mixing water with powdered hummus (and olive oil if you have any). 

Oatmeal with Granola

Keep instant oatmeal and cereal in your backpack. In just minutes, make an oatmeal snack or breakfast by adding hot water to the packets. Alternatively, you can use powdered milk or dried milk, which is light and simple to mix into porridge.

Like trail mix, granola is essential for hiking and paddling. It can be eaten alone or with powdered milk to create a cereal.

You shouldn't forget to eat when hiking or paddling. You need nutrition to enjoy your trip, but choosing what to pack that won't weigh you down can be difficult. In terms of backpacking food ideas, it's best to think of light, easy-to-pack foods that provide enough macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fat) while providing enough calories to keep you going all day.

Image c/o Pixabay Canoe Trip Remote Campsite Meals Made Easy