My 4 Day Backpacking Meal Plan

Post by Olivia Martino Blodgett, Registered Dietitian and Owner

In preparation for a recent backpacking trip I spent some time searching the internet for help with meal planning.  I was really surprised by the lack of creative, healthy ideas out there and did not want to settle for the ready prepared freeze dried meals that most sources were suggesting.  As soon as I saw the word hydrogenated on the label for a breakfast skillet I knew I could do better. Plus, I was going to be traveling with a vegetarian and most of those meals contain meat.  So, here is the meal plan I came up with!  We didn’t sitck to it to a T and ended up having quite a bit of food leftover, but I would always rather be more prepared than being left hungry!  We were really happy with the variety of flavors, the ease of preparation and the feeling of satiety we received from these meals. Happy trails!!!

Day 1

We did quite a bit of driving and then a hike in to set up camp and did not arrive until dinner time, so only needed to pack one meal for this day.

Dinner: Chana Masala and Kashmir Spinach over Brown Rice and Lentils (all Tasty Bite brand, purchased at Fred Meyer)

Day 2

Breakfast: Homemade granola, dehydrated milk (Fred Meyer), freeze dried blueberries (Trader Joes), instant coffee (Alpine Start brand, purchased at REI)

Lunch: Lavash Bread (Trader Joes), Peanut Butter Packet (Justin’s brand purchased from New Seasons) and flattened banana (Trader Joes)

Snacks: Lara Bar

Dinner: Thai Cashew Curry and Asian Vegetable Rice (Tasty Bites)

Day 3

Breakfast: Homemade granola, dehydrated milk, freeze dried strawberries (Trader Joes), instant coffee 

Lunch: Lavash Bread, Peanut Butter Packet, and flattened banana (Trader Joes)

Snacks: Dried Mango (Trader Joes), Oven Baked Cheese Bites (Trader Joe’s)

Dinner: Black Beans and Rice (Fred Meyer) with Dehydrated Guacamole (REI)

Day 4

Breakfast: Dehydrated Egg Crystals (REI), with leftover guacamole and crumbled oven baked cheese bites; instant coffee 

Lunch: Lavash Bread, Peanut Butter Packet, and flattened banana 

Snacks: Mixed Nuts

Dinner: Bombay Lentils with Moroccan Pilaf (Tasty Bites)