Backpacking Food for the Adventurer with a Sensitive Tummy!!!!
This is one of my ultimate favorite topics. And it wasn’t until a sweet client of mine. Sent me a panicked text.
“My boyfriend wants to go backpacking for a few days, but I am stressed there is nothing I can eat!! Do you know what kind of foods I should bring, or do you think it is not very possible?”
Okay, let me tell you. This is me, literally me 4 years ago. Yes, I said!!! Absolutely GO! And enjoy yourself!
This client of mine, we had been discussing a fairly regimented diet protocol. Yes, we could have sat and found the exact things to eat, following the protocol perfectly to the T. However, I sat thinking for a minute… does this help? Will the stress and worry, actually help this young gal? In my mind, no it won’t. So, there I gave her a handful of options for her adventure and thought, heck you might all need this information as well!!!
There are a lot a good options out on the market for the adventurer with a sensitive stomach, and dietary restrictions.
For myself- I found I tend to have the best reactions, when I make my own food for backpacking, however sometimes- that is not entirely possible and I am so grateful to be able to find options that my stomach can tolerate and leave me feeling satiated for my adventures!!
Please note: If you are new here please go download my Adventurous Eating - Ultimate Guide to Dehydrating your own food! As this will be so helpful for you to start creating your own food for backpacking and hiking!
https://www.amandanjohnson.com/freebies/free-adventurous-guide-to-dehydrating-your-own-food
Here are a list of my favorite meals/snacks I take backpacking!
Breakfast!! I love these Wild Zora Breakfasts!
https://wildzora.com/collections/all/products/new-cliffside-coconut-berry
Coffee- Four Stigmatic Latte Mix
https://us.foursigmatic.com/products/mushroom-coffee-latte-3-pack
Lunch- I like a simple lunch! Just a packet of tuna, some olives and hot sauce! Sprinkled with a little extra sea salt.
Snacks!! Honestly I like some bars, however honestly I do best with a homemade trail mix with dried fruit or an Epic Bar Meat Stick or beef jerky.
Check out my recent recipe for Rosemary & Olive Trail Mix!! It’s so good!
https://www.amandanjohnson.com/recipes/rosemary-and-olive-trail-mix
Another Simple Trail Mix-
Simple Trail Mix
Yes - You can buy premade trail mixes at the local market, I however like to make my own with soaked & sprouted seeds, and my own dehydrated fruit. Why? Soaked and sprouted seeds are easier on your digestive system, and when I dehydrate my own fruit I know there is no added oils and sugar which can be irritating on your tummy!
Trail Mix Deets://
Soaked & sprouted pumpkin & sunflower seeds - then sprinkled with sea salt
Walnuts
Handful of Trader Joe’s Fancy Trail Mix
Mixed dehydrated fruits - plums, apples, peaches & pineapple
Dinner!
Has been one of the hardest meals for me while backpacking! Years ago when I first started backpacking, I happened to be on a strict protocol of eating low fodmap’s, so that is when I had to teach myself how to be creative with my dehydrator. Even know, my body can handle dehydrated meals I can buy, my body still isn’t a huge fan of them after 2 nights on the trail.
Dehydrated Pulled Pork w/ White Beans & Kale
The dehydrated pork with beans and kale, turned out so dang good, who wouldn’t want to eat this while backpacking? Drizzled with some hot sauce? Yes please, sign me up!!
If you aren’t quite ready to start making your own dehydrated food, yet you are looking for high quality ingredients and/or your stomach is sensitive here are my two favorites!!
I love both of these products! Right now, the con with Heather’s Choice is her products have been sold out for weeks! So if you can get your hands on this delicious chowder go do it NOW. Pros: High fats, protein and balanced carbs. It’s a nutritional win!!
Wild Zora- Pro: Actually the flavor in this is delicious, high protein content and the carb content is good as well. My all time favorite is this is AIP Friendly! Meaning there is no nightshades! For some this is HUGE! And such a relief. The only con I have with this, which is easily fixed is there is NO FAT!! Only 2g for the whole packet!! So if you pick this up, my Nutritional tip is to grab a packet of olive oil, avocado oil or ghee to eat with it. So you feel full and satiated after eating.
Well foodie friends, I hope you found this information helpful in fueling YOUR body while backpacking and hiking!
Some Nutritional Pro Tips to hopefully ease any gas/bloating you might be experiencing while adventuring!
Here are a few tips.
Digestion, starts in the BRAIN! So when I say eat mindfully, sit down, take 5-10 big deep breaths through your nose and slowly release through your mouth. This can help reduce stress and hopefully get your body in the parasympathetic state (rest and digest).
Chew your food, REALLY REALLY good. Like at least 30 chews. This helps break down the food into more digestible pieces and the more you chew, the more saliva is created helping the digestion process!
Digestive Enzyme Supplements are VERY helpful while backpacking! If you don’t know where to start, please message me!
Make sure to stay HYDRATED!!! A fare portion of our water intake comes from OUR food- dehydrated food, even when re-hydrated can have a reduced amount of regular water content. Consume plenty of water during your adventures, making sure to consume electrolytes as well! Trying to limit too much water intake while eating, as this will impact your digestive enzymes.
Lastly,
If these tips still leave you feeling bloated and full of miserable gas - Contact me today for a free discovery call to help you tailor a nutrition plan to get you feeling your best on your adventures!
Happy trails my friends!
Amanda