If you’ve ever gotten halfway through a hike and suddenly felt completely drained, there’s a good chance it wasn’t your fitness… it was your food.

I’ve learned this the hard way over the years. Not eating enough, packing things I wasn’t excited about, waiting too long between snacks… all of it adds up fast on trail.

So while my recent post breaks down the mistakes to avoid, I wanted to go a step further here and share what I actually bring to stay fueled, energized, and honestly… excited to eat.

Start with Foods You’ll Actually Want to Eat

This sounds obvious, but it’s the mistake I see (and have made) the most.

If your entire food bag feels like a compromise, you’re probably not going to eat enough. Appetite can drop on trail, especially at elevation or after a long day, so having food you’re genuinely into makes a huge difference.

For me, that means a mix of:

sweet + salty
crunchy + soft
quick snacks + more satisfying meals

It doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to work for you.

Breakfast: Easy Calories to Start the Day

I keep breakfast simple, but intentional. The goal is to get in calories early without overthinking it.

Some of my go-tos:

instant oatmeal (I usually pack protein oatmeal like Purely Elizabeth or classic Quaker packets)
Mountain House granola with milk and blueberries (this one is actually so good and requires zero cooking)
instant coffee (I’ve been bringing options from Verve Coffee Roasters lately)

I’ll usually add peanut butter or honey for extra calories. Nothing fancy, just enough to get me moving.

Snacks: Where Most of Your Energy Comes From

This is where I focus the most. I’m usually snacking every hour or so while hiking.

A few staples I always rotate through:

simple protein bars like Clif Bar or Misfits
candy (Nerds Clusters and Jolly Rancher gummies have been my recent favorites)
dried fruit like mango or candied ginger
olives for something salty (Trader Joe’s has my FAVORITE olives)
Babybel cheese (holds up surprisingly well for a day or two)

I also always bring peanut butter packets and mini tortillas, which double as snacks or a quick lunch.

Lunch: Keep It Light but Effective

Lunch doesn’t need to be a full production. I usually keep it quick so I can keep moving.

Most days it’s something like:

tortilla + peanut butter + honey
a protein bar + a few snacks
or even just a mix of things I’ve been grazing on

On shorter trips, I’ll sometimes bring a sandwich from town for day one, and honestly… it hits every time.

Dinner: Where I Actually Look Forward to Eating

Dinner is when I want something warm, filling, and easy. After a long day, this is not the time I want to be complicated.

This is where meals from Mountain House come in. They’re lightweight, easy to make at camp and they pack lots of protein so they’re great for recovery. Some of my favorites are their rice-based or Mexican-inspired meals. I’m also a new fan of the Pasta Primavera - it’s super light and fresh tasting.

I’ll also mix in simple options like ramen for variety.

Plus-ups and Add-ons…

One thing I’ve learned is you don’t have to eat meals exactly as-is.

A few easy upgrades I always recommend:

tortillas to turn meals into burritos
hot sauce packets (non-negotiable)
shredded cheese for shorter trips
peanut butter added to savory dishes for extra calories

Small additions, big difference.

Dessert (underrated and important)

This might be optional… but I don’t treat it that way.

Sometimes I’ll bring one of the Mountain House desserts, but I usually keep it simple with:

dark chocolate
mint or lemon ginger tea
or something sweet from my snack stash (I love bringing along a Snickers or Peanut M&M’s if it’s not too hot)

It’s less about the food and more about the ritual. Ending the day with something warm or sweet just hits different out there.

Dialing in your backpacking food takes time. What works for one person might not work for someone else, and honestly, part of the process is figuring it out as you go.

But if there’s one thing I’d emphasize, it’s this:
eat more than you think you need, and bring food you’re actually excited about.

It makes every mile feel better.