Packing for a backpacking trip requires just the essentials. You want to pack items that are convenient, lightweight and just what you need---it is not the time to pack heavy, extravagant items. You want to enjoy the backpacking trip. You don't want to pay for the trip later when your back is hurting from carrying overweight items, especially unnecessary food items.
For breakfast, purchase instant cereals and powered milk as well as energy bars. Instant cereals come in a variety of flavors including granola and oatmeal. Pack your instant milk in plastic sandwich bags and place it, along with the instant cereal, in one of the pockets of your backpack. Stick a couple of energy bars in your jacket or shirt pocket for quick retrieval.
When backpacking you need to carry plenty of snacks for energy and to stop any hunger pains. Purchase trail mix or the good old standby GORP (Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts). Both items can be found in local grocery and health food stores. Make sure they are prepackaged--don't buy in bulk. Other snacks include string cheese, beef jerky and dried fruit and vegetables. These items are excellent lightweight snacks to carry on any backpacking trip.
Instant soups and freeze-dried dinners are perfect items to take on any trip. Not only are they packed in lightweight pack wrappers, but they are also quick to prepare. Purchase a variety of soup flavors--chicken noodle, cream of chicken and cream of mushroom. For the various freeze-dried dinners you can buy, see the Resources section below for links to vendors that sell dinners geared toward backpacking and camping. Purchase at least one meat dinner for energy.
Other food items to take on your backpacking trip include herbal tea, bottled water, sweeteners, condiments in packets and a pack or two of hot chocolate mix. Make sure everything is in sealed packets. Place one or two bottles of water in your backpack and once you have used the water, refill from a drinkable stream or other clean water source.
