Camping food

[Andy OCJ]

Will adjust this later....

I carry as much dry food as possible and sometimes fresh vegetables for the first night if it is an easy hike and if they are light! Of course you need a stove or a fire then.



Food

There are lots of varieties of dry seaweed in Japan that can be added to food and particulary soups. Other dried vegetables are also quite easy to buy.

Carbohydrates and Calories
You need calories to maintain hiking if overnight. Try and choose healthy options rather than instant noodles.


Ramen is easiest and light - not very healthy. Avoid if possible.

I take pasta - plain 2 minute (thin) cooking but I prefer brown pasta - 7 minutes. Also sometimes I cook brown rice (20 minutes) though but it is heavy and takes more fuel. (my recommendation!)

Oatmeal is very healthy and light and can be used for soups or as sweet porridge (with water/dry milk powder, sugar). (my recommendation!)


OK Stuff...
Soba, brown buckwheat noodles cook quickly but a bit heavier. Quinoa (healthy) also cooks fairly quickly as a substitute for rice or in soups.

Bread is actually very good - no cooking, filling. Slightly heavier but ok for 1 night.

Dry potato powder and couscous are filling and light - just need water.


Some muesli mixes are good - dry trail snack food and breakfast. Dry milk powder. Also things like coco powder or Milo go well. Problem is the processed sugar in them.

Muesli and energy bars are ok for trail snacks - need some sugar when you get tired. I do not like these as they usually have too much sugar. Make your own better idea.


Dahl (lentils) is very quick and easy to cook if the thin type - healthy and nutritious. Can add a few spices to it like curry powder and cloves or cinnamon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paripu






Pasta sauces
I use dry powder soups mixes for pasta.

Nori / seaweed sheets are lightest most nutritious vegetables and good in some soups or as a dry snack.


Curry powder is light and often a nice change (+ tomato soup powder). Thai curry paste (strong so small quantity) and coconut powder good.

Also Thai tom yam kung spicy lemon soup paste in winter... dried mushrooms and dry fish etc.


I usually carry beef jerky - soft in soups and pasta sauce and light. Also dry fish products.




Trail mix snacks
I would just make your own with things mixed with raisins. Natural sweets better than added processed sugar.
Just raisins are fine.



Drinks

Always nice to have a choice. I carry loose powder or leaf teas (not bags) -  Indian, green, Jasmin and Oulong. Sometimes herb teas but you should carry the teabags home. Also sports drinks powder for hiking.
Sweet drinks often help when tired.

Water is usually boiled but safe to drink from most streams (except Hokkaido- never drink river or lake water there without boiling as there is a dangerous parasite).

One of my favourites is just water with a bit of lemon juice added  (lemon juice is not heavy to carry).