Delicious and nutritious: the best day hiking lunch ideas

Who says you can’t have a delicious and nutritious lunch while enjoying the great outdoors? With the right food choices, you can fuel your body for a successful day hike and enjoy your meal at the same time.

Below are some of the best hiking lunch ideas that will keep you energized and satisfied.

Whether you’re trekking through a forest or scaling a mountain, these recipes will help you make the most of your adventure.

Benefits of packing your lunch

When you’re heading out for a day hike, the last thing you want to worry about is what you’re going to eat.

That’s why packing your lunch is such a great idea—you can enjoy delicious and nutritious food without having to stop and search for a place to eat.

Whether you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory, there’s a perfect day hiking lunch ideas waiting for you.

And best of all, most of these recipes are easy to prepare, so you can spend more time on the trail and less time in the kitchen.

So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next day’s hike—and don’t forget to pack a delicious meal!

What should I pack for a day hike lunch?

When it comes to packing a lunch for your day hiking adventure, there are a few things you should consider. For example:

• How far are you hiking? The longer and more strenuous the hike, the more important it is that you pack high-energy foods that will keep your energy levels up. Carbs like whole-grain crackers and pretzels are great for this.
• What’s the weather like? You don’t want an ice-cold cucumber sandwich on hot summer days! Pack foods that stay cool in warm temperatures or warm up quickly when needed (like soup).
• How much time do I have before my hike starts? If it’s only 15 minutes until departure time, don’t take too long to pack your lunch; instead opt for easy grab-and-go options such as pasta salad, tuna salad, or sandwiches from home, which also save money because they don’t require any preparation at all!
• How long will my hike last once I reach my destination? In addition to being mindful of how much food we eat while on our way back down the trail toward campground parking lots after dark hours have fallen upon us, all while sitting inside our cars waiting patiently until everyone gets ready before heading back home again.

Here are some ideas for great trail snacks:

• Beef jerky
• Pasta salad
• Peanut butter
• Nuts and seeds
• Trail mix
• Dried fruits
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Tortilla wrap
• Chicken salad
• Egg salad

How do you pack a sandwich for hiking?

You’ve got your sandwich, and you’re ready to roll. But how do you pack it for a day of hiking?

Sandwiches should be wrapped in plastic wrap or foil (and not paper).

The reason why is simple: if the bread soaks up any moisture from the air, it will get soggy and make your sandwich unappetizing.

You can also use containers made specifically for food storage. These come in many different shapes, colors, and sizes with lids that are designed to keep odors sealed inside while keeping out air and moisture.

There’s no need to worry about the container getting wet because they are usually made out of plastic or metal that won’t soak up moisture like cardboard boxes could over time when exposed outside long enough under normal conditions.

What is the best energy food for hiking?

There are a ton of options when it comes to trail snacks, but the best energy foods for hiking are usually packed with:

Fats

• Flaxseed
• Almonds
• Olive oil
• Avocado

Complex carbohydrates

• Oatmeal – you can make overnight oatmeal as your hiking lunch
• Dried fruits
• Bell peppers
• Whole grain crackers
• Whole grains

Hiking snack ideas

Some people don’t like eating an easy meal on an excursion but prefer the next hiking lunch as an assortment of snacks throughout the trip.

There are a lot of easily-packable snacks which are tasty and filling. These are some good hiking meals that I would consider.

Nut bars are yummy, filling, and great for hiking

If you want to make your lunch, nut bars are a delicious option that can be prepared in advance.

They’re great as a snack or an addition to lunch, and can easily be made gluten-free.

To make these bars taste best and keep them fresh, use raw nuts that haven’t been roasted; this ensures that the flavor will remain strong and true.

You’ll also want to use the freshest dried fruit possible for the same reason—this way, all of their natural sugars will come through in your finished product!

Finally, if you’re using any kind of nut butter for binding purposes (almond butter would be my choice), be sure not to overdo it: A little bit goes a long way here!

Create a DIY nut bar with your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruit

You can make your nut bars or trail mix in small batches and carry them with you on your next hike.

These are great hiking snacks because they have lean protein and fiber, which will keep you feeling full longer than a sugary snack!

Here’s how to do it:

• Choose raw nuts that have not been roasted or salted, such as almonds or cashews. You can also include sunflower seeds and dried fruit such as raisins or cranberries in this recipe if desired.
• Mix all ingredients well until they form a crumbly mass (you may need to add some water). Then roll the mixture into balls about 1 inch wide using your hands. Place these balls onto wax paper; then refrigerate them for 30 minutes before packing them in an airtight container for lunchtime snacking later on down the trail!

Day hike lunch ideas: quick and easy lunch ideas

Tortillas or wraps stuffed with shredded cheese and veggies make great hiking lunches

This is an easy way to pack a lot of nutrients into your lunch.

Cheese and veggies are high in lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and fiber, which are both important for maintaining energy levels during a long day of hiking.

The calcium from cheese can also help prevent cramps or soreness later on.

Wraps or tortillas are easy to pack—just wrap them up tightly with plastic wrap or put them in a sandwich bag before packing.

You don’t have to make wraps yourself: you can buy premade ones at most grocery stores now, too!

If you do want to make your own, here’s how:

• Cut flour tortillas into pieces about 8 inches square (or use wheat wraps).
• Spread each piece with 1/2 teaspoon butter (optional), sprinkle with 1 tablespoon shredded cheese or 2 tablespoons grated cheddar cheese (your choice), then top with shredded chicken and any fresh veggies you like—lettuce works well here because it doesn’t wilt quickly as spinach does.
• Top the veggies off with another 1/2 teaspoon butter if desired; then roll up tightly into a cigar shape and place seam-side down on parchment paper lined baking sheet; keep refrigerated until ready for use (up to 2 days).
• Bake at 350 °F until warm throughout and crisp outside, about 20 minutes; cut into 6-inch sections before serving

Pasta salad

Pasta salad is something you can prepare the night before and quickly enjoy on the trail.

• a plate of boiled whole-grain pasta
• hard-boiled eggs
• a small bundle of green onions, 5-6 stalks
• parsley
• bell pepper
• olive oil
• lemon juice

In a large pot of lightly salted water, cook pasta in boiling water for 10 to 12 minutes; rinse with cold water and drain.

Mix the pasta, tomatoes, bell peppers, and olives in a salad bowl; sprinkle with dressing and toss to coat. Refrigerate the salad for 8 hours, overnight.

Bagels are incredibly dense in carbohydrates, which means they’re perfect hiking food.

The problem is that most people don’t realize bagels are packed with carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are the primary energy source for your body, and they can be found in grains, fruits, and vegetables.

This hiking lunch helps you recover after strenuous workouts and provide a sustained source of energy throughout the day.

Bagels with Cream Cheese + Smoked Salmon

While cream cheese and smoked salmon are both perishable, they’ll be fine in a backpack during the day.

Ingredients: Bagel (option to toast it), cream cheese, smoked salmon, chopped onion, capers (optional), sliced lemon.

The key to making sure you eat enough carbohydrates is to balance your intake with protein and healthy fats.

Just because you’re on a hiking trip doesn’t mean you can forget about eating healthy foods altogether!

Quesadillas make excellent day hike lunches

Quesadillas are easy enough to make that even the most inexperienced cook can whip one up, and they’re a great source of protein and carbohydrates.

It is also an easy hiking lunch since you can hold them in one hand and eat with your other hand—no knife required!

Plus, there are so many different options for filling quesadillas that there’s something for everyone: cream cheese, feta cheese, shredded cheese, if you don’t like cheese, swap it out for avocado or salsa; if you want more protein in your meal, add the cooked chicken; if you’re feeling adventurous, try adding some fresh veggies like spinach—the list goes on!

Nutritious hiking lunch ideas

Foods that are easy to eat—and quick to eat—are best for day-hiking lunches.

It’s no secret that food is an important part of any hike, but you’ll want to keep your energy up when you’re out in nature.

This means finding the best foods that are both nutritious and easy to prepare on the go.

If you’re looking for tasty snacks for a day hike lunch ideas, we’ve got some options for you!

For fats: there is a variety you can balance it out from such as canned tuna with olive oil, some nut butter of your choice with healthy fats, or even hardened cheese.

Low-maintenance, no-cook hiking snack ideas

When you’re planning your day hike lunch, you want something that’s both delicious and nutritious.

But you also don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen preparing it. That’s why no-cook hiking lunch ideas are the perfect solution.

There are plenty of options for low-maintenance, no-cook lunches. You can pack a simple sandwich, or go for something a little more adventurous like a wrap or a quesadilla.

If you’re looking for something hot, try making a quick soup or chili. And don’t forget the snacks! Trail mix, fruit, meal bars, and whole grain crackers are all great options.

With these ideas in mind, you’re sure to have a delicious and nutritious lunch that’s perfect for your next day’s hike.

Backpacking lunch ideas

Delicious hiking lunch ideas: adding variety with bento boxes

Bento boxes can be a great way to get creative with your lunch when going on a hike. Not only are they great for portion control, but they’re also an easy way to pack a variety of snacks.

A bento box is essentially a Japanese-style lunchbox with multiple compartments and layers. This makes it perfect for packing smaller portions of snacks that can offer variety while you’re on the trail.

You could include cut-up fruits and fresh veggies, hard-boiled eggs, shredded cheese, nuts, or other healthy snacks that are easy to eat while hiking.

Plus, the best part about bento boxes is that you can find them in all shapes and sizes, so regardless if you’re just taking a short hike or spending all day on the trail, having such an easily customizable lunchbox is a great way to make sure you have enough energy and sustenance to last you through the day.

Hiking snacks on-the-go

Fuelling your body for a long hike is important, so you should have some snacks on-hand.

And since you’re trying to keep your lunch light, you should opt for foods that are high in calories and protein but low in fat.

Nut-based bars are a great choice, as they are packed with protein and fiber, while also being easy to store and can easily fit into any day pack.

Trail mix is another great option, as it’s easy to make ahead before the hike and provides some variety throughout the day.

Some other snack ideas include beef jerky, nuts, dried fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and energy balls. If you don’t have time to make energy balls yourself, there are plenty of store-bought options available that are packed with nutritious ingredients like dates, oats, nuts, and seeds.

The key takeaway here is to make sure your snacks provide sustained energy throughout the day—you don’t want to crash halfway through your hike!

Hiking food doesn’t have to be boring!

Hiking food doesn’t have to be boring! You can mix your trail mix or pack a sandwich. You can even bring snacks like nuts and granola bars, which are better for you than candy bars.

Here are some ideas for packing a healthy lunch on the trail:

Trail Mix:

This is an excellent snack with simple ingredients that will keep you full throughout the hike.

Mix 1 cup of any combination of nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate chips (or other sweets) in a big ziplock bag.

If you want something more filling, try adding grains like quinoa or oats into the mix as well!

Homemade Granola Bars:

Homemade granola bars are another great option if you’re looking for something crunchy but nutritious to eat while hiking.

These take just minutes to prepare at home before your trip, so there’s no reason not to pack some along with some fresh fruit or dried fruits as well!

What is best to drink while hiking?

It’s important to remember that water is the best option for rehydrating. Water will help you digest all your food, quench your thirst, and keep your muscles moving smoothly.

However, if you don’t want to just drink plain old H2O, there are some other options available.

• Sports drinks can be a good post-hike option because they replace electrolytes lost through sweat and contain fewer calories than energy drinks or sugary sodas. They can also be helpful during treks that require more intense physical activity than most day hikes do (think mountain biking or snowshoeing).
• Electrolyte-replenishing drinks work similarly in that they replenish electrolytes that are lost through sweat, but they often contain more sodium than sports drinks do.

This means they’re also great for people who don’t have time after their hike to prepare a meal with plenty of salt in it—for example, if you live far away from civilization and need something before going home after an evening hike (or if you’re just really hungry!).

Nutritious drinks to keep you energized

Being out in the wilderness all day can take a toll, so it’s important to stay hydrated throughout your hike.

Sure, you can bring along a regular bottle of water, but why not bring something that’s both delicious and nutritious?

Some of my favorite drinks for a day hike are electrolyte-rich sports drinks; coconut water; and vegetable and fruit smoothies (made with nut milk!).

These drinks provide essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium that help to replenish your body. Plus, they’re rich in antioxidants and help boost your energy.

If you’re looking for something non-alcoholic, try infusing regular water with fruits to add a subtle sweetness.

Or make a large batch of iced tea or fresh lemonade with herbs like mint or rosemary to create an aromatic drink to keep you going.

Whatever drink you choose, just remember to stay hydrated throughout the day!

What foods should I not bring on a hike?

Avoid sugary snacks and carbonated beverages while hiking. Avoid bringing food that might spoil, e.g., egg salad.

Greasy or fatty foods or deep-fried foods, any dairy foods, including cheese. In general, if you can’t keep a food cold that needs to be kept cold, don’t bring it on your hike.

You don’t want to feel sick when you hike. Choose safer choices that won’t get worse.

Conclusion

So there you have it—a few of the best day hiking lunch ideas to keep you fueled up and feeling good on the trail.

No matter what your preferences are, there’s an option here that will work for you. And remember, the most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the hike!

FAQ

Read also:

• Can you wash North Face backpacks and how to do that?
• Preparing the perfect sandwich for hiking: tips and tricks