If you’re going camping or backpacking, reading over a quick food survival guide will give you lots of great tips. And honestly, I think it’s critical that you take the time to learn how to prep your food properly too. So, with a bit of preparation you can enjoy excellent meals while in the wild.
Additionally, the knowledge you learn and the equipment you bring could help you were you to find yourself in a survival situation. Below, I’ve taken the time to outline a few things to remember to help make food prepping in the wild easier.
4 Critical Food Survival Guide Tips
1. Plan Meals Beforehand
Before you depart on your trip, you should try to plan your meals. You’ll need to consider things such as:
1. How many days you’ll be gone
2. Where you’re traveling and the route you’re taking
3. The weight in which you’re willing to carry
Try to prepare for meals that are low-effort so that you can make them quickly. You’ll also want to make sure that your meals are high in protein and carbs. According to CNN Health, a lack of protein could be one of the primary reasons why you feel fatigued. You’ll likely be active while in the wild, which can tire your muscles. Protein helps your body repair muscle tissue.
Also, it takes the body longer to break down protein than it does carbs, making it a viable long-term source of energy. However, you’ll still need to add carbohydrates as well. Our bodies convert carbs into glucose, which then serves as a source of energy. Healthline recommends eating whole carbs, such as fruit and vegetables, potatoes, whole grains and oats.
Try to bring foods that are non-perishable such as pack of Millennium Energy Bars. Dried and canned meats should last the duration of your trip. Additionally, make sure that you try to pack a few reserves with you on your journey. A day or two of extra meals will provide minimal weight to your pack but will come in handy if you get lost while in the wilderness.
2. Make Sure You Have The Right Tools Available
You should make sure that you have the right tools with you before you go, as this will simplify meal prepping. Many camping and backpacking manufacturers make things like mini frying pans and cutting boards that are easy to put in a backpack. When planning meals, try to choose ones that allow you to re-use the equipment that you bring. For instance, it doesn’t make much sense to bring a frying pan with you if you plan only to use it once.
Additionally, you may want to bring a small storage container with you in case of leftovers. There’s nothing worse than wasting food when you’re in the wilderness. If you plan to bring high energy snacks with you, such as trail mix, consider putting it into a small storage container. Then, when you finish your snack, you’ll have an accessible container to store a leftover meal.
3. Know How To Build (And Use) A Fire
This may go without saying, but you should know how to create a fire in a variety of situations. Too often I’ve heard from people who rely on a campfire stove while in the wilderness. When something malfunctions with the stove, they no longer know how to prep their meals. If you do decide to bring a stovetop, I highly recommend that you also bring some combination of the following to help you start a fire:
No matter what source you choose, you should do as much meal prep as possible prior. Fuel sources, whether it be wood or propane, could be limited, so use them wisely. Have water in the pot over your heat source before you use fuel. Make sure any vegetables or meat has been chopped and put into the pan before applying heat.
Camping stoves typically only have one setting, but if you’re using a fire, you could stretch it further by using different temperatures. For instance, if you would like to bake any pieces of bread, you should do so on the post-dinner coals. If you try to bake something over open flames, you’ll end up burning the outside while leaving the inside raw. The main thing to remember is that you should cook as much as possible once you begin using fuel.
4. Learn About The Area In Which You’re Traveling
Before departing, you should take the time to learn more about where you’ll be camping and backpacking. The most critical is that you learn about the trees, plants, and vegetables in the area. When and if you ever run out of food, greens are the most accessible source of food. Eating a poisonous plant could make you sick and dehydrate you, putting you in a life-or-death situation.
You’ll also likely want to know about the fish and wild game native to the area. You should look into the best ways to hunt them and how to skin and prepare them as well. If you’re traveling near water, fishing could be the most accessible source of protein. I recommend looking into a Travel Fishing Pole and Reel Combo Set. These poles are often collapsible or foldable, so they don’t take up much space in your bag.
However, if you choose not to carry a fishing pole, you should at least carry ample rope or fishing line. Having line on hand makes it significantly easier to craft a makeshift fishing pole if you to find yourself without food.
Food Survival Guide Conclusion
When in the wild, no one expects to find themselves in a survival situation. Taking time to prepare your meals, pack the proper equipment, and gain a better understanding of the land to which you’re traveling will benefit you in all situations. Preparation can not only make for a more enjoyable hiking experience, but it could also keep you safe in a survival situation as well. So plan and get on top of your Food Survival Guide today.