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Main Boards => General Walking Discussion => Topic started by: Owen on 14:14:36, 04/06/18

Title: Trail food?
Post by: Owen on 14:14:36, 04/06/18
At the moment I take nature valley biscuits or flapjack bars with me for my midday snacks on my long backpacking trips. I've been thinking that that's quite a lot of sugar. So, I looking for suggestions for savoury alternatives. Something high in energy and able to survive up to two weeks in the bottom of my rucksack without going off or turning into a pile of crumbs. Also most important of all NO NUTS, nuts are poisonous.
Everything I think of fails on the last two points.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Percy on 15:35:31, 04/06/18
Do you have a nut allergy or do you just not like them?


Sugar is fine if you eat it during exercise. Long walks are the only time I eat chocolate. My favourite is a Topic which is your worst nightmare by the sounds of it.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: ninthace on 16:43:08, 04/06/18
A good quality pork pie would be my choice. If you want to be civilised include a sachet of mustard or sauce.
Nuts aren't poisonous - ask any squirrel.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Percy on 16:55:07, 04/06/18
A good quality pork pie would be my choice.
While I'm extremely fond of pork pies I'm not sure they would survive 2 weeks in the bottom of a rucksack.


More constructively: biltong or similar?
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: ninthace on 17:22:30, 04/06/18
While I'm extremely fond of pork pies I'm not sure they would survive 2 weeks in the bottom of a rucksack.


More constructively: biltong or similar?


It would be lucky to survive more than a few hours in mine before it got eaten  ;)
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Percy on 17:31:42, 04/06/18

It would be lucky to survive more than a few hours in mine before it got eaten  ;)
Likewise.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: fernman on 17:48:38, 04/06/18
Before you buy another, read the label to see how much saturated fat it contains  :o
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Mel on 17:52:28, 04/06/18
Some savoury crackers and a tube of squishy cheese?  (crackers in a little plastic tub wrapped in a paper towel keeps them dry and crumble free).



Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: alan de enfield on 17:53:32, 04/06/18

I would stick with your flap-jacks.
The 75g ones I get from (such as) B&M cost 19p, they weigh 75 grams, have typically 333Kcals, 4 grams of saturated fat and 13.5 grams of sugar.


Being a 'recovered' diabetic (no longer on medication) I do have to take an interest in what I'm eating and find that I am 'walking off' more calories than I am eating. The flap-jacks pose no problem at all (and they taste good)


My typical daily intake is 2000 Kcals and my outgoings approximately 2200-2300 Kcals


Typical days meal Plan :


A number of cups of tea (with sweeteners) during the day.


Breakfast = Porridge
Lunch = Cup -A-Soup &/or 2x Granola bars, or Flapjack (depends on if in the mood to set up the stove)
Evening Meal = De-hydrated meal (typically 800+ Kcals)
Supper = Mug cocoa, 40g bar of chocolate, Flapjack.


There will probably be another flapjack consumed as needed.


My rations are split up into day-packs or 2-day packs and sealed in a foil 'zip-lok bag'. There will generally be an extra bar of choc or flapjack 'above' the planned menu.


I cannot think of any savoury product (apart from nuts) that will survive in the bottom of a pack for a couple of weeks.


Mixed dried fruit ( or even just sultanas, or raisins), are high in carbs & are a good snack-boost for "11's" or "3's"
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Mel on 18:01:19, 04/06/18
Or what about a Pepperami?  They're savoury and definitely high in calories/energy.



Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: alan de enfield on 18:03:22, 04/06/18
YUK - revolting stuff, as bad as Salami.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Mel on 18:11:23, 04/06/18
Lol, I was thinking of savoury, high energy alternatives that don't have nuts in for the OP.



Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Percy on 19:06:09, 04/06/18
Salami is great. :smitten:
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: mananddog on 19:18:13, 04/06/18
Dried fruit is one of my staples, Lidl do a good selection but I also dry apples at home in the autumn, and my home made Biltong/jerky which is about a 10th of the cost of that stuff you buy in little foil bags in the supermarket.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: rural roamer on 19:19:33, 04/06/18
I made some cheese flapjacks for my grandson when they came to stay ( he’s 8mths old and not having anything sugary yet). They were quite tasty and you could probably add different herbs/spices to them. Not sure if you can buy them though.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: mananddog on 19:27:08, 04/06/18

Salami is great. :smitten:


I also make my own Salami!!!! (and Chorizo)
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Owen on 19:43:54, 04/06/18
Some savoury crackers and a tube of squishy cheese?  (crackers in a little plastic tub wrapped in a paper towel keeps them dry and crumble free).


Yes, I've tried this over a long weekend but wasn't to sure how long the cheeses would last. Just need to find the right container for the crackers.

Or what about a Pepperami?  They're savoury and definitely high in calories/energy.

 


hadn't thought of those I'll give them a try. Thanks.


Dried fruit is one of my staples, Lidl do a good selection but I also dry apples at home in the autumn, and my home made Biltong/jerky which is about a 10th of the cost of that stuff you buy in little foil bags in the supermarket.


So, how do you make Biltong/jerky?
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: mananddog on 20:07:01, 04/06/18

There are two ways one for winter and one for summer.


I get cheap beef from the supermarket, usually that which is being sold cheap, preferably minute steaks or really thin sliced. Silverside does well. I like to have slices about 5mm thick. I cover them with a mix of salt, coriander, black pepper and some chilli. This mix is spread over the meat which is laid out on a clean plate. Put this in the fridge for 6 hours, this will cure the meat and draw out the liquid.


Take the meat and dab it dry with kitchen paper - do not rub the cure off. In winter I hang this in my garage for 12 to 14 days until it is ready. Once it is dry put it in a paper bag and it will last for 6 months or more. I put it in a plastic bag when I take it away to keep it dry.


In summer when there are more flies around and the garage is not so good an idea you can put it in an oven on 50C until it is dry - keep opening the over door to get the humidity down. I have a dehydrator which I use in summer, overnight at 40C and it is dry.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Mel on 22:26:58, 04/06/18

Yes, I've tried this over a long weekend but wasn't to sure how long the cheeses would last. Just need to find the right container for the crackers.


Primula cheese spread in a tube lasts a lot longer than 2 weeks, unrefrigerated.  So do Mini Baby Bel cheeses. 
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: jimbob on 22:46:52, 04/06/18

.  So do Mini Baby Bel cheeses.
Mmmmm baby bel  and a hard boiled egg. Followed by fruit pastilles for dessert. What more can a walker  want.

Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Mel on 22:48:11, 04/06/18
A pint to wash it all down?  ;D
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: jimbob on 22:52:57, 04/06/18
And plenty of breeze in tent to dispel condensation :D
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Rather be walking on 12:16:53, 05/06/18

It would be lucky to survive more than a few hours in mine before it got eaten  ;)

Same here  :)

Jon.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: KimE on 22:24:40, 08/06/18
Hard rye bread with a tube of soft cheese and a cup of dehydrated soup.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: gunwharfman on 09:57:40, 09/06/18
A large tin of Ambrosia creamed rice, or similar, when stopped for a rest, then a snooze. When I last hiked the Pennine Way, I bought a can in Bellingham, nursed it all day and ate it as soon as I got onto Hadrians Wall. Wonderful!
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Owen on 18:37:43, 09/06/18
Hard rye bread with a tube of soft cheese and a cup of dehydrated soup.


I'd forgotten all about rye bread as it's not very common here, I did manage to find one shop in Stirling that sold it. Thanks for the tip.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Ralph on 20:35:46, 09/06/18
Thanks  for the rye bread tip, I love it but never  thought of carrying it,.along with squirty cheese it should be fine.I've seen it in packs of 6 slices, so ideal for a day or two out.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: scottk on 23:43:29, 09/06/18
Rye bread is available in Lidl. Goes well with pickled herring and curried egg!
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: KimE on 16:46:09, 12/06/18
Yes i always have a tube of cheese with me on walks. At home i use Swedish caviar in tube on the rye bread.

Ikea has it.

"Rye bread is available in Lidl. Goes well with pickled herring and curried egg!"


Try fermented herring with potato and onion on thin hard rye-barley bread.

Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: alan de enfield on 17:26:18, 12/06/18


Try fermented herring with potato and onion on thin hard rye-barley bread.



Many years ago the Managing Director of our Norwegian operation sent us some cans of Herring, Not liking fish I gave my can away, others kept theirs.


At a meeting a few weeks later he asked what everyone thought of the Herring - most had thrown the cans in the waste, when asked why, they explained that the cans had 'expanded' and had 'blown' into the shape of a football.


He said - that is the time to eat it - it is at its best when the can has 'blown'.


Weird tastes these Scandinavians.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:38:05, 12/06/18

Have you considered oatcakes? Ideal with squirty cheese, and over 500 calories/100g.


Also, to avoid the nuts, make up your own trail mix with dried fruit, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Ralph on 17:45:57, 12/06/18
Squirty cheese on cheese oatcakes has been my fave for a long time.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: richardh1905 on 17:59:03, 12/06/18
Now we're talking!
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Ralph on 18:13:36, 12/06/18
At home I have cheese oatcakes with my morning boiled eggs, delicious.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: alan de enfield on 06:40:44, 16/06/18
Rye bread is available in Lidl. Goes well with pickled herring and curried egg!



Review on Aldi (NOT Lidl) Rye bread.


Pros :
500 gram vacuum sealed pack
£0.89
7 months Best Before Date
500g pack = 1000 Kcals
Saturated Fat = 0.2g per 100g
Sugar = 2.9g per 100g


Cons:
Not a 'high' source of calories at 200Kcal/100g (Typical Flapjack 550Kcal for a 125g bar)
Taste - OK, but not an overly pleasant taste 'on its own', adding cheese &/or butter defeats the 'low fat' option
Texture - compressed seed droppings from the bottom of a bird cage.


Conclusion :


For the weight and bulk of it compared to the benefits I'll stick with other alternatives.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Owen on 11:22:08, 16/06/18
It's 82p for a 800g loaf in waitrose.


I appreciate adding cheese won't fit your particular dietary requirements, but the OP was asking for suggestions for savory snacks so rye bread and cheese does fit the bill. Taste and texture is a very personal thing some people won't like it others will.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: KimE on 12:21:42, 16/06/18

[font=]"At a meeting a few weeks later he asked what everyone thought of the Herring - most had thrown the cans in the waste, when asked why, they explained that the cans had 'expanded' and had 'blown' into the shape of a football."
[font=]
 
[font=]Yes they expand if you dont keep them cold the fish are still wounderful. Norway have a different kind of fermented fish called Rakfisk.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: KimE on 12:33:06, 16/06/18
[font=]Pros : [font=&amp]
[font=]500 gram vacuum sealed pack [font=&amp]
[font=]£0.89 [font=&amp]
[font=]7 months Best Before Date [font=&amp]
[font=]500g pack = 1000 Kcals [font=&amp]
[font=]Saturated Fat = 0.2g per 100g [font=&amp]
[font=]Sugar = 2.9g per 100g [font=&amp]
[font=]Cons: [font=&amp]
[font=]Not a 'high' source of calories at 200Kcal/100g (Typical Flapjack 550Kcal for a 125g bar) [font=&amp]
[font=]Taste - OK, but not an overly pleasant taste 'on its own', adding cheese &/or butter defeats the 'low fat' option [font=&amp]
[font=]Texture - compressed seed droppings from the bottom of a bird cage.
[font=]
 
[font=]
 
[font=]No rye bread are not very energy compact , it have a long best before date, my shop bought dry rye bread have one year but its much longer if its stored properly. I eat my grandmothers home made thin bread 3 years after its baked. More energy packed are grain bars and nuts but its not asked for in this thread.
[font=]
 
[font=] http://www.wasa-usa.com/products/crispbread/whole-grain/
 
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: dittzzy on 19:01:20, 16/06/18
Doesn't answer the original request, but I LUUUUURRRRRVE Eccles Cakes. Excellent trail food, except they crumble, so you have to eat them up sooner rather than later.  (Shame innit,  :D )
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Pennine Way Virgin on 12:42:49, 18/06/18
I have recently fallen in love with a brand called 'Look what we Found' who make long life meals in a pouch; chilli con carne, meatballs, chicken casterole etc.  They are very similar to camping meals, they are tasty, can be boiled in the bag and will last for months, they are maybe not quite as calorie dense as made for purpose camping meals but they are a fraction of the price,  I normally pair them with a packet of cheap precooked rice for a more substantial evening meal.  I have seen them in several supermarkets, I pick mine up from Morrison's for just under £1.50 each, but if you google the brand name you will see they are pretty common and popular with outdoor enthusiasts.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Pennine Way Virgin on 12:44:15, 18/06/18
Doesn't answer the original request, but I LUUUUURRRRRVE Eccles Cakes. Excellent trail food, except they crumble, so you have to eat them up sooner rather than later.  (Shame innit,  :D )


Or flies graveyards as my old Granny used to call them  ;D
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: NeilC on 13:34:15, 18/06/18
I have recently fallen in love with a brand called 'Look what we Found' who make long life meals in a pouch; chilli con carne, meatballs, chicken casterole etc.  They are very similar to camping meals, they are tasty, can be boiled in the bag and will last for months, they are maybe not quite as calorie dense as made for purpose camping meals but they are a fraction of the price,  I normally pair them with a packet of cheap precooked rice for a more substantial evening meal.  I have seen them in several supermarkets, I pick mine up from Morrison's for just under £1.50 each, but if you google the brand name you will see they are pretty common and popular with outdoor enthusiasts.


Yes I like these too - much nicer quality than most camping brands.


I do the oatcakes like a others on here. I tend to carry a Lidl goats cheese and a piece of Chorizo to have with them. Chorizo is very high in cals for the weight and a great way of adding flavour to most savoury meals.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: alan de enfield on 13:52:00, 18/06/18
I have recently fallen in love with a brand called 'Look what we Found' who make long life meals in a pouch; chilli con carne, meatballs, chicken casterole etc.  They are very similar to camping meals, they are tasty, can be boiled in the bag and will last for months, they are maybe not quite as calorie dense as made for purpose camping meals but they are a fraction of the price,  I normally pair them with a packet of cheap precooked rice for a more substantial evening meal.  I have seen them in several supermarkets, I pick mine up from Morrison's for just under £1.50 each, but if you google the brand name you will see they are pretty common and popular with outdoor enthusiasts.



Yes they are available at between £1.50 & £3.00 per pack.
the issues I have with them are :


Portion / bag size is 250g
Calories per portion / bag is around 200.


So for an equivalent meal to a de-hydrated 800Kcal meal you need to buy 4 of them (and carry 1000g) as compared to 150g bag of de-hydrated food. Yes you can 'add something' to them but that is all weight carried.


Burning off much higher than normal calories hiking with a pack in hot weather needs additional calories to your normal intake.


When one 250Kcal meal weighs almost twice an 800Kcal meal I think the choice is easy.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: jimbob on 13:57:34, 18/06/18
Again Alan that choice is only suitable if not having to carry water. I tend to carry only energy bars and eat when I come across a caff or a pub. I have no great problem with hunger and I carry too much fat anyway so I know I am not going to die of starvation in a week or less.In fact  I usually put weight on. I blame the warm fizzy stuff you get with southern pub meals.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: NeilC on 14:13:44, 18/06/18
I'm also in the position where not fulfilling my calorific needs is a very good thing indeed

Obviously dried foods makes sense where water is freely available but where it isn't then it makes no difference as you're carrying that water one way or another. In fact I can't count the number of times I've carefully saved a few hundred grams with dried food only to get to camp where there is a source of water but I've still got 1000g of water still undrunk sitting my pack.

For short trips the pouches (or tins really since tins don't actually weigh that much anyway) can work well.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: alan de enfield on 14:23:14, 18/06/18
I'm also in the position where not fulfilling my calorific needs is a very good thing indeed

Obviously dried foods makes sense where water is freely available but where it isn't then it makes no difference as you're carrying that water one way or another. In fact I can't count the number of times I've carefully saved a few hundred grams with dried food only to get to camp where there is a source of water but I've still got 1000g of water still undrunk sitting my pack.

For short trips the pouches (or tins really since tins don't actually weigh that much anyway) can work well.



Agreed - I keep a pack of 'ready meal' Sausage & Beans, or All Day Breakfast for such times as there is no water readily available.
Even those are better 'value' than the LWWF meals.
 300g, around £4, and 450-500Kcals.
The main ration packs are de-hydrated.


I carry around 1.5 - 2 litres of water but it is seldom that I don't pass a farmers water trough, stream, pond, puddle or even a house sometime during the day and can top-off the bottles for the dinner meal and Breakfast porridge.
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Pennine Way Virgin on 18:53:10, 18/06/18

Yes they are available at between £1.50 & £3.00 per pack.
the issues I have with them are :


Portion / bag size is 250g
Calories per portion / bag is around 200.


So for an equivalent meal to a de-hydrated 800Kcal meal you need to buy 4 of them (and carry 1000g) as compared to 150g bag of de-hydrated food. Yes you can 'add something' to them but that is all weight carried.


Burning off much higher than normal calories hiking with a pack in hot weather needs additional calories to your normal intake.


When one 250Kcal meal weighs almost twice an 800Kcal meal I think the choice is easy.




My only issue with dehydrated camping meals is the price, if I could afford them then yeah, I would be right there with you! But I am looking at between £5-7 (pretty much my whole days food allowance) for a single meal from the local outdoor shops near me, which would be fine for an overnight or long weekend excursion, but for longer ventures (I am setting out on a 4 week camping trip this Wednesday) those prices are just not sustainable on my budget.


As for the weight, you are right they are much heavier, a packet of LWWF Chilli Con Carne and a packet of Pataks Rice for example weighs in at 500g and supplies just under 700kcal, but it only cost me £1.98 by comparison, and the rest of my days ration is typically made up of cheap, light weight, dried goods (porridge, powdered milk, noodles, couscous etc, with the odd chocolate bar or flapjack to make up the calories) and rarely costs more than £5.  I may come across as cheap and stingy, but coming from a low income household I'm happy to suffer a couple of extra pounds on my back to save a few in my wallet.


Funnily enough I have been looking at food dehydrators on amazon recently, with the intention of trying my hand at dehydrating my own meals and snacks on the cheap.  Anyone have any experience with this, are the commercial dehydrators any good?
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: Owen on 20:17:07, 18/06/18
I have a de-hydrator, I find their great for drying fruits not bad for vegetables but I've never had any success with meats. Even at their best they're not as good as freeze dry and vegetables dried this way take longer to re-hydrate. You really need to leave them soaking for an hour or so before cooking.
I'm planning on going for a week in Knoydart soon, I'll be taking;


For breakfast, porridge with freeze dried berries https://www.healthysupplies.co.uk/freeze-dried-fruit.html milk powder and sugar added. This comes to 185g and 500kcals per day. Plus lemon tea.


For mid-day snacks, rye bread 50g or 2 slices per day. two tubes of squeeze cheese for the week.   
40g of flap-jacks and 60g of dried fruit (apples, bananas, pineapple and kiwi fruit) per day. that works out as an average of 190g per day I'm not sure what calories.


 For evening meal a bewell meal, I know their expensive but I buy a couple each month to spread the cost. When I go away for a week or two backpacking I don't stop, I want to be out in the hills not shopping. Because of this the wet food packets like LWIF would just be to heavy. They're also quite heavy on gas as they need a lot of heating, whereas with freeze dry you just need to bring your water to the boil, stir it in and leave.   
   
Title: Re: Trail food?
Post by: ninthace on 14:16:35, 19/06/18
I am currently hiking in the Austrian Alps and have found the best technique is to plan my walks to hit huts and Alms at strategic intervals. Nothing hits the spot like Apfelstrudel and a glass of Weissbier. Saves pack weight too, Euros weigh next to nothing.  😁