In winter and snow conditions, your body burns more calories to stay warm, so it’s important to focus on high-calorie, nutritious, and hearty foods. Here’s a three-day menu tailored for backpacking in winter conditions:
Day 1:
Breakfast:
- Hot Porridge: Instant oatmeal mixed with powdered milk, butter or coconut oil, dried fruits, and nuts. Prepare with hot water.
- Hot Chocolate with Powdered Creamer: For added calories and warmth.
- Hot Chocolate.
Lunch:
- Dense Rye Bread or Crackers: Topped with high-fat cheese and salami.
- Trail Mix: Emphasize nuts, seeds, and chocolate for high energy.
- Hot Soup: Instant soup packets or cup noodles, easy to prepare with hot water.
Dinner:
- Creamy Pasta: Instant pasta with a cheese sauce, enhanced with freeze-dried vegetables and pouches of chicken or tuna.
- Hot Cocoa with Marshmallows.
- Fruit Pudding: Instant mix.
Day 2:
Breakfast:
- Full Fat Powdered Eggs: Scrambled with pre-cooked bacon bits.
- Instant Pancakes: Prepared with extra butter and topped with honey or syrup.
- Hot Tea with Honey.
Lunch:
- Tortilla Wraps: Filled with peanut butter, honey, and banana chips.
- Instant Miso or Chicken Broth: For warmth and hydration.
- Energy or Protein Bars.
Dinner:
- Freeze-Dried Backpacking Meal: Options like beef chili or creamy chicken and rice, which are hearty and warming.
- Instant Mashed Potatoes: With added cheese and butter.
- Hot Apple Cider Mix.
Day 3:
Breakfast:
- Granola with Powdered Milk and Dried Berries: Can be eaten cold or hot.
- Coffee with Creamer.
- Hot Chocolate.
Lunch:
- Pita Bread with Canned Sardines or Smoked Salmon.
- Mixed Nuts with Dried Fruits.
- Hot Herbal Tea.
Dinner:
- Instant Risotto or Couscous: Mix with freeze-dried vegetables and chunks of hard cheese.
- Hot Soup: Lentil or split pea soup mixes.
- Chocolate or Vanilla Pudding: Instant mix with powdered milk.
Snacks (for throughout the three days):
- Chocolate: Dark chocolate provides quick energy.
- Energy Gels or Chews: Useful for quick boosts.
- Nut Butter Packs: Individual packs of almond or peanut butter.
- Beef or Turkey Jerky.
- Roasted Chickpeas: For crunch and protein.
Remember to drink plenty of water, even if you’re not feeling particularly thirsty. Dehydration can occur even in cold conditions. Adjust the food quantities based on your energy expenditure, and always pack some extra food in case of emergencies. Stay warm and fueled!