When you’re out hiking and camping, it’s essential to keep your food cold and fresh. If you don’t, you’ll end up with a stomachache or worse. So food safety while you’re out in the wilderness is essential.
In this article, we’ll give you some tips on keeping your food cold while backpacking.
Choose the Right Food Storage Container
One of the most important things you can do to keep your food cold while hiking is to choose the correct food storage container. It would be best to make sure that the container is insulated and has a tight-fitting seal.
Some of the best food storage containers for hiking are vacuum-sealed pouches. These pouches are made from durable material and have a tight seal. They’re also easy to clean. There are also vacuum seal-style containers in more of a traditional food container like a cube or rectangle. These vacuum storage containers help keep food fresh by removing most of the air from the package.
Another great option is a cold storage box. These boxes are also made from durable material and have a tight seal. They come in different sizes and can hold a lot of food. Unfortunately, these containers tend to be a bit bulky and heavy. If you need to travel light, I suggest skipping this style container.
Pre-Chill Your Food Containers
Check this out, a top tip to keep food cold is pre-chill your food storage containers. Yes! Put the container itself in the freezer! This means that you can store your food in the fridge or freezer before you leave for your hike. The container will become cold, helping to keep the food temperature down. Residual coldness in the container will prolong the time your food is cold.
To pre-chill your food storage containers, you first need to place the clean, empty container in the freezer overnight. This means that you’ll put your food in a container that’s already frozen. It may seem silly but trust me, this method of pre-chilling your containers is a game-changer.
Pack Your Food Strategically
Another great way to keep food cold on a hike is to pack it strategically. For example, pack your freeze-dried meals in the warmer part of your bag and your fresh food in the colder section. This way, you’ll be able to keep your most perishable foods colder while the freeze-dried food stays fresh. Another great way to pack your food is to put your freeze-dried meals in an insulated container. This way, not only will your meals remain cold, but they’ll also stay nutritious.
When packing your food, make sure to pack it in a way that will protect it from the cold. For example, pack your food in vacuum storage containers or cold storage boxes. These types of containers help to remove most of the air from the package, which will help to keep the food colder.
How Do You Keep Ice Packs Frozen Longer?
Here are some tips for hikers to keep ice packs frozen while backpacking:
- Use a Cooler Bag: When you are packing your cooler, make sure to pack it in a way that keeps the food cold. One way to do this is to pack it in a cooler bag. This will help to keep the food cold and fresh.
- Put your ice pack in the freezer long before you leave for your hike. When you are packing your cooler, make sure to load your ice packs in a way that will keep them frozen. This way, you’ll be able to keep your food cold and fresh.
- Use a Waterproof Bag: Another way to keep your food cold and fresh is to use a waterproof bag. This will help to keep the food cold quite easily. A waterproof bag will also help keep your food from getting ruined if it gets wet.
- Don’t leave your ice pack in direct sunlight. This will cause the ice pack to melt quickly, which will destroy your food.
Foods That Stay Fresh and Last the Longest in Your Pack
Generally, foods that stay fresh and last the longest in your pack are fruits and vegetables.
When you’re hiking, you need to have a variety of different foods. First, you’ll want to have water-rich foods like fruits and vegetables. You’ll also want to have some shelf-stable products, including nuts or dried fruit. You’ll also want to have some protein-rich foods like jerky or beef sticks. And finally, you’ll need something sweet like a granola bar or a protein bar.
For your food to stay fresh and edible, keeping your food in an airtight container with an oxygen absorber is vital. This prevents the food from absorbing any moisture or bacteria and keeps it safe to consume. Unfortunately, this simple strategy is often overlooked. If you’re serious about keeping your food fresh while you’re hiking, then take this into account. The miniature oxygen absorbers are also really affordable, many times coming in packs of 100 or more.
If you are looking for long-lasting food that stays fresh and can be stored in a remote location, then here are some foods that you should consider.
- Canned tuna
- Canned chicken
- Canned vegetables
- Canned fruit
- Dried beans
Tips for Packing the Best Snacks and Drinks for Your Backpacking Trip
If you are planning a hiking trip, it is essential to pack the right snacks and drinks to keep you going. Ideally, you want these snacks to be easy to carry, lightweight, long-lasting, and provide you with enough energy and calories to keep you going. Here are some of the best snacks and drinks you can bring on your hiking trip.
Trail Mix: This is an easy snack that you can make with many ingredients. You can also buy pre-packaged trail mix from the store.
Nuts: Nuts are a great source of protein and healthy fats, which will help keep you full and satisfied while on the trail.
Fruit Leathers: Fruit leathers are a great snack because they provide plenty of nutrients while low in sugar and fat.
The best drink for a hiking trip is water. A hiker should have at least a half-gallon of water for every hour of hiking.
Fruit juice is also a good choice, but use caution when adding sugar as it can cause hypoglycemia in people with diabetes. Beer is not recommended for a hiking trip. Beer contains many calories and alcohol, which will impair you while you’re hiking.
When packing snacks and drinks for a hiking trip, you should consider the following factors:
- How long will you be out?
- What type of terrain will you be hiking on?
- What temperature is it outside?
- How much water are you carrying with you?
- What type of snacks are best for your group or friends?
