An adventurer’s appetite

Shawn Paik

Delicious trail mix for your camping trip

Whether you are hiking, biking or simply sitting around a campfire, any outdoor adventure requires the proper fuel. Packing food that is both tasty and portable requires a bit of forethought, but, with some planning, your adventure is sure to be delicious.

There are some important aspects to remember when filling your backpack with snacks for an outdoor trip that includes physical activity. Your choices should be non-perishable, easy to carry and nutritious enough to give your body the energy it needs to power through the day.

High-protein energy bars, such as Clif Bars, are a great choice because they are small, but filling enough

to tide you over until you get back to your campsite. Fruit is another portable snack to consider bringing, but be sure to stick to choices such as apples, bananas and oranges, which will not get squashed as easily as other fruits. Babybel cheese wheels are also a good choice, as they come prepackaged in a wax shell and are perfect for pairing with crackers when you stop to eat.

Once you are back at your campsite, your food options do not have to be limited to just roasting hot dogs over a fire. Be sure to bring some aluminum foil with you, as you can use it to wrap potatoes, veggies and even burritos, which you can then cook over hot coals.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches seem like an obvious, if boring, outdoor

meal, but you can take this standby up a notch by adding apple slices, bananas or Nutella. Consider using flatbread or pita bread for your sandwiches, which are easier to pack than a standard loaf. Oatmeal and instant coffee are perfect items to pack for breakfast because all you have to add is hot water.

Trail mix, as its name implies, is the ideal food for hiking, as its nutritious mix of nuts, seeds and dried fruit provide a dense, stick-to-your-ribs snack that will keep you satisfied without adding a lot of weight to your bag. Just be sure to watch your portions when eating trail mix, as it is usually high in calories.

If you want a tasty twist on trail mix that you can make yourself, try this recipe, which combines two classic camping favorites.

Sweet & Salty S’mores Trail Mix

Ingredients

1 cup Teddy Grahams 1 cup miniature pretzels 1 cup miniature marshmallows 1/2 cup chocolate chips 1/2 cup cocoa roast almonds 1/2 cup salted peanuts.

Directions

Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and then distribute in snack-sized portions.

Serves 4.

A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, Oct. 9 print edition. Email Rebecca Riddle at [email protected]