Snacks for hiking: What you should take with you in your backpack

Snacks for hiking – When camping, extensive day trips and hikes away from the campsite and roof tent are part of a successful camping vacation.
However, it is important to take a rucksack with a full water bottle and enough energy-giving food with you.
You can find out what you should bear in mind and which snacks are particularly suitable here.

Camping Ratgeber:

Full of energy with the right foods

What should I take with me when hiking?
As it’s usually quite difficult to buy something to eat on the way, you should pack enough food and drink in advance.
Nothing ruins an outdoor excursion like a growling stomach or a sudden lack of energy.
But which snacks are particularly suitable for long hikes?

Hiking and snacks: the right choice

A good snack for on the go is something that is rich in nutrients, gives you plenty of energy for a long time and provides you with important vitamins and minerals.
It should also not be too heavy to carry and easy to eat without taking up too much space.
Especially on longer tours, it is important to make sure you eat a balanced and nutritious diet.
This is the only way to provide your body with the energy and nutrients it needs for the day’s exertions.
First of all, it is important to drink enough fluids.
Especially on hot days or during physical exertion, you lose a lot of water through sweat.
You should therefore always drink enough to avoid dehydration.
As far as food is concerned, you should focus on light and nutritious snacks.
This is because heavy and greasy meals are not only difficult to digest, but can also make you tired quickly. You should pay attention to this when choosing your snacks:

Is rich in nutrients
Provides plenty of energy for a long time
Provides you with vitamins and minerals
Should be easy to transport
Easily digestible foods

With the right snacks for on the go, nothing stands in the way of an eventful excursion!

These snacks are suitable for hikes

Here are some great options for healthy and nutritious snacks that are perfect for your next hike:

Fruit and vegetables
Nuts and seeds
Dried fruit
Wholemeal bread
Oat flakes

Fruit and vegetables

Fruit is perfect for long day trips and should be on your hiking packing list.
These classic hiking snacks are easy to transport and full of vitamins and minerals.
A banana, for example, contains lots of magnesium, which is good for your muscles, and apples also increase your stamina – ideal for long, eventful trips.
In general, fruit provides you with lots of vitamins and the fructose it contains gives you plenty of energy.
But some vegetables, such as carrots, cucumbers and tomatoes, are just as good.
The benefits of fruit:

Increases stamina
Lots of vitamins and provides energy
Can be taken along on excursions

Nuts and seeds

Nuts and seeds are another great choice for on the go.
They’re full of protein, fiber and healthy fats that boost your concentration, support your cardiovascular system and keep you full for longer.
Walnuts, pumpkin seeds and chia seeds are all great options.
Ideally, you should simply take bars with you that contain lots of seeds, oats and nuts!
These don’t take up much space or weight in your backpack and can therefore be easily taken and eaten while hiking, walking or cycling.
Bars with seeds and nuts are therefore recommended:

Bars can be easily stowed away on excursions
Seeds and nuts are particularly filling
Full of protein, fiber and healthy fats
Promote concentration and provide energy
Support the cardiovascular system

A muesli bar is the perfect source of energy for hikes and excursions!

Dried fruit

Dried fruit is also an excellent choice for on the go.
It is full of nutrients and usually has less sugar than fresh fruit.
It’s also easier to carry in your backpack.
Dates, dried apricots and dried cranberries are all great options for hiking and sporting activities.
Good reasons to choose dried fruit:

Full of nutrients
Less sugar than fresh fruit
Easy to transport

Wholemeal bread with topping

In addition to nuts and fruit, you should also pack wholemeal bread.
It is slow to digest and therefore provides you with plenty of energy for a long time.
It also contains fiber, vitamins and minerals.
Of course, you can add whatever toppings you like to your bread.
If you add avocado or peanut butter, for example, this snack will provide you with even more nutrients!
That’s why you should have wholemeal bread with you:

Slow to digest
Provides a lot of energy for a very long time
Contains fiber, vitamins and minerals
To be supplemented with other nutrient-rich toppings

Oatmeal with berries

Oatmeal is another great on-the-go choice as it is high in calories, protein, carbohydrates and fiber, providing you with an all-round energy boost.
Simply add the oats to your yogurt or porridge for even more protein.
Ideally, top it all off with berries, seeds and raisins and you’re all set for an eventful day.
Oat flakes are ideal for this:

Full of calories, proteins and carbohydrates
Rich in fiber
Deliver a lot of energy
To be supplemented with berries, seeds and raisins

Oatmeal is perfect for a filling and energizing breakfast!

Dark chocolate

Even if you might not immediately think of chocolate as an energy-giving food, it’s still very practical when camping.
The high-fat and high-calorie food effectively replenishes your energy in moderation and is therefore a great snack for in between meals.
Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content is particularly recommended.
This is because cocoa helps to reduce stress and increase energy and concentration.
Dark chocolate also contains some caffeine, which boosts your energy levels.
The benefits of chocolate (in moderation):

High in fat and calories
Effectively replenishes energy
Helps to reduce stress
Increases concentration

How many snacks should I take with me?

How many snacks you should take with you ultimately depends on the length of your tour.
Of course, you will need more food for a full day trip than for a two-hour hike.
It also makes sense to eat and drink more if it is a warm day or very strenuous on the way.
However, especially on longer tours, you should make sure to eat small amounts at regular intervals and not eat your fill all at once.
The higher the intensity of your route, the more carbohydrates you need.
Ideally, you should consume around 100 calories per hour of your excursion.
So when packing your rucksack, make sure you pack enough snacks for the entire duration, but not too much, as you will have to carry the extra weight.
You should bear this in mind when packing your snacks: