Original photo by Dmytro Matsiuk on Unsplash
An army travels on its stomach.
– Anonymous
I’m excited for the warmer weather to return. I can already see the signs that spring is on its way. This summer I have special plans. I plan to backpack the thirty-mile Skyline to the Sea Trail. It descends from the crest of California’s Santa Cruz Mountains to the shore of the Pacific Ocean. Along the way it meanders through grasslands, oak woodland, and amazing Redwood forest.
My mind has started to think about the trip. And naturally my thoughts turn to food. Or, more precisely: trail snacks!
When you’re backpacking you transport everything on your back – Your clothes, house, kitchen, and food. So you want the most from the food you carry. From my snacks, I want calories! They must provide energy to power my sorry butt up the steepest hills and down the most precarious switch-backs.
So, I dusted off my old backpacking food list to find the most energy rich trail snacks. I want to share the results with you.
About the List
The list contains only items I’ve eaten, or seen people eat on the trail. So don’t complain that I’ve omitted Mopane worms (a food I was served in Africa) or your other favorite snacks. All foods on the list are snacks you can easily purchase at any supermarket.
I’ve had to make some changes to my list. Surprisingly, some modern versions of high-calorie food from yesteryear actually have fewer calories. I credit the healthy eating movement for this reduction in calories.
Also, not all calories are created equal. Calories from simple sugars burn fast. Calories from fat become available slowly and sustain you longer. Pay attention to where your snacks get their calories.
The list does not take nutrition into account. Some low-calorie foods have essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals you need to stay healthy. This list looks solely at the energy content of the snacks.
The 20 Highest-Calorie Backpacking Snacks
Do you have a favorite high-calorie snack not on the list? Share it in the comments below.
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Beef jerky is a snack that will provide calories, fat and protein.
Sandy, you are right that jerky is a good source of protein and fat. But it turns out that it’s a poor source of calories. Store bought beef jerky contains around 80 calories per ounce.
I like Big Hunk candy bars. It’s a nougat bar that can be cracked into chewable pieces while on the trail. They may be hard to find, but they do sell them at the Big Basin store.
Hal, I did some research to learn more about them. The Annabelle Candy Company describes the bar as, “a chewy, honey-sweetened nougat bar with whole roasted peanuts.” The bars contain 125 calories per ounce. More importantly, they sound yummy!
Kirkland Signature (shameless plug) dry roasted Macadamia Nuts with sea salt. Ingredients: Macadamia Nuts, Sea Salt. Calories per 1oz serving 210.
Calories and salt in one package. Who can beat that! 🙂