Foods You Should Carry In Your Backpack When Hiking In India

Broken Wheat (Dalia)

Hiking with friends is an enjoyable outdoor activity and is a popular one in India. It is invigorating exercise and fun rolled into one. When you are going on a hike you h. ave to take particular care of the type of food you carry with you.

A day trip doesn’t need much planning because you can leave after eating a healthy breakfast and return to base for dinner. A multi-day hike in India will need extensive planning. Supplying your body with just the calories will not suffice. You have to ensure that your body gets all the essential nutrients.

Try to have a good distribution of food from the food pyramid. With a vitamin supplement added to your daily diet, you should be good to go. The calories you consume per day should ideally have proteins – 15%, carbohydrates – 50%-60%, and fats – 20%-35%. Protein is essential for keeping your muscles healthy, fats provide you with long-burning energy, and carbohydrates are required for fast energy.

Eating the right kind of food on a hike is a challenge. Your body works out so much that you feel the food you eat is insufficient. There is an overwhelming urge to eat a lot but over-eating is a big no-no while hiking. It is necessary to strike the right balance.

Carbohydrates do give you energy but you must make sure you are eating the correct type of carbohydrate. Complex carbohydrates like Dalia (broken wheat, available in all shops across India) are good for a hearty breakfast because they are released very slowly in our system. Simple carbs like chocolates and energy bars with high-fructose corn syrup should be avoided.

A rough estimate of half-a-kilo of food per day should suffice. But always pack 20% extra food. Carry water for sure (at least 3 liters) but also buy some water-purifying tablets. Here is a list of suggested food you can take along on a hike:

  1. Dry fruits and nuts: they are rich in essential nutrients and fats. They stay fresh for quite a few days. Fats are particularly beneficial when you are hiking for days.
  2. Fresh fruits like apple and pomegranate can stay fresh for a few days.
  3. Dry fruits and nuts for hiking

    Dry breakfast cereals and nutritional energy bars are handy treats and energy-providers any time of the day (or night)

  4. Buy some Thepla (available readymade in supermarkets in North/Western India) and Puranpoli (sweet chapatti). Both these will stay fresh for a couple of days.
  5. Few packs of Maggi ready-to-make soup packets. Some places have Knorr soup pouches.
  6. A box of tea bags and few tins of condensed milk (sweetened) for a refreshing hot cuppa.
  7. Few loaves of bread, bagels, and buns with some cheese and jam to go with it.
  8. Whole wheat biscuits and crackers from bakery.
  9. A few packets of dehydrated food (available only in big cities)
  10. Several packets of dates for energy.

Also keep these tips in mind when you hike –

  • Have a healthy breakfast
  • Avoid caffeine and alcohol
  • Avoid sugar candies and chocolates
  • Drink 4-5 liters of water

Hope you found this article informative! Do check out “Wildlife Safari and Other Outdoor Activities That Are Best Enjoyed In India