I am preparing meals in a ziploc bag…(couscous, TVP, nuts, taco seasoning) (oatmeal, nuts, fruit, dehydrated milk)
I realize that while on the trail i will probably need more calories and be more hungry…should I put 2 servings in each zip loc?
is this even a good idea to pre make some meals?
i pat
I did it with Liptons and it worked out ok. It says 1.5c water and .5c milk, but I just put 1c of water and some olive oil and let it sit about 10 min.
Just Jeff
Most folks tend to realize how much they eat on trail and keep a fine edge between being hungry all the time and staying healthy vs pack weight. We pig out in town to make up for it. Planning for a trip based on what you think you may eat for volume may be hard. Something like a pound to a pound and a half a day is a good start but also each food is heavier than another. Weighing food is vague at best. A pound of M’s isn’t a pound of pasta.
I’d start off with 1 serving a meal or about 2 cups-ish. After a week you could up them a little more. Even after months on trail I have trouble downing a liter of food at night. Depends on the meal. Some fill better than others. You’ll get it down.
Bushwhack
You will probably not have a huge appetite the first couple of days to a week, then it will hit you with a vengeance. Keep that in mind when you are out the first few days, and don’t gauge the trip by that.
With that being said, your best option, if you are pre-packing some meals is to pack AT LEAST 2 servings for each meal, if not more. A lot of people carry a few ramens, and break some up in each meal as an added filler.
The most difficult thing about pre-packing food is getting tired of what you pack. Keep a wide variety, try it all out before you go, and keep in mind that you may end up picking up a few things along the way and discarding some of your pre-packaged meals.
It may be a good idea to double-bag the zip-locks, as well, or get some super-sturdy zip-locks (freezer bags, etc). They are VERY easy to tear.
bearbait
Is it a good idea to pre pack meals? Generally not, because your tastes will probably change, and you will probably either put most of your pre packaged food in swap boxes, or just throw it away and go to the store anyway.
How much? Being active all day long, you will need to double your calorie intake. Read the labels on packaging. You will probably consume at least 4000 calories per day.
Peaks
What Peaks said about tastes changing can be very true, but I found that I liked having my mail drops because there were some meals that were my comfort food and on bad or cold or rainy days I was just glad to know that I had my same old dinner of creamy chicken liptons, with sweet sue chicken, and cheese. Like a giant bowl of chicken noodle soup. And Little Debbie Cosmic brownies for dessert.
Blip
Here is a great website for links on cooking in your freezer bags. Helps me not carry anything other than my metal cup:
gumball