View Full Version : The Great Breakfast Debate
Ok here one for everone for breakfast what have most of you had when you started
your hike. did most of you go with poptarts and oatmeal and mabye silmlite breakfast drink. I plan on bringing hard boil eggs pre cook bacon you can buy this in
most of The stores i am also gone to bring some fresh eggs to go with the bacon
lone wolf have some good ideals.
:-?
I think that will last about 2-3 days you will probably want to get hiking. I hope you do keep it up because thats a good way to make some friends. I will bring eggs and bacon and good food when I am on a long weekend trip. On the A.T. its kinda to much work. I ate snickers, gorp, and sometimes ramin.
I eat bagels. I don't like to sit around in the coldest part of the day and cook and clean dishes. I like to get up and get walking to stay warm.
For the first 2 months I had instant oatmeal & instant coffee. When it go warmer I had some kind of dry cereal with powdered milk & instant coffer. I than went to beagles and peanutbutter & coffee. I ended my hike with instant oatmeal again.
Large Honey Buns. The 2 for a $1 variety you get in convenience stores. Glazed or Iced, if you can find 'em. Nearly 500 calories apiece. Doesn't matter if they get crushed, just lick the wrapper. Haven't found anything comparable.
yahtzee, Thats a great idea I love those dang things. Cheap too
Large Honey Buns. The 2 for a $1 variety you get in convenience stores. Glazed or Iced, if you can find 'em. Nearly 500 calories apiece. Doesn't matter if they get crushed, just lick the wrapper. Haven't found anything comparable.
that is 2nd breakfast for me.:D
the_black_spot
01-20-2009, 13:21
the honey buns are great. they seem to digest well while walking
I have "Judy's Granola", tortillas and peanut butter, and coffee for breakfast. I only like to heat water for coffee and then get my body up the trail. A nice cheese omelet and bacon for dinner is yum yum.
Lone Wolf
01-20-2009, 14:00
On the A.T. its kinda to much work.
how do you figure that? it's not much work at all
Slo-go'en
01-20-2009, 14:02
Yeah, massive dose of suger in the morning - honey buns, apple pies, pop tarts to get me going, then maybe a power bar a little later once the suger burns off. I don't like cooking in the morning, want to get moving ASAP.
Your right lonewolf, what was I thinking. I forgot how I got up and cooked ham,eggs,bacon, toast,hash browns,biscuits and gravy, and a bloody marry every day. I really didnt want any one to know because I wanted it to be my little secret.
Your right lonewolf, what was I thinking. I forgot how I got up and cooked ham,eggs,bacon, toast,hash browns,biscuits and gravy, and a bloody marry every day. I really didnt want any one to know because I wanted it to be my little secret.
First b'fast out of town every time!!! Except the toast> Toaster too damn heavy!!!!:)
Lone Wolf
01-20-2009, 14:10
most wannabe thru-hikers are in a rush to get in miles to take a few extra minutes to cook good stuff.
most wannabe thru-hikers are in a rush to get in miles to take a few extra minutes to cook good stuff.
Ain't that the "trooth"! Gotta have them taters in the A-M :)
Rain Man
01-20-2009, 14:14
I than went to beagles and peanutbutter & coffee.
Beagles?! Hot dogs, maybe? :D
Rain:sunMan
.
Pop-tarts don't hold up very well in a pack, in my experience. You end up with pulverized bits in a flimsy foil bag
Coffee 1st thing, regardless of the temperature. Fruits and cream oatmeal in the colder months. Smart Start and powdered milk in the warmer months, sometimes after a couple miles..
I usually just grab some trail mix, granola bar, whatever in the Morning, then head out. Usually stop an hour or two later, at some view or nice place to get out the stove and have some coffee, maybe oatmeal, or my first snack - whatever that might me. Could be peanut butter and crackers, salami, cheese, more trail mix, snickers. I'm very "Unregimented" when it comes to what constitutes breakfast.
the_black_spot
01-20-2009, 15:48
I usually just grab some trail mix, granola bar, whatever in the Morning, then head out. Usually stop an hour or two later, at some view or nice place to get out the stove and have some coffee, maybe oatmeal, or my first snack - whatever that might me. Could be peanut butter and crackers, salami, cheese, more trail mix, snickers. I'm very "Unregimented" when it comes to what constitutes breakfast.
i think you are right. unregimented is key. Sometimes when i wake up on the trail, i am not even hungry. rather than stuffing my face with something, i just start walking, and eat at will.
i don't think our bodies are designed to walk long distance and eat big meals at the same time.
i just eat breakfast related snacks in the morning, lunch related snacks in the afternoon, and a real dinner at night.
I cook up instant oatmeal every morning along with a cup of coffee. I'm in no hurry. Lazy sometimes, and I have a breakfast bar if I feel lazy, but never in a hurry...... ever......
I usually don't eat before I start walking for the day. Normally, my first bite is at first break. Not in a hurry really, just wake up with lots of energy and like to get moving rather than wander aimlessly around camp.
Pop-tarts don't hold up very well in a pack, in my experience. You end up with pulverized bits in a flimsy foil bag
before you start/in town... go ahead and crumble up each pair of poptarts in their foil bag, then dump all the crumbled foil bags into a gallon bag, then shake it around, all the little crumbs stick to the gooie parts, making them a less messy snack, no gooieness getting on your hands and no crumbs falling everywhere, easier to munch on during the day
I wouldn't think of it as a debate. I would think of it in terms as different strokes for different folks. I would approach it as, "what can I learn that will help me decide what's best for my hiking arrangements." I will tell U this. Don't think of an oatmeal breakfast as just oatmeal. U can easily add dried milks(cow, goat, soy(vanilla), protein powders(hemp and whey protein isolate, etc.), coconut flakes, dried and freeze dried fruits, nuts(almonds R one of my favorite), seeds(pumpkin, sunflower, hemp(nutritionally awesome), flax, sesame, etc.), dehydrated butters, bacon bits, jerkies, dried meats, etc. to add cals per oz. and variety. Be creative with oatmeal! And, a cheaper way to offset the additons to a tasty and more nutritious oatmeal breakfast is to start off buying plain quick cook oatmeal from bulk bins found in many grocery stores. I've seen oatmeal sold like this for as little as .49 cents per lb.
the_black_spot
01-20-2009, 17:13
I wouldn't think of it as a debate. I would think of it in terms as different strokes for different folks. I would approach it as, "what can I learn that will help me decide what's best for my hiking arrangements." I will tell U this. Don't think of an oatmeal breakfast as just oatmeal. U can easily add dried milks(cow, goat, soy(vanilla), protein powders(hemp and whey protein isolate, etc.), coconut flakes, dried and freeze dried fruits, nuts(almonds R one of my favorite), seeds(pumpkin, sunflower, hemp(nutritionally awesome), flax, sesame, etc.), dehydrated butters, bacon bits, jerkies, dried meats, etc. to add cals per oz. and variety. Be creative with oatmeal! And, a cheaper way to offset the additons to a tasty and more nutritious oatmeal breakfast is to start off buying plain quick cook oatmeal from bulk bins found in many grocery stores. I've seen oatmeal sold like this for as little as .49 cents per lb.
nice ideas. after reading that, i may reconsider my view on oatmeal.
i am thinking sliced almonds, nido, brown sugar, some raisins...
Peanut and almond butters, as well as coffee, added to oatmeal can also work.
garlic08
01-20-2009, 17:14
Four to six fig newtons for me, then a couple hours later some oats ala Dogwood.
StarLyte
01-20-2009, 17:33
An all grain bagel with crunchy peanut butter.
I eat bagels. I don't like to sit around in the coldest part of the day and cook and clean dishes. I like to get up and get walking to stay warm.
Me too, I get up and get out on the trail as soon as possible. After about an hour I'll stop and have a bagel, an english muffin, or a tortilla with peanut butter. For lunch I have the same, but with cheese and maybe some jerky. Then I cook a warm dinner.
joshua5878
01-20-2009, 18:29
Large Honey Buns. The 2 for a $1 variety you get in convenience stores. Glazed or Iced, if you can find 'em. Nearly 500 calories apiece. Doesn't matter if they get crushed, just lick the wrapper. Haven't found anything comparable.
I adore those things!!! I would never eat them in my sedentary existence though! Man I can't wait till 02-20-09! I plan on adding in some oatmeal also, but to be able to eat honey buns even every now and then get my tail waggin!
jersey joe
01-20-2009, 18:55
Despite packing oatmeal for my first 14 days on the trail, I had absolutely no desire to wake up and cook in the morning, especially when cold out. I'd wake up, hit the trail ASAP and hike to a nice view, then sit down and have breakfast.
Blissful
01-20-2009, 18:56
Eat whatever is in your bag. You can have lunch for breakfast. There are no set rules. Eat what you want - and what you want to carry too. But I have found the breakfast bacon to be too greasy for me.
Hikes in Rain
01-20-2009, 20:07
Coffee, first of all. My eyes gripe about the contact lenses without coffee. Not sure why, but I do listen to my eyes. Love cheese grits after that, with bacon bits and more cheese shaved into it. Then more coffee. Before you know it, I'm wondering where the morning went.
Serial 07
01-20-2009, 20:11
coffee and ****(awesome...matthewski slang has been banned!!!)...and maybe a bagel...
Wise Old Owl
01-20-2009, 20:38
Your right lonewolf, what was I thinking. I forgot how I got up and cooked ham,eggs,bacon, toast,hash browns,biscuits and gravy, and a bloody marry every day. I really didnt want any one to know because I wanted it to be my little secret.:eek: your secret is out!
Folks Pop tarts are popular and a mess for the trail with the hard cookie shell. If you are carefull this is the way to go on the trail! less mess, add sugar afterwards.
http://randombumbles.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/toaster_strudel_482x193.jpg
Earl Grey
01-20-2009, 21:13
I had a pack of pop tarts, 2 things of oatmeal, a bagel and hot tea.
WiseOldOwl, I like the picture. My fav flavor too, strawberry. I stared at the pic so long I think I subliminally started to see naked hula girls hidden in the icing!
sleeveless
01-20-2009, 22:08
Since my breakfasts were so different from all the above I decided to chime in. I did mail drops and before I left I prepared 7 grain cereal with extra oats, dry milk powder, nuts and dryed fruit. I put that in a snack size baggie. The night before I would put a little water in the bag. In the morning I would add a little hot water. No cooking, no dishes to wash but an energy filled and healthy breakfast. I noticed the days I ate something different I never had as much energy.
sleeveless AT'05
http://www.trailjournals.com/sleeveless
daddytwosticks
01-21-2009, 07:33
Where do you find those Toaster Strudels in the grocery store? Do they require refrigeration?
Oats.
If it's no oats, IT'S CRAP.
Instant breakfast with powdered milk. bagel eaten on the trail.
I started out intending to make coffee and maybe oatmeal, but couldn't bring myself to cook in the morning chill. Also, I sleep about 10 to 12 hours on the trail anddon't need/crave the caffeine kick like I do at home.
Grinder
I change around from time to time as my tastes change and/or I get tired of what I've been using. I've done pop tarts, flavored oatmeal, Atkins bars, cereal w/powdered milk most often.
cliff bar or lulu bar sometimes some peanuts. After being in the tent for several hrs i am ready to start walking. best time of the day for me... often just stick it in my pocket and eat as i go.
sheepdog
01-21-2009, 09:13
My favorite, minute rice with dried fruit, brown sugar, cinnamon, dry milk.
TrippinBTM
01-21-2009, 09:38
oatmeal (the flavored kind), granola, granola bars/powerbars, and pop tarts. Got sick of the poptarts after about a week, and after a month could no longer eat them. Still won't go near the things.
A big breakfast isn't my style. Eat a little, then snack from then on as needed. I'm usually not very hungry in the morning. But I'd never stop to cook once I got moving like some people, just didn't want to bother.
bacon and eggs sounds awesome, but only for short trips. It'd be too much hassle on a thru.
Stuff that can be added to oats...
Sugar, Brown Sugar, Honey, Mollasses, Corn Syrup, Maple Syrup,
Raisins, Currants, Dates, Apples,
Almonds, Walnuts, Pine Nuts, Peanuts, Cashews,
Sunflower Seeds, Pumkin Seeds,
Cinammon, Nutmeg, Spruce Needles, Cedar Needles,
Butter, Olive Oil, Bacon Fat, and of course...
Fried Bacon
Not all at once mind you. lol
grew up eating alot of oatmeal, hadn't probalby eaten any since i was 11-12yrs old, then tried to eat it on the trail, that lasted like a day or two, my younger brother still eats 2 packets everymorning, never ever gets sick, he had perfect attendance from kindergarden through 12th grade
Grits are awesome, and also one you can make in the little pouch, work for dinner too, add a ramen flavoring packet...
so mostly my breakfasts was... grits (if i wanted something hot) granola bar, a candy bar, my pre-crumbled poptarts, and fruit if i recently came out of town
Beer is also good for breakfast. Plenty of carbs to get you started in the morning.
Stuff that can be added to oats...
You forgot serviceberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.
Are baked apple berries any good? Never have eaten any. They'd be available few places along the A.T. and then may be protected where they might be encountered.
Secret Breakfast: MRE French Toast. No cooking...just open the packet and eat.
Second Secret Breakfast: MRE flat bread with MRE Apple Butter.
Cool AT Breeze
01-21-2009, 13:35
Quaker banana bread oatmeal bar and a cup of coffee.
boarstone
01-21-2009, 19:12
I've been known to use those coffee flavored creamers in oatmeal/cream of wheat/coffee/dry cereal and in a coffee brandy or two.....
Sleepy the Arab
01-21-2009, 19:45
A chipmunk and a handful of gravel.
I been thinking about hotdogs for dinner since i am taking a small fry pan small fry pan
can sure add a lot to your menu i been looking at some of the froze french toast in the
store gone to see if i can cook them in the fry pan i let you know how it turn out.
middle to middle
01-22-2009, 13:14
Fig Newtons only got mentioned once. They are great fuel for a hike or bike. Bike racers eat them for quick and steady energy. They are heavy tho compared to oatmeal.
Your forgot serviceberries, blueberries, blackberries and raspberries.
Are baked apple berries any good? Never have eaten any. They'd be available few places along the A.T. and then may be protected where they might be encountered.
Do you mean bakeapples? I think I may have had those in Newfoundland. In other places they are called cloudberries. I've also had partridgeberries in Newfoundland. Cape Breton also has lots of berries we don't have here. Lots of berries up north I would like to try some day also.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloudberry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaccinium_vitis-idaea
Mountain ash berries are good in small numbers and survive into winter. Haven't tried those in oatmeal yet. It would only take 2 or 3 to add considerable flavour. You could probably stomach a dozen or so before the sorbic acid is a bit much. Heating them helps. Apparently the freezing action of winter mellows them out a bit also. I think the sorbic acid is there so that the birds won't eat them until winter, and won't eat them all at once, which allows them to get scattered better, and later in the season. Not sure, but that's my guess. Bears eat them also. The berries are very pretty when they are bright red or orange. I like the wood also. The Mountain Ash is my favourite hardwood tree.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rowan
Enjoyed the Wiki articles. Not certain where I came across the term baked apple berry, but I think I remember where I saw it. I'll need to check.
I believe I read they're gathered in Newfoundland where pie baking contests are held.
I planted some lingonberries last year, but they are still quite small. It may be years before they produce fruit. My local grocery store carries lingonberry preserve imported from Sweden. It's quite good.
a cigarette and cup of coffee. maybe a protein drink afterwards
jeremiah j
01-22-2009, 23:34
Someone said hemp with oatmeal for breakfast. Sounds good to me:sun
Lone Wolf
01-23-2009, 00:09
yeah, rope sure is tasty :rolleyes:
I also like to walk as soon as I get up. I put a little bit of home made trail mix and a couple of bars like these in my pocket and walk. I eat as I walk whenever I get hungry.
I keep a little instant oatmeal, instant grits, or instant cream of wheat for the odd day when I might want something hot, maybe once a week if that.
http://www.theprobar.com/
http://www.clifbar.com/
http://www.quakeroats.com/products/oat-snacks/oatmeal-to-go-bars/brown-sugar-and-cinnamon.aspx
http://www.lunabar.com/
(Not just for women anymore!)
http://www.powerbar.com/
http://www.organicfoodbar.com/
Fig Newtons only got mentioned once. They are great fuel for a hike or bike. Bike racers eat them for quick and steady energy. They are heavy tho compared to oatmeal.
Glad you mentioned these. I always had some of these along. High in calories and taste. A package of 2 runs last me 3-4 days.
Alligator
01-23-2009, 16:22
Glad you mentioned these. I always had some of these along. High in calories and taste. A package of 2 runs last me 3-4 days.I like these too, but I'm cheap and buy the store brand.
hopefulhiker
01-23-2009, 16:50
I mixed up oatmeal with NIDO dehydrated milk, nuts, crasins, or other dehydrated fruit. I AlWAYS
had breakfast and would get up early to fix it. Also I would mix up the chocolate Carnation instant breakfast with a little instant coffee to use up the other cup of hot water. This was especially good after stepping out into the freezing cold from a warm sleeping bag.. This would set me up for a snack/walking lunch and then a big supper.
mlkelley
01-23-2009, 17:47
My favorite thing for breakfast is hot jello (lime flavor). Then a cup of thick coffee and rollie.
SunnyWalker
01-24-2009, 22:13
I buy regular oatmeal. Bag it in a zip lock, enough for 5-10 days of breakfasts. Night before, put some in another ziplock or pastic container with lid, add powerdered milk (I have been known to use only water, you get used to it). In the morning, open and consume. Rinse out bowl and take off hiking. No cooking. I got onto this via my Blaw's heart attack. His Dr wanted him to change his dietary habits and one thing was no eggs and bacon, etc. Oatmeal was it for him. Well his wife (my wife's sister) are all Swedish decent and have ties to the "old country". This is how they do it. Fix it this way in the evening-put oatmeal in bowl, cover with milk, cover and leave til morning. I tried it and man it's great. You get a little "oatey" taste that is good. When my sone and I were riding from TX to Florence we got where we would put the oatmeal in our bowl after we got up, add milk/water and we would let it sit. Then After we kind of got everything packed up we would saunter over and eat it.
I prepackaged dehydrated milk and high-calorie cereals in baggies, then added water and ate as I walked. I also at poptarts with peanut butter from the squeeze container. Another breakfast I had occassionally was a couple snickers. I also like clif bars for breakfast.
The best thing about the milk and cereal thing is that within about 30 minutes of eating it, I would always have to drop a deuce... like clockwork.
I never cooked breakfast.... it slowed me down in the morning. I always got going before other hikers, which is partly why I had so many big mile days.
daddytwosticks
01-25-2009, 13:37
Did you pick up your deuce when it fell or leave it there. After all, you had that empty baggie still with you...didn't you? :) :).
Those Quaker Oats Breakfast to go thingies are pretty good, and they really do give you the equivalent of a complete breakfast. I definitely was good to go for the morning after one of those things. They might get old on a thru hike after a while, though. You'd definitely need to get several different flavors.
gonewalkabout
01-29-2009, 09:17
Don't cook breakfast. For some reason as soon as you start a stove it adds an hour to you departure time.
Lone Wolf
01-29-2009, 09:40
so? what's the rush? where ya goin'?
Berserker
01-30-2009, 12:37
Oatmeal or Mountainhouse Scrambled Eggs with instant grits. Coffee (singles in the tea style bags) or tea to drink. Candy for dessert.
Something quick to start - trailmix or something. Then, after about 30-60 minutes, cold oatmeal and dried fruit. Normally no cooking.
Don't cook breakfast. For some reason as soon as you start a stove it adds an hour to you departure time.True, and maybe a factor for thru hikers planning to do big mileage days, but for section hikers, weekenders, etc., who's in a hurry? The only thing that makes this a "great breakfast debate" is differing styles based on what you're doing. Eat what you like for breakfast and fast start / slow start accordingly.
I don't take a week off from my hectic work to go do a hectic week on the trail! ;)
bobgessner57
02-01-2009, 22:27
Couscous with any or all of the additives suggested for oatmeal. Sarbar's recipe ideas for couscous are very good and a welcome change from the oatmeal routine.
Cooked instant vanilla pudding with rice, raisins, and cinnamon. Eat hot or let set, will keep overnight in the spring if you can keep the raccoons and bears away.
Grape Nuts with raisinis, craisins, dried apples, apricots, some powdered milk, honey, butter, cook or eat cold.
Homemade energy bars made of cereal, peanut butter, dried fruit, etc. Some good recipes somewhere in the food threads.
Grits and jerky, fruit bar and coffee or hot chocolate or both to make mocha.
I like to carry some breakfasts that require cooking for cold days and some grab and go meals for dry camps or times when I want to get moving before eating. Boiling water for a hot drink and to hydrate some quick cooking cereal in a cozy doesn't take any extra time if you use the boil time to pack gear. I often review the map or trail notes while eating. No rush, I like to eat well and be out in the early morning light.
True, and maybe a factor for thru hikers planning to do big mileage days, but for section hikers, weekenders, etc., who's in a hurry? The only thing that makes this a "great breakfast debate" is differing styles based on what you're doing. Eat what you like for breakfast and fast start / slow start accordingly.
I don't take a week off from my hectic work to go do a hectic week on the trail! ;)
Wow. such wisdom. From a "young" guy even. I'm truly impressed.
Weary
Gonewalkabout, if I have decided to cook a breakfast, which is usually determined the night before, and virtually always is an oatmeal concoction, I have everything set to go for the morning - cook pot and stove set up nearby at arm's reach(where animals R not an issue), my food bag stuff sack also at hand, lighter, spoon, windscreen, water, etc. As I'm packing my gear I'm boiling the water. Before all my gear is packed the water is boiled. I throw in my quick cook oatmeal and eat it as I finish my gear check and packing for the current conditions. Rinse my pot last. Hit the trail. If H2O is limited and I still cook breakfast I clean out the pot with sand and wipe with a small hand pack towel. 15 minutes, after arising, AND EATING A COOKED BREAKFAST, I hit the trail. Doesn't have to take an hour. The more times U do it the faster the routine comes to U!
But, like LW says, what's the hurry all the time? Lay in your bag, look at the sunrise bringing life to another day in the mountains and forests, eat your chow, hear the birds, take a moment, and learn to fully appreciate what U R involved in! The miles will always be there!
Hikes in Rain
02-02-2009, 05:51
15 minutes? Darn, that's efficient; I'm impressed! It takes me that long to figure out if it's even worth being awake! Then there's inserting contacts, making coffee, stumbling around, etc. Cook and eat from my sleeping bag? Been trying to do that for years, but my darned bladder won't let me.
SunnyWalker
02-06-2009, 22:58
Well, I might be a hiker or a thru-hiker, but I want to have breakfast and maybe some coffee and get my hiking in too. I can and I know it. So I guess that makes me a camper/hiker not just a hiker??!?!?!??? (I like the camping AND hiking??!?!). One can do and enjoy both. Coffee in the morning IS nice.
sloopjonboswell
02-06-2009, 23:56
good to see the quaker instant cheese grits up there. cold, right in the bag works.
those cheddar cheese grits will really help out lipton sides like alfredo or chicken.
honorable mention- grape nuts with sugar and milk