View Full Version : What's in a Foodie's UL trail food bag?
For buying on the fly prepackaged, high or higher cals/oz ratios than more commonly found, easily repackaged/amended on the fly, versatile, flavorful, not boring, AND with short ingredients lists or with ingredients I can understand without having a degree in nutrition here are some options.
Trader Joe's Roasted Coconut Chips - 160 cals /oz, about $2 for a 2 oz package
Try adding a little tang occasionally by mixing with orange or pomegranate infused dried cranberries. Or, try Bare, Danielle, or Dang brands that come in a Carmel and Sea Salt version. Can be mixed into a trail mix with just about anything.
http://www.traderjoes.com
http://www.baresnacks.com/products#crunchy-coconut-chips - several other dried foods including dried apples
http://daniellechips.com - lots of other rather unique chips
http://dangfoods.com/shop.php
Trader Joes Flattened Banana -about 125 cals/oz, about $1 for a 4.4 oz package. YES, these meet the above criteria, consider the price, volume, delicious taste, convenience, alternative to carrying a fresh banana, and the ingredient list - JUST BANANAS. Great for an on the fly snack or adding to other foods like a grain/oatmeal b-fast. Make sure you have your toothbrush ready after eating.
I Heart Keenwah Snacks - 130 cals/oz, about $2-3 for 4 oz package, these are snacks largely made from Quinoa. Try with a nut butter, dried fruit, or cheese.
http://www.iheartkeenwah.com/snacks/
EARTH BALANCE Coconut and Peanut Butter Spread - about 170 cals/oz, about $1-1.80 for 1.15 oz squeeze packet, luv this stuff for it's prepackaged convenience when I don't make my own version ahead of time and place into a squeeze tube, non-GMO/Gluten Free/Trans fat Free/Vegan, Combining these two ingredients into one - a trans fat Free/low sugar PB with coconut products is one of my favorite high cal/oz, low volume, tasty UL food tips/treats.
http://earthbalancenatural.com/product/creamy-coconut-peanut-spread-squeeze-pack/
WILD SQUIRREL/WILD FRIENDS(found under both names) Vanilla Espresso Almond Butter - about 170 cals/oz, about $1.50/1.15 oz squeeze packet. This is what you get when two savvy intrepid Foodie college students get the funding(on SharkTank) to introduce to the public a darn tasty backpacker friendly product. Absolutely delish! - almond butter, caffeine, dash of salt and vanilla all in one squeezable convenient packet. I luv this stuff. Check out there other varieties too.
https://www.wildfriendsfoods.com/single-serve
Thank you, for the great links.
I saw this product line at Snow Peak's website: Trek'N Eat.
http://trekneat.com/deen/trekn-eat-products/
BTW, I sent Trader Joes an email, begging for a Trader Joes in Kalispell, MT or near there. Lots of their kind of customer reside there. I would drive that far for Trader Joes.
I used to get to Trader Joes, when I went out to the West Coast.
Larabar Renola - 155-170 cals oz(ratio depends on which variety), about $1-1.60 for about a 1.18 oz package(depending on variety, Cocoa Coconut variety is my favorite), Delish. Cinnamon Nut version is tasty snack too.
http://www.larabar.com/products/renola
http://www.larabar.com/products/renola-cocoa-coconut
Newman's Own or Justin's Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups - about 150 cals/oz, $1.25-2.00 for 1.25 - 1.4 oz package, get your sweet tooth trail fix with eating these in little bites.
http://www.newmansownorganics.com/food_peanut.html#
http://justins.com/item/dark-chocolate-peanut-butter-cup-single/
+1 on the Justins, good stuff all of it!
NEXT Organic DARK Chocolate Covered Nuts - 160-175 cals/oz, ranges in price(I buy the 4 oz Chocolate Covered Brazil/Walnuts at a local conventional grocery store in NJ -Super Shop Rite- in the Gluten Free/Diet aisle for about $4), Compare carefully. Be mindful of the premium ingredients, more balanced nutrition, and overall larger environmentally consciousness awareness in this chocolate covered nut brand compared to other non-organic companies ingredients, processes, and...... it's a treat reserved for colder weather hikes. One might also try the other dark chocolate covered products such as the chocolate covered crystalized ginger. It's certainly not boring.
http://www.nextchocolates.com/products/natural-dark-chocolate-brazil-nuts/#.VG5UYEt7c8M
colorado_rob
11-20-2014, 17:27
Nuthin' that fancy in my food bag, but lots of Planter's peanuts/cashews mixed, M&M peanut candy, and nice, salty potato chips (yeah, they get crunched up badly on the trail, but eat just fine!). Cheap, lots and lots of cal/oz. Oh, and snickers bars, of course.
rocketsocks
11-20-2014, 18:16
I like trader joes dried wasabi peas in my GORP, really gives it some "oh yeah"
garlic08
11-20-2014, 18:34
Fresh garlic.
Fresh garlic.
Well that's a surprise coming from you. :) I almost always have a clove of garlic too. Fresh turmeric and ginger, fresh ginseng is a treat(energy anyone!), green onions or small Vidalia, some kind of fresh greens(kale, collards, swiss chard, mustard, broccoli(some places sell all these per lb), fresh trail grown sprouts(it's EASY to sprout seed on trail, super nutritious too!), peppers(cayenne, serrano, jalapeņo, baby yellow/red/orange/green), some kind of fat in the form of oil when it's warm outside(EVOO, Coconut), seed butter(tahini, hemp)
Just Bill
11-20-2014, 19:22
While you're at TJ's-
Try their sesame sticks- don't have any here but 160/oz? They are really good with Cashews.
Thanks to the kiddies- I have rediscovered Gold Fish- they come in a whole wheat variety now that is 130/oz and hold up pretty well on the trail. Sesame sticks, cashews and fishies in equal parts is becoming a fast favorite at the old Just House.
Aldi (owned by same company)-
Has a good mixed berry dried fruit that is cheap (blueberries, cherries and cranberry)- in the same box is often cherries only. Added sugar though in each.
The Dark Chocolate there is good too 70% cacao. They have other flavors too.
They occasionally have even cheaper nuts and dried fruit than TJ's, or bulk packs that work out cheaper.
They also have some other artisan cheeses and salami's popping up for the holidays, as well as more and more organic foods added to their line.
I also get Parm and Asiago wedges there too- not Italian deli quality- but good for the price. I love asiago with dark chocolate and fresh berries.
Still can't say enough about Held's Jerky! https://heldsmarket.com/
I like their Landjaegers too (hard summer sausage sticks) you can dice them up and fry them in their own grease just before making soup or grains- just leave them in or toast the grains a bit with the meat before adding water- very good with any spicy rice dish.
Course you'd need to reside somewhere long enough to order it. ;)
I also just finally realized- they are 1/4 mile off the IAT... Slinger, WI
I'd love to pack Garlic, even if he's being fresh.
Please provide cal/oz ratios and ingredients list or links to specific products(brand, etc) when possible.
Tuckahoe
11-20-2014, 20:43
I like trader joes dried wasabi peas in my GORP, really gives it some "oh yeah"
I love wasabi Virginia peanuts, its like crack! -- http://www.thepeanutshop.com/product/wasabi-peanuts-tin/seasoned-nuts
JB, what do you have a crystal ball? Family just stopped by after a stop at ALDI's dropping off some organic Foodie items they know I usually opt for. They just told me what you did. THX for the info.
Trader Joe's Natural Mint Cocoa is offered, seasonally, around this time of the year. I add a little in the cup to regular good cocoa.
I don't live nearby a Trader Joe's store, so I "ration" the Trader Joe's Natural Mint Cocoa.
Trader Joe's has almonds without the skin, in rosemary and salt. I am unable to "ration" the rosemary salted no-skin almonds.
Their bags of nuts, dried fruit, and, "gorp" ingredients is more than I have seen in any store. The prices are not over much, either.
rocketsocks
11-20-2014, 22:34
I love wasabi Virginia peanuts, its like crack! -- http://www.thepeanutshop.com/product/wasabi-peanuts-tin/seasoned-nuts
Dat's a nice! Dogwoods crystalin ginger chocolate covered sounded pretty darn dangus too.
rocketsocks
11-20-2014, 22:37
Trader Joe's Natural Mint Cocoa is offered, seasonally, around this time of the year. I add a little in the cup to regular good cocoa.
I don't live nearby a Trader Joe's store, so I "ration" the Trader Joe's Natural Mint Cocoa.
Trader Joe's has almonds without the skin, in rosemary and salt. I am unable to "ration" the rosemary salted no-skin almonds.
Their bags of nuts, dried fruit, and, "gorp" ingredients is more than I have seen in any store. The prices are not over much, either....and their toasted pumpkin seeds are just more than the law should allow. Addicting.
Trader Joes Thai Lime&Chili, Sesame Honey, and Coconut Cashews - 155-170 cals/oz, about $7-8/1 lb bag, not your typical trail mix or GORP or cashews, plenty of flavor and variety, can be sprinkled into Asian/Indian inspired trail dinners. Too often when promoting nuts and seeds for the trail we have these preconceived notions of what they should be.
Saffron Road Crunchy Chickpeas - 110-120 cal/oz, about $3 for a 6 oz package, good w/ cheese or just by themselves as something different exploding with flavor. several varieties
http://www.saffronroadfood.com/crunchy-chickpeas/
These are creative outside of the box non boring tasty alternatives, IMHO, a healthier alternative than some all too common trail foods. Many(all?) of these items are dense in volume and overall nutrition not just cals/oz. Do keep an open mind here too. These costs can often be lessened by borrowing the recipes and making them yourselves, or something similar, or buying in larger portions as many are accustomed to already when they shop at big box food warehouses. I'm also not saying these are all the things in my food bag or what I always have. Some of the items are treats sprinkled in at resupply pts. sparingly. What I'm attempting to get away from is the notion that having an UL philosophy is all about gear too. Please do keep in mind my OP criteria as well. And, as always, with all our unique preferences/situations, each of us should decide upon a trail food plan that's individually appropriate. I sincerely hope this leads to some inspiring food ideas.
Thanks to everyone for sharing your ideas.
Farr Away
11-21-2014, 18:51
Fresh garlic.
I make a sweet pickled garlic that's pretty addictive. It's easy to make, just a bit time consuming.
Directions:
Peel as many garlic cloves as you have the patience for. I usually do 2 lbs.
Put the cloves in a glass jar (or two) and cover with apple cider vinegar - an inch above the garlic.
Set the jar on the kitchen windowsill for a month.
Shake when you think about it - once a day or so.
After a month, pour the vinegar into a glass measuring cup. Put half the vinegar in a pot on the stove; add an equal amount of honey. Heat very gently just until the honey melts, and pour over the garlic. The vinegar you're not using is great in salad dressings, etc.
Let sit on the windowsill another month; shaking when you think about it.
At the end of the month, put the jar in the refrigerator - it's ready to eat.
You can eat the cloves straight out of the jar (if you really like garlic).
They're also great slivered on a salad, and the honey vinegar dresses the salad nicely too.
If you put the cloves without the liquid in a double baggie, they keep at least a couple of days in a pack.
-FA
I just discovered these a month or so ago. They are delicious, but expensive at the Earth Origins shop and even on Amazon. Discovered they have their own 'subscription' membership from their website, with fee shipping, no commitment and far cheaper than anywhere else. I think they meet the UL requirement AND the Foodie one :)
The Hickory Smoked (yum!) comes in at 1.6 oz, 230 calories (143 cal/oz) @ 1.39 per bar with the subscription price and a nice carb/fat/protein ratio
http://www.kindsnacks.com/store/types/strong-kind/hickory-smoked-24-bars.html
The Thai Sweet Chili is also delicious, but! a little strong if you're hiking and don't have quick access to water :)
http://www.kindsnacks.com/store/types/strong-kind/thai-sweet-chili-24-bars.html
I've been thinking of adding these to quinoa, dehydrated fruit, coconut oil/ghee in warm water early as I start from camp for a flavor addition. Haven't tried it yet to see if the flavor stays and imparts to the quinoa though. Will let you know when I do.
I've been wanting to try those Kind Bars. Thx for sharing She.
Yeah, I like those rosemary and salt almonds from TJ's too Connie- something different tasting when noshing almonds. Have you ever tried Marcona almonds from Spain? I've splurged a couple of times for small amounts of these from TJ's. Delish.
It's really about time some folks elicit greater imagination when thinking of trail mixes or GORP. Time to move on to considering a wider range of choices than good old raisins and peanuts that can be so boring.
It would be interesting to compile a list of Trader Joes locations within reasonable distance of the trail. I shop almost exclusively at TJ and always compare the price, quality and selection of nuts and other trail friendly foods when I'm in a small town market.
squeezebox
12-27-2014, 19:31
Wouldn't it be great if Trader Joe's would do on-line buying and ship it general delivery.
Wouldn't it be great if Trader Joe's would do on-line buying and ship it general delivery.
I don't think Gen Del will be available, but many of TJ's items are now available at Amazon, both through Prime and not, more than 2,000 items last check. You may already know this though.
I've not had a TJ's near me since I moved from Atlanta several years back, but we're getting one here soon (might be built by now, not sure). I still have some of their reusable store bags...
Trader Joe's Natural Mint Cocoa seasonally available? Amazon?
Trader Joe's Natural Mint Cocoa seasonally available? Amazon?
I see a Peppermint Hot Chocolate on there, Organic Hot Cocoa in packets, along with something called "Sipping Chocolate Inspire by European Tradition Decadent Chocolate Elixir" I think I just drooled on my keyboard (shuts Amazon window hurriedly)
I think I will "go for" peppermint and sipping chocolate. I have Natural Mint Cocoa and Sipping Chocolate. There is nothing else like it for texture. I have been putting CoffeeMate Peppermint Mocha in the Natural Mint Cocoa, in fact, all added to nearing empty coffee mug Nescafe Classico.
I love this stuff. I miss Trader Joe's so much, I suggested a store location, twice, to be located reasonably nearby.
Thank you, thank you, for the mention.
I have requested mail order. I never thought to look at Amazon.
You're welcome Connie. I'm glad it was 80 degrees here yesterday so some of that 'Sipping Chocolate' didn't end up in my cart by a finger-twitch, lol! Maybe for my winter trip coming up when it will go below freezing possibly? Yeah, that sounds like a good excuse!! :D
-23 F today.
Anyone hiking, doing lunch?
I am having hot cocoa, by my fake fireplace.
Maybe I will vacuum-pak mini marshmallows, for backpacking fun.
RainbowDash
12-30-2014, 01:13
I'm tempted to see about shipping myself some Foie Gras from Hudson Vally Farms while near New York, along with a cheap American truffle, some really good cheese and a nice crusty bread . Hmmmm duck....
Has anyone mentioned those Justin's peanut butter snack packs? Perfect for a single serving and you don't have to bring a whole jar haha. I have seen them for 50 cents at supermarkets
http://www.rei.com/product/771766/justins-all-natural-nut-butter-blend-115-oz/
Has anyone mentioned those Justin's peanut butter snack packs? Perfect for a single serving and you don't have to bring a whole jar haha. I have seen them for 50 cents at supermarkets
http://www.rei.com/product/771766/justins-all-natural-nut-butter-blend-115-oz/
I like the 'wild friends' brand. It's sweet, protein, fats and espresso all in one package :D They have others too, but the Vanilla Espresso Almond butter takes nutella substances to a whole 'nother level, lol!
http://www.amazon.com/Friends-All-Natural-Butters-3-Flavor-Variety/dp/B00JH34GTW/ref=sr_1_7?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1420247775&sr=1-7&keywords=wild+friends
I don't think I can find them for 50 cents though; if I did, I'd buy all that they had!
Odd Man Out
01-03-2015, 01:01
How about a big slab of Parmesan Cheese (the real stuff from Parma, the the fake stuff from WI).
Cliff bars, snickers, knorrs, pop tarts gorp, day after day after day yum!!!!!!!!!!
Has anyone mentioned those Justin's peanut butter snack packs? Perfect for a single serving and you don't have to bring a whole jar haha. I have seen them for 50 cents at supermarkets
http://www.rei.com/product/771766/justins-all-natural-nut-butter-blend-115-oz/
I already mentioned the 1.4 oz packs with two peanut butter cups in the #3 post. Two peanut butter cups in these packs disappear so quickly that they are really a single serving in themselves so are my choice. They are a better overall price per ounce than the single serving .5 oz peanut butter cups in the 10 and 30 in a bag ones you're talking about. The 1.4 oz size is what I see most often and affords folks the chance to minimally invest to test them out before committing to the higher priced larger bags. If you were lucky enough to trick or treat at my house this Halloween this is what you would have received as my treat to you. Here are the correct links to the product you're mentioning.
http://www.amazon.com/Justins-Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-Ounce/dp/B00HMUUKBU#
http://www.amazon.com/Justins-Chocolate-Peanut-Butter-30x-5oz/dp/B00GOHRAY2/ref=pd_sim_gro_4?ie=UTF8&refRID=1PK3EWWZHCVMQQMPEXAM
I like the 'wild friends' brand. It's sweet, protein, fats and espresso all in one package :D They have others too, but the Vanilla Espresso Almond butter takes nutella substances to a whole 'nother level, lol!
http://www.amazon.com/Friends-All-Natural-Butters-3-Flavor-Variety/dp/B00JH34GTW/ref=sr_1_7?s=grocery&ie=UTF8&qid=1420247775&sr=1-7&keywords=wild+friends
I don't think I can find them for 50 cents though; if I did, I'd buy all that they had!
Again, I mentioned these in my first post. Great combination of ingredients for backpacking IMO too. If you find these for 50 cts let me know. I've never seen them at that price retail even with some of the discounts I sometimes can get to make them closer to wholesale.
This wasn't specifically posted in the UL Forum but I did include UL intentionally in the thread title so, again, please provide cal/oz ratios and ingredients list or links to specific products(brand, etc) when possible. Thnx. :)