Food

Posted by: AFireInside

Food - 08/04/08 10:19 AM

So I'm taking a cross country backpacking/vagabond trip. I've been thoroughly planning what I was going to pack for food in case grocery stores are few and far in between. I figured I would take hemp seeds and/or rice, dried fruit and/or jelly, peanut and/or hemp butter, and some sort of bread (either whole wheat bread or flour tortillas), and possibly some jerky (just for placebo meat). Can any of you think of any additions or subtractions I can make to my food list? I'm trying to figure out what to do about vegetables and shelf life in a backpack. I guess the only thing I would need vegetables for is an extra fiber boost although the aforementioned items have tons of fiber in them. The above diet covers all levels of nutrition. Thanks for reviewing my plan!

PS-Can't forget GORP for snacking! =D
Posted by: Pika

Re: Food - 08/04/08 12:11 PM

Speaking for myself, if I had to do a long cross-country trip on a menu as limited as the one you listed, I would probably homestead a Burger King after a week. Seriously, unless you were born without taste buds, your menu will get boring in a week and gag-level in two weeks. Check out Sarbar's site on freezer bag cooking for more ideas on menus and cooking.

BTW, vegetables and fruit supply a lot more to your diet than just fiber. Get a copy of one of Andrew Weil's more recent books to learn how fruits and vegetables supply a lot of important nutrients and phytochemicals.
Posted by: AFireInside

Re: Food - 08/04/08 12:40 PM

I was born without taste buds to be honest. Not to say I won't sneak in a burger every once and a while or some hot pasta, but I honestly love eating raw rice and hemp seeds. =D I know fruits and vegetables add more than just fiber. I figured vegetables would hold for a while just raw. Take some peppers, onions, and garlic, tomatoes. Thanks for your information! I think I need to buy another bear can. =D
Posted by: CamperMom

Re: Food - 08/04/08 04:26 PM

Wow!

I have no familiarity with hemp as a food, so your anticipated diet looks to me like a recipe for disaster. I also have a hard time with the idea of eating rice raw. Mankind cooks a lot of foods so that they can be digested, not just to make them taste good or better.

That said: Most grocery stores will have instant forms of rice, potatoes, bulgur, couscous, etc. And, quick-cooking oats, ramen, and some other foods can be eaten after soaking, so, do not absolutely require cooking. Check both the produce and spice aisles for sun-dried tomatoes, parsley, and sometimes, dehydrated mixed soup vegetables or green peppers. See if you can find dehdrated bean mixes/soups, liike from Fantastic Foods. All of these things are light and will keep for a long time in your pack. They can add some flavor, texture and variety to your diet. Peanut butter on a tortilla will give you energy and meet some nutritional needs, but it will get old.

Fresh fruits and veggies keep a few days, if uncut and undamaged, but, they feel heavy, really fast.

CamperMom
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Food - 08/06/08 07:08 PM

Vegetables and fruits=carry dried! Shelf life of 1-2 years that way <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: WildChild

Re: Food - 08/06/08 07:49 PM

Quote:
Vegetables and fruits=carry dried! Shelf life of 1-2 years that way <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


keep in mind that when you store home-dehydrated fruit and veggies you will start to lose flavor after about 8 months (3 months for sweet potatoes)
Posted by: sarbar

Re: Food - 08/07/08 08:43 AM

Quote:
Quote:
Vegetables and fruits=carry dried! Shelf life of 1-2 years that way <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />


keep in mind that when you store home-dehydrated fruit and veggies you will start to lose flavor after about 8 months (3 months for sweet potatoes)


On that.....if one buys commercial dried vegetables from www.harmonyhousefoods.com they have the shelf life I list above, including their sweet potatoes. The only vegetable/fruit I worry about are sun dried tomatoes done to be soft and moist. Be careful with those - once opened they don't last long. Traditional dried hard tomatoes last as long as other veggies.
Posted by: chaz

Re: Food - 08/07/08 12:03 PM

Hemp seeds would be great it you wanted to grow material for rope, but it might take a few months. Also, don't get caught. The agents might not believe you are growing it for rope. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />
Posted by: WildChild

Re: Food - 08/07/08 06:15 PM

Quote:
Hemp seeds would be great it you wanted to grow material for rope, but it might take a few months. Also, don't get caught. The agents might not believe you are growing it for rope. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />


hemp seeds are delicious when they are roasted (these are not to be confused with cannabis seeds)

also you can buy great granolas and cereals that have hemp in them... if I remember correctly the brand name is Nature's Path