Hitting the trail this summer? Then, you’ll be getting plenty of exercise to give your muscles a good workout, enjoying the beauty that nature surrounds you in! But with that good workout comes a heavy appetite. 

You have healthy, tasty options to consider, but you don’t want to carry more than you have to or worry about having to lug some sort of bulky, cooling contraption. 

Therefore, there are some specific snacks you’ll want to pack for your trek.

Benefits of Hiking

What makes summertime hiking a great activity for the family is its wonderful bonding time. Everyone gets to unplug from social media and their electronic devices and breathe in the fresh air, look around at nature’s bounty and have fun conversations and healthy recreation.

Another plus that psychologists add is that kids feel a sense of accomplishment as they trek up a trail and find their best way of handling the terrain and being with their family.

Children feel a dose of self-confidence, or “I did it!”

Add a few nourishing snacks, and it’s a win-win for the day.

1. Granola

This is the classic hiking snack that folks have enjoyed for decades. Granola or trail mix is something you can buy or make yourself. It’s sweet, crunchy, and filling, and you can enjoy it while you’re hiking.

Granola comes in all types of ingredient combinations. Some favorites include whole-grain old-fashioned oats, pecans, sunflower seeds, unrefined coconut oil, honey, dried cranberries, and chocolate chips.

2. Fruits and Veggies

Another healthy hiking snack should include some fruits and/or veggies, but if you pack fresh produce, chances are it will get squished in your backpack and can make a bit of a mess.

Because of this, experienced hikers highly recommend taking freeze dried snacks on the trail such as cherries, bananas, pineapple, beet chips, and sweet potato chips. The best ones to look for have no preservatives or additives.

These healthy options offer lots of delightful textures and will boost your energy so that you can keep moving like a boss up the trail.

3. Heat-Friendly Sandwiches

Most people on the planet enjoy eating a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, especially kids of all ages. This is a great snack that can handle the heat, and you can get creative trying almond butter and hazelnut chocolate spread as another yummy sandwich.

Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches can be made fast and ready to pack for your hike. Again, they’re a filling snack with protein and healthy fats, which are excellent for growing kids.

4. Some Cheeses

These are popular snacks that are convenient to store in your backpack, and cheese sticks are fine to eat during a summertime hike because it would take a long time for them to spoil.

Cheddar cheese is another delicious one because it’s a hard cheese and will keep fresh throughout your trip. It’s yummy on its own, but you can eat the cheese with apple slices or crackers. It will deliver satisfying energy as you negotiate the terrain.

5. Jerky

For a nice balance of fat, proteins, and carbohydrates, tote along some jerky. These thin strips of dried meat or fish are lightweight and offer that ultra chewiness that many folks crave.

In addition, the high amount of dehydrating sodium that is found in jerky provides that essential energy boost to keep the body going.

6. Pork Rinds

This isn’t a typo. Fried pork rinds are actually another fantastic snack to hit the trails with. The rinds offer an awesome crunch and give hikers a good amount of sodium, fat, and protein.

They’re another lightweight snack that is inexpensive and fun to eat and come in a variety of delicious flavors.

Conclusion

The beauty of hiking is its recreational fun; it’s a great activity solo or for the entire family and a great way to appreciate nature. The thing is, whether you’re hopping onto an easy trail for a short hike or going the distance for a longer hike, hunger will strike. 

Therefore, you should be prepared with the most portable, nutritious, and yummiest snacks possible. Happy trails, everyone!