gluten-free Backpacking Food?

[eleep]

Ummmm,

We're about to head out on a hike next weekend and I just looked into the box of Enertia trail foods dehydrated stuff we got for Christmas (two sampler boxes) and realized that I probably cannot eat any of it.

So, before I go do some yoga and calm myself down over this one, I thought I'd post to see if there are any other gluten-free backpackers out there with ideas for trail meals.

Heh.

Erica

[jenvan]

Hmm, few of the top of my head-- beef jerky (gluten free mall has 2 kinds that are good); nuts and nut snacks (like mrs may's on gluten-free mall); Alpsnack or other energy type bars...

[zip2play]

Planters has a "trail mix" that is a nut mixture with M&M's, it is my new obsession! You can buy a really LARGE bag of Kirklands at Costco for only $9.00!

Monica

[lonewolf]

I can't remember the brand name, but our local health food store has dehydrated lentil soup and black bean soup that we take bike camping with us. You can also buy some cheap boxes of macaroni and cheese, TOSS the macaroni and substitute gluten-free elbow macaroni and still use the cheese packet, carefully looking to make sure it's gluten-free. I use the dried potatoes out of a box of scalloped potatoes along with a small can of chicken or turkey (I know, that's kind of heavy) to make a stew also. gluten-free pancake mix works too, just try it at home to make sure you can get the hang of making them without eggs - you'll need to add some dry egg-replacer and some ground flax meal, but I get it to work. Packaged gluten-free rice mixes are nice too - Lundberg has some.

Good luck!

[eleep]

Thanks! This is very helpful -- I had the trail mix thing covered, but we also go on long trips and pack weight/whole meals/nutrition are a big issue. I guess that the extra dehydrated meals will all have to be consumed by my boyfriend when he hikes the Benton MacKaye trail this summer for six weeks.

This is the first thing that's made me start to cry so far -- I can give up beer and good bread, but the thought of having to cut back on backpacking is something I don't think I could stand. Amazing how a health issue really clarifies your priorities for you!

[tarnalberry]

beef jerkey (homemade, some Oberto or Tillamook flavors)

dried fruit

nuts

quick cooking hot cereal like quinoa flakes or rice bran (if you'll have access to boiling water)

energy bars (Ruth's hemp bars, Clif nectar bars, Lara Bars, etc.)

tuna

Just Veggies :-)

[mamaw]

boomi bars ---my favorite

[ryebaby0]

My hikers re-pack Mrs. Leeper's chicken alfredo into ziplocs, and use a JetBoil to cook it up again. Good stuff, not too heavy (okay, the can of chicken is a pain there) and fairly nutrient dense. You can use dried milk or just water. They also do Bob's Red Mill Really Good gluten-free Breakfast Stuff (okay, so the name might not be quite right) and use potato flakes in meals to add density. Cheese is still gluten-free, so are peanuts, peanut butters, beans.... There's a quinoa instant breakfast out there in little packets, but IMHO it tastes awful.....If you call EMS or REI (headquarters, not locals), they can sometimes give you suggestions (but it depends on who you get on the phone)about the commercial mixes.

We keep a list of things that have been successful, so we don't re-invent the wheel for every hike.

good luck, and get out more!

joanna

[Dada2hapas]

Bumping the thread, since it's been a while. I'm looking for convenient freeze dried meals that are gluten free. In the past (pre-celiac), I always used Mountain House for pack trips. Open Original Shared Link I'd like to continue packing light, but need gluten free.

I'm willing to make my own, if I can find recipes to substitute for freeze dried meals. I don't have a lyophilizer, but I'm desperate enough to make one, so I can still pack light.

Thanks!

[daphniela]

Ummmm,

We're about to head out on a hike next weekend and I just looked into the box of Enertia trail foods dehydrated stuff we got for Christmas (two sampler boxes) and realized that I probably cannot eat any of it.

So, before I go do some yoga and calm myself down over this one, I thought I'd post to see if there are any other gluten-free backpackers out there with ideas for trail meals.

Heh.

Erica

Someone had posted recently about a company that makes emergency food kits. I dont remember the name, but it was freeze dried foods and they offered a gluten free line.

[kbdy]

Open Original Shared Link has a lot of boxed food, think like lunchables, that might work for you??

[tarnalberry]

Bumping the thread, since it's been a while. I'm looking for convenient freeze dried meals that are gluten free. In the past (pre-celiac), I always used Mountain House for pack trips. Open Original Shared Link I'd like to continue packing light, but need gluten free.

I'm willing to make my own, if I can find recipes to substitute for freeze dried meals. I don't have a lyophilizer, but I'm desperate enough to make one, so I can still pack light.

Thanks!

it's not worth trying to do in-house freeze drying, when dehydrating is easier, and works just as well.

take almost any type of meal you want - I used chili quite often - and stick it in a dehydrator and dry it out. Take 'em with you in a freezerbag, then you just need to add water directly to the freezerbag, let it "cook" for 5-10 min (wrapped in a fleece or some kind of insulation is best), and boom - dinner's done, and cleanup is nothing more than licking clean your spoon/spork, and sealing the bag up.

I know that Open Original Shared Link has a whole bunch of other recipes too. many of them need to be converted to gluten-free, but that's pretty simple.

and, making your own is a WHOLE lot cheaper than buying premade ones, not to mention tastier, healthier (WAY less salt - even 20 miles a day, you don't need 3200mg of salt in one meal!), and did I mention a whole lot cheaper.

[TiffLuvsBread]

Definitely almonds

Have you ever tried the Think Thin bars? Open Original Shared Link

They have around 20 grams of protein and are gluten free. They were created by a former model who was working long hours, traveling around the world, always needing a quick snack to get her through to the next job, and created this line out of the fact that it was hard to find.

They are really pretty yummy and I consider them pretty hardy for backpacking, being such a good source of protein.

Obviously fruit is always safe (I like big Fuji apples) and all of this can pack pretty lightly. You could probably pack an entire box of Think Thin bars and it would be a pound.

I find them at Trader Joe's and most supermarkets that have a protein bar section.

Have fun

[lpellegr]

Try this site. I have found these in a few specialty stores.

Open Original Shared Link

[miles2go]

Many good suggestions have been given, although it also depends entirely on how you hike. Do you carry a stove, need to carry in your own water, etc? I have and enjoy Lipsmackin' Backpackin' by Tim and Christine Connors and also its vegetarian counterpart because it gives you a basic template for what most hikers are carrying and you can substitute fairly easily to fit specific needs.

There are other books out there and if you have a dehydrator, you can indeed do everything but the kitchen sink. It may take a few seasons to get the kinks out, but never give up the dream!

Margaret

[Googles]

I know what you mean about being upset by the possibility of not being able to backpack. It was one of the first things I thought about not being able to do. If you have a stove and don't have to carry your water you can always take rice and beans (dehydrated) for food. It is a good source of protein and not too heavy. Humus and cheese for lunches with soft corn shells. I would suggest dried fruit and nuts for snacks. Good luck.

[blueyz25]

I go backpacking almost every weekend and I have a hard time finding things to eat too. However, REI has a brand that is great. MaryJanesFarm is all organic foods, and the majority of them are gluten free. They are packaged in a facility that processes wheat, but I have not had any problems. Most of them are 1 and a half servings, but I split them up and make 2 or even 3 meals out of each package. The best one that I have had is the Bare Burrito. This makes 2 good sized servings. My only suggestion is to add a little spice (if you like spicier foods).

They also sell Honey Stinger bars and gels, and Nectar Cacao brand bars. They are delicious and are made in wheat and gluten free facilities.

One last suggestion for you is to buy a bag of Gluten free oats (oatmeal) from Whole Foods or wherever you get them from, and separate it into little bags. The oats take about 10-15 minutes to cook, but it is filling and you can put in nuts or dried fruit to spice it up.

I hope this helps.

[Robinette]

Ummmm,

We're about to head out on a hike next weekend and I just looked into the box of Enertia trail foods dehydrated stuff we got for Christmas (two sampler boxes) and realized that I probably cannot eat any of it.

So, before I go do some yoga and calm myself down over this one, I thought I'd post to see if there are any other gluten-free backpackers out there with ideas for trail meals.

Heh.

Erica

[Robinette]

Hi,

Im very new at this gluten-free stuff myself, just diagnosed 2 mos. ago and I know what you mean about starting to cry about what to eat on a backpaking trip. We are going Kayaking for a week at the end of Aug. and Im getting a little frantic trying to think of nutritious, filling meals for dinner. Ive got breakfast and lunch covered I think: Protien shakes and bars( Im also dairy free which makes it a little harder) Im going to bake hard rolls and take peanut butter & jerky etc but keep thinking there must be some thai noodle dishes I could make out there, maybe w/canned shrimp or chicken.

I am definatly going to try the idea of dehydrating my own chili though. Good luck and happy hiking.

[Robinette]

Hi,

Im very new at this gluten-free stuff myself, just diagnosed 2 mos. ago and I know what you mean about starting to cry about what to eat on a backpaking trip. We are going Kayaking for a week at the end of Aug. and Im getting a little frantic trying to think of nutritious, filling meals for dinner. Ive got breakfast and lunch covered I think: Protien shakes and bars( Im also dairy free which makes it a little harder) Im going to bake hard rolls and take peanut butter & jerky etc but keep thinking there must be some thai noodle dishes I could make out there, maybe w/canned shrimp or chicken.

I am definatly going to try the idea of dehydrating my own chili though. Good luck and happy hiking.

[tarnalberry]

It's totally worth it to get a dehydrator and make your own food. It's hike-a-thon month, so I'm backpacking every weekend. This weekend, it was eggs and potatoes or a mix of quinoa flakes/cream of rice/flax meal/chia seeds/brown sugar/cinnamon for breakfast, various bars (stinger, raw foods, lara, clif nectar, sesame seed, etc)/dried fruit/salmon jerky for lunch, and dehydrated chili/chicken soup/and a turkey&veggie&rice mix. All home made, and all cheaper than buying premade food. (Not to mention lighter. )