Are you an allergy sufferer who loves the great outdoors? Backpacking can be a fun and fulfilling activity, but it can be challenging to find allergy-friendly meals that are easy to prepare and pack. Don’t let allergies limit your outdoor adventures!
Here are 35 of the best allergy-friendly backpacking meals to keep you fueled and happy on the trail.
Allergy-Friendly Backpacking Breakfast Meals
- Oatmeal: Start your day with a classic and hearty breakfast. Oatmeal is a great choice for backpacking because it’s easy to prepare and can be customized with your favorite toppings. You can add fresh or dried fruits, nuts, or honey for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Scrambled Eggs: If you have access to a stove, scrambled eggs are a great option for a protein-packed breakfast. You can add cheese, vegetables, or meat for extra flavor.
- Breakfast Burrito: A breakfast burrito is a filling and tasty option that’s easy to customize. You can make it with scrambled eggs, cheese, and vegetables, or add sausage or bacon for extra protein.
Allergy-Friendly Backpacking Lunch Meals
- Tuna Salad: Tuna salad is a quick and easy lunch option that’s high in protein. You can mix it with mayonnaise, mustard, or avocado for added flavor, and serve it with crackers or on a sandwich.
- Hummus and Vegetables: Hummus is a great source of protein and healthy fats. You can pair it with vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers for a refreshing and allergy-friendly lunch.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich: A classic sandwich that’s easy to prepare and pack. Use your favorite allergy-friendly bread and peanut butter or almond butter, and add jelly or fruit for extra flavor.
- Chicken Salad: If you have access to precooked chicken, you can make a tasty and filling chicken salad. Mix the chicken with mayonnaise, mustard, or avocado, and add vegetables or fruits for extra flavor and nutrition.
Allergy-Friendly Backpacking Dinner Meals
- Rice and Beans: A classic and filling dinner option that’s easy to prepare and pack. You can add vegetables, spices, or meat for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Chili: Chili is a hearty and comforting dinner option that’s perfect for chilly nights on the trail. You can make it with ground beef, turkey, or vegetarian meat substitutes, and add vegetables or spices for extra flavor.
- Spaghetti and Meat Sauce: Spaghetti and meat sauce is a filling and satisfying dinner option that’s easy to prepare and pack. Use gluten-free or allergy-friendly pasta and add vegetables or spices for extra flavor.
- Curry: Curry is a flavorful and allergy-friendly dinner option that’s easy to customize. You can make it with chicken, tofu, or vegetables, and add spices or coconut milk for extra flavor.
- Tacos: Tacos are a fun and customizable dinner option that’s easy to prepare and pack. You can make them with ground beef, turkey, or vegetarian meat substitutes, and add vegetables, cheese, or salsa for extra flavor.
- Mashed Potatoes and Gravy: Mashed potatoes and gravy is a classic comfort food that’s easy to prepare and pack. You can add precooked chicken, turkey, or meat substitutes for extra protein.
- Quinoa Bowl: Quinoa bowls are a nutritious and filling dinner option that’s easy to customize. You can make them with quinoa, vegetables, and protein like chicken, tofu, or beans.
- Stir-Fry: Stir-fry is a quick and easy dinner option that’s easy to customize. You can make it with chicken, beef, tofu, or vegetables, and add spices or sauces for extra flavor.
Allergy-Friendly Backpacking Snack Meals
- Trail Mix: Trail mix is a convenient and easy-to-pack snack that’s perfect for hiking and backpacking. You can make your own with your favorite nuts, seeds, and dried fruits, or buy pre-packaged mixes.
- Energy Bars: Energy bars are a quick and easy snack that can provide a boost of energy on the trail. Look for allergy-friendly options that are made with whole ingredients and natural sweeteners.
- Apple Slices with Almond Butter: Apple slices with almond butter is a healthy and delicious snack that’s easy to prepare and pack. You can also use other fruits like bananas or berries.
- Popcorn: Popcorn is a lightweight and easy-to-pack snack that’s perfect for movie nights on the trail. You can add spices or nutritional yeast for extra flavor.
- Roasted Chickpeas: Roasted chickpeas are a high-protein snack that’s easy to make and pack. You can season them with your favorite spices like garlic, paprika, or cumin.
- Beef Jerky: Beef jerky is a high-protein snack that’s easy to pack and can last for a long time. Look for allergy-friendly options that are made with natural ingredients and free of preservatives.
- Rice Cakes with Nut Butter: Rice cakes with nut butter is a crunchy and satisfying snack that’s easy to prepare and pack. You can also add honey or fruit for extra flavor.
- Cheese and Crackers: Cheese and crackers are a classic and easy-to-pack snack that’s perfect for hiking and backpacking. Look for allergy-friendly cheese and crackers options.
Allergy-Friendly Backpacking Dessert Meals
- S’mores: S’mores are a classic and indulgent dessert that’s perfect for camping and backpacking. You can use allergy-friendly graham crackers, marshmallows, and chocolate.
- Fruit Salad: Fruit salad is a healthy and refreshing dessert option that’s easy to prepare and pack. You can use a variety of fruits like berries, melons, and citrus.
- Chocolate Chia Pudding: Chocolate chia pudding is a nutritious and satisfying dessert option that’s easy to make and pack. You can add fruits or nuts for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Banana Bread: Banana bread is a comforting and easy-to-pack dessert that’s perfect for camping and backpacking. Look for allergy-friendly recipes that use gluten-free or nut-free flour.
- Granola and Yogurt: Granola and yogurt is a healthy and filling dessert option that’s easy to prepare and pack. You can add fruits or honey for extra flavor.
- Rice Pudding: Rice pudding is a creamy and comforting dessert option that’s easy to make and pack. You can add spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for extra flavor.
- Apple Crisp: Apple crisp is a warm and comforting dessert option that’s perfect for cool nights on the trail. Look for allergy-friendly recipes that use gluten-free or nut-free flour.
Allergy-Friendly Backpacking Beverage Meals
- Tea: Tea is a comforting and soothing beverage option that’s perfect for relaxing on the trail. You can bring your favorite tea bags and steep them in hot water.
- Coffee: Coffee is a caffeinated and energizing beverage option that’s perfect for early mornings on the trail. You can bring instant coffee or a portable coffee maker.
- Hot Chocolate: Hot chocolate is a comforting and indulgent beverage option that’s perfect for cool nights on the trail. Look for allergy-friendly hot chocolate mixes or make your own with cocoa powder and sweetener.
- Lemonade: Lemonade is a refreshing and hydrating beverage option that’s perfect for hot days on the trail. You can bring powdered lemonade mix or make your own with lemon juice and sweetener.
- Water: Water is the most important beverage option that you should always bring with you on any backpacking trip. Make sure to bring enough water for the duration of your trip, as well as a water filtration system or water purification tablets to ensure that you can access clean water sources along the way.
Related: How Do I Stop Being Scared Of Backpacking Alone?
Final Thoughts
As a backpacker with allergies, finding allergy-friendly backpacking meals can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. With a little bit of planning and preparation, you can enjoy a variety of delicious and nutritious meals on the trail that won’t trigger your allergies.
When planning your meals, consider your specific allergies and dietary restrictions, as well as the length and intensity of your backpacking trip. Don’t forget to pack lightweight and easy-to-carry cooking equipment, as well as a variety of snacks and beverages to keep you fueled and hydrated throughout your journey.
By using this list of 35 best allergy-friendly backpacking meals, you’ll be able to plan your meals and snacks more efficiently, so you can focus on enjoying the beauty and adventure of the great outdoors.
Happy backpacking!