Vegan Trail Food – The Trek

Simple vegan food on the go

One of the questions I get asked most frequently is what I eat while hiking. People often assume that vegan trail food must be complicated, expensive, or involve carrying a lot of specialized products. The reality is much simpler.

When you carry everything on your back, food should be light, high in calories, easy to prepare, and readily available. After years of backpacking and multi-day hikes, I’ve learned that simple often works best.

Breakfast

Most mornings on the trail start with protein overnight oats.

I have been using Linwoods Protein Overnight Oats that I brought from the UK. They’re quick, filling, and provide a good balance of carbs and protein to start your day. The best part is that they require virtually no effort in the morning. I simply prepare them the night before and breakfast is ready to eat as soon as I wake up.

When you’re packing up camp and eager to get going, comfort is important.

Lunch

Lunch is usually something quick that can be eaten during a short break rather than a long stop.

My favorite options are rice cakes or lentil cakes topped with peanut butter. Instead of carrying a heavy jar, I brought powdered peanut butter from MyProtein. It weighs much less and takes up less space, which makes a real difference when every gram counts.

On top of that, I usually grab a muesli bar or energy bar, like a LoveRaw bar or any similar vegan option I can find.

It’s simple, portable, and provides enough power to keep you moving throughout the afternoon.

Dinner

Packet noodles are always a reliable option. They are cheap, easy to find, and only require boiling water.

I’ve also been eating a lot of couscous. I brought back some already seasoned Ainsley Harriott couscous from the UK, which simply needs hot water and three minutes to cook. It’s hard to beat for comfort.

Every time we pass through cities in France, I also buy vegan ready meals. They provide a welcome change from the usual staples and help add some variety to my diet.

Appetizers

Snacks are constant on a hike.

Instead of limiting myself to three large meals, I tend to graze throughout the day to keep my energy levels up.

Current favorites include:

– Mixed nuts

– nuts

– Dehydrated fruit

– Popcorn

– Coconut flakes

These are all lightweight, pack well, and provide a good mix of carbs, fats, and nutrients.

City Day Delights

Days in the city are an opportunity to enjoy fresh foods and stock up on nutrients that may be harder to come by while camping.

For breakfast, I enjoyed a fresh fruit salad with vegan yogurt. After several days of eating on the trail, fresh fruit always tastes amazing.

Lunch is usually a simple combination of hummus, fresh baguette, and more fruit. France makes bread exceptionally well, so it would be rude not to take advantage of it.

For dinner I cook tofu with homemade satay sauce. The sauce is surprisingly simple: powdered peanut butter mixed with coconut milk and a little salt. Served alongside a fresh salad, it seems like a proper meal rather than mountain food.

Keeping it simple

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that trail food doesn’t have to be complicated.

When you carry everything you need on your back, food choices are often driven by practicality rather than nutrition. The reality is that many traditional trail foods are not particularly nutritious; They are simply lightweight, easy to carry, have a long lifespan, and provide the calories you need to keep moving.

Of course, I try to include healthier options whenever I can, but on a hike the priority is usually getting enough energy without adding unnecessary weight to the pack. That’s why you’ll find hikers eating a lot of noodles, bars, nuts, and other high-calorie foods that wouldn’t necessarily make it onto their plate at home.

Days in the city are a great opportunity to balance things out with fresh fruits and vegetables and more varied meals, but on the road simplicity wins. If a meal is light, easy to prepare, and gives you enough fuel to tackle the next climb, it earns a spot in the food bag.

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