Expedition Food

Here you can read information surrounding your personal and group food choices.

Why are food choices important?

Eating the right kinds of food (and plenty of it), as well as staying hydrated, are two of the key components to a successful DofE expedition. As your body will be using much more energy whilst out walking, it’s not enough to simply eat what you would on a ‘normal’ day. Sometimes participants can feel sickness, lack of energy and discomfort due to dehydration, and in the majority of these cases the situation could have been avoided if more consideration had been given to the intake of food and water.

How much food should I take?

You should eat approximately double the amount that you would on a normal day. This will vary from person to person, but you will need between 3000 - 4000 kcal per day. Although your rucksack may feel heavy when you leave home, the volume of food will quickly be reduced as you eat it.

Cooking

You will be cooking using a trangia stove at the campsites in the morning and in the evening. While out on expedition during the day you won’t be able to use your stove, so you will need to pack cold lunch items for during the day.

Consideration of what food to bring

High calorie and slow-release carbohydrates (e.g. pasta, rice, wholemeal bread)
Can it be cooked on a trangia stove?
Will it be quick and easy to cook?
Will it be easy to clean the pans?
Is it heavy or bulky? Will it get squashed in your rucksack?
Is the food long life and won’t go off during your expedition?

Breakfast Ideas

Porridge sachets
Cereal / muesli portions with powdered milk
Individually wrapped items such as cereal bars, croissants & brioche
Dreid fruit
Pittas or bagels with portions of spread (jam, chocolate etc)

Lunch Ideas

Packed lunch on day 1
Pittas, bagels, wraps
Indvividual portions of spreads (jam, cheese)
Individually wrapped cheeses (e.g. Babybels)
Crackers, oat cakes, pringles (think about packing)
Individually wrapped cured meat such as Pepperami

Dinner Ideas

Pasta with sauce sachets or pre-flavoured
Noodles with sauce sachets or pre-flavoured (avoid pot noodles)
Rice with sauce sachets or pre-flavoured
Individual sauce sachets to add to your carbohydrates

Snack Ideas

Flapjack or similar
Cereal bars
Biscuits
Chocolate
Sweet

Drinks / Extra Ideas

Tea bags
Powdered milk
Hot chocolate sachets
Salt, pepper, sugar sachets
Small bottle of concentrated cordial

Expedition Meal Pouches

You can buy expedition type meal pouches from outdoor shopssuch as Wayfayer and Firepot branded meals. We will discuss these option during the parent evening.