A low carb backpacking food list for 3 days in the backcountry

Below we give you our 3 Day Low Carb Backpacking Food List. It has all the food you need to stay well fueled on the trail with a spring in your step. It’s nutritious and provides all the calories of traditional backpacking food but it’s almost 1/2 the weight.

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Why Low Carb is a Great Choice for Backpacking Food

Low carb backpacking food is the way to go on the trail (and likely for your general health). Every year more and more data is coming out that replacing carbs with natural fats makes a healthier diet. Especially on trail and when engaged in endurance activities. Cutting carbs reduces sugar crashes and gives your mind and body the nutrients they need to sustain peak performance levels — and it has wealth of other health benefits. Finally, it is significantly lighter than traditional backpacking food for the same calories.

1/2 the Weight of Traditional Backpacking Food | Same Calories

1.2 lb of Low Carb Hiking food = 3,000 calories — Amazing, right?! That’s almost 1/2 the weight of the 2 lb per day most hikers carry. It’s nutritious and provides the same calories.

* What is Low Carb? While there is no definitive definition of a “low-carb diet,”  many definitions of a low carb diet are under 150g net carbs/day for the 3,000 cal/day that we suggest for hiking (~20% of calories). But it is up to each hiker to make their own dietary strategy — some may choose to go moderate carb or even full carb.

What if I Want More Carbs?

No worries if you want some more carbs. Using this food list a a base, and adding carbs in moderation will likely keep your food weight to around 1.5 pounds per day. Still substantially lighter than the 2 lb of food per day that the usual hiker brings.

Other Resources: See our Best Hiking Food Guide