By far the most popular question I field is,"What food should I take camping?" And my answer is always the same: "It depends." It depends on what you like and don't like, and whether or not you enjoy the process of preparing food. It also depends on how much you eat, how much energy you will be expending, and whether you have more time than money—or more money than time—to spend on prepping meals.

Though there's no easy answer to this seemingly simple question, you aren't without hope. Before you reach for the grocery list, print and answer GORP's Backcountry Cuisine Questionnaire. There are no right or wrong answers—only honest ones—and they will help you get a better sense of what, and how much to put in your pack.

BACKCOUNTRY QUESTIONNAIRE

Taste
Determine your likes and dislikes at home. There's no reason to stray from what you know and love.
What kinds of foods do you typically eat for: breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, and dessert?

What favorite foods give you a lift or make your day?
Are there any foods that you dislike and won't eat?
Do you have special dietary restrictions?

If you have favorite (or detested) foods at home, think about how you can incorporate them (or leave them out of) your trail menu. If you enjoy ethnic food, plan a Mexican, Thai, or Chinese meal. If you don't like healthy bits like oatmeal, don't take it with you; you'll like it even less when they're the only thing left in your pack.

Medium-effort: You don't want to spend a whole lot of time cooking, and you use some of the products listed above, but you vary breakfasts, add fruit and nuts to cereal, pack a choice of items for lunch, and include dried vegetables and the occassional tasty seasoning for dinner.

High-effort: If you use complex recipes, search for special foods, dehydrate your own fruits and vegetables, and devote enough time on trail to make sure each meal is distinct, there's no denying that you're a trailside gourmet.

It's also useful to know your personal limits as well as those of your group. Don't go overboard. If you prefer simple, quick meals at home, you're not going to enjoy preparing complicated meals on trail. If you enjoy gourmet cooking, don't assume that your fellow adventurer will want to share the cooking burden.

Move on to Eating Habits and Physical Demands

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