Whether it's for health or personal reasons, going gluten-free is a trend that is catching on. For some it's a medical necessity, for others it can be an intolerance or personal choice. Various studies have shown that our digestive systems are rejecting gluten based products for reasons that include: pesticides used on the crops, FODMAP sugar content, or the genetic modification of the wheat. Whatever the reason, many people are seeing the benefits of living life without wheat. Modifying your diet is a big change and requires a lot of effort and money, but if the physical and mental benefits outweigh the hassle then it's worth it. I am afflicted by the common triad of intolerances: gluten, dairy and egg, therefore my suggestions will be based on those restrictions.
Gluten-free living at home is a challenge no question but gluten-free multi-day backpacking is even more difficult. The 'go-to' backcountry menu options you used to pack are now no longer an option. What do you bring? Here are some lightweight options for your next extended backpacking trip:
Breakfast:
Gluten free Oatmeal
Gluten free Granola
Alpine Aire Hash Browns and Reds/Greens
Greenbelly Meal Replacement Bars
Glutino Gluten-Free Pop Tarts
Gluten-free living at home is a challenge no question but gluten-free multi-day backpacking is even more difficult. The 'go-to' backcountry menu options you used to pack are now no longer an option. What do you bring? Here are some lightweight options for your next extended backpacking trip:
Breakfast:
Gluten free Oatmeal
Gluten free Granola
Alpine Aire Hash Browns and Reds/Greens
Greenbelly Meal Replacement Bars
Glutino Gluten-Free Pop Tarts
Lunch:
Gluten-free sandwiches- Bagels, breads and sandwich rolls
Flatbread Crackers with spreads like nut butters, hummus, jams.
Gluten-free loaf breads (banana or lemon poppyseed) or muffins
Snacks like: Nuts, G-Free Beef Jerky,G-Free Pepperettes, Candy, Fruit Leather, Trail Mix, Dehydrated Fruit, Rice crackers, Dark Chocolate
Dehydrated Miso soup
Greenbelly Meal Replacement Bars
Energy Bars: There are many G-Free bars on the market. Here are some of the options I've found. Prices are normally cheaper if bought in bulk. Individual prices vary so quoted prices below are approximate*. I aim to find bars that cost around $1.00 CDN. Look out for sales! My handsdown favourite is the Kronobar Coconut Cherry. Taste is superb and doesn't freeze in the winter! The regular Clif Bars aren't labelled "Gluten Free" but because of the high organic content I have found I don't have any problems with them.
Gluten-free sandwiches- Bagels, breads and sandwich rolls
Flatbread Crackers with spreads like nut butters, hummus, jams.
Gluten-free loaf breads (banana or lemon poppyseed) or muffins
Snacks like: Nuts, G-Free Beef Jerky,G-Free Pepperettes, Candy, Fruit Leather, Trail Mix, Dehydrated Fruit, Rice crackers, Dark Chocolate
Dehydrated Miso soup
Greenbelly Meal Replacement Bars
Energy Bars: There are many G-Free bars on the market. Here are some of the options I've found. Prices are normally cheaper if bought in bulk. Individual prices vary so quoted prices below are approximate*. I aim to find bars that cost around $1.00 CDN. Look out for sales! My handsdown favourite is the Kronobar Coconut Cherry. Taste is superb and doesn't freeze in the winter! The regular Clif Bars aren't labelled "Gluten Free" but because of the high organic content I have found I don't have any problems with them.
1. All But Gluten - Chocolate Chip Granola Bar: 110 Calories, $1.10
2. Bakery on Main - Extreme Trail Mix Granola Bar: 120 Calories, $1.10
3. Clif Mojo Bar - Coconut Almond Peanut: 200 Calories, 40g, $1.69
4. Nakd - Cashew Chewie: 140 Calories, 35g, $1.39
5. Go Macro - Cashew Caramel: 260 Calories, 60g, $3.60
6. Kind - Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan: 200 calories, 40g, $1.99
7. Kronobar - Coconut Cherry: 180 Calories, 50g, $3
8. LaraBar - CocoCoconutChew: 250 Calories, 51g, $1.99
9. Pro Bar - Whole Berry Blast: 360 Calories, 85g, $3.30
10. Sezme - Sesame Snaps: 180 Calories, 22.5g, $0.59
11. Solo - Chocolate Charger: 190 Calories, 50g, $1.69
12. SunRype Fruitsource - Mango Mangosteen: 120 calories, 37g, $1.07
13. Taste of Nature - Quebec Cranberry Carnival: 180 Calories, 40g, $1.55
2. Bakery on Main - Extreme Trail Mix Granola Bar: 120 Calories, $1.10
3. Clif Mojo Bar - Coconut Almond Peanut: 200 Calories, 40g, $1.69
4. Nakd - Cashew Chewie: 140 Calories, 35g, $1.39
5. Go Macro - Cashew Caramel: 260 Calories, 60g, $3.60
6. Kind - Dark Chocolate Cinnamon Pecan: 200 calories, 40g, $1.99
7. Kronobar - Coconut Cherry: 180 Calories, 50g, $3
8. LaraBar - CocoCoconutChew: 250 Calories, 51g, $1.99
9. Pro Bar - Whole Berry Blast: 360 Calories, 85g, $3.30
10. Sezme - Sesame Snaps: 180 Calories, 22.5g, $0.59
11. Solo - Chocolate Charger: 190 Calories, 50g, $1.69
12. SunRype Fruitsource - Mango Mangosteen: 120 calories, 37g, $1.07
13. Taste of Nature - Quebec Cranberry Carnival: 180 Calories, 40g, $1.55
Dinner:
When backpacking, weight and size are crucial so I will only be discussing dehydrated, pre-packed meals, especially if you need to squeeze 10 days worth of food into a bear barrel. The majority of the selections are from two companies: Backpacker's Pantry and Alpine Aire. Here are my favourites:
Backpacker's Pantry: Pad Thai
Backpacker's Pantry: Kathmandu Curry
Backpacker's Pantry: Chicken Vindaloo
Backpacker's Pantry: Thai Style Coconut Curry with Beef
Others:
Alpine Aire Pepper Steak with Rice
Alpine Aire Mountain Chili
Alpine Vegetarian Burrito Bowl
Alpine Air Mesquite BBQ Seasoned Chicken With Beans and Rice
Alpine Air Black Bart Chili with Beef and Beans
Alpine Air Chicken Gumbo
Alpine Aire Corn Chowder
I would love to hear your suggestions if you have any to share! Contact me under the contact link above! Look for a Gluten-Free Canoe Tripping blog post in the near future!
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