Backpack Meal Trials – No Cook Breakfast

UPDATE 05 AUG 18:  Added Good To-Go package weight.

I made a terrible error on our elk hunt in 2016. That error was the assumption that my 25 years of Army service, and 25 years of eating terrible tasting meals-ready-to-eat, meant that any backpacking meal would be good. I did research: internet reading, listened to podcasts, and talked to some folks.

I focused on calories alone in the planning. I did not do any empirical research on taste or preparation time/difficulty. That was wrong. The meals I took into the backcountry did not taste good and took a long time to prep/re-hydrate. The result was I limited my caloric intake and wasted a bunch of money.

That will not happen again. I don’t know how many times I have preached “train like you fight” to my Soldiers, but I didn’t follow my own edict.

This year I am conducting a serious trial of various backcountry meal options. I will be looking at weight, taste, caloric density, and ease of preparation. Regarding ease of preparation, I find that I tend to favor no-cook options, so time from cook to eat will be a factor.

I have been monitoring daily caloric output via Garmin Fenix over the last several months, and am at a 2,250 cal/day average right now while primarily working in a office job, and three to four days of working out/hiking per week. I am planning on a 3,000 cal/day requirement in the mountains.

First up, breakfast. I want to look a two similar products side-by-side.

To start, I chose Good To-Go granola.

Good To-Go Granola

Cost:  $6.50 from Amazon.  Note that I purchased from my local outdoor store.

Servings per package: 1

Caloric density:  580 cal

Package weight:   0.328 lb (111 cal/oz)

Cooking Option:  Can be eaten hot or cold.

Preparation time:  No wait time required, just add water, stir and eat.

Good To-Go Package Weight

I tried this mixed with cold water, it calls for just less than half a cup (4 oz), and that is about right.  I ate it like traditional cereal, so there was some milk in the package.  The result is a loose granola, not thick like oatmeal.  After adding the water, I ate this almost immediately.

This tasted good, and was not too sweet.  Lots of large, whole nuts, and dehydrated berries.  Texture was good, the granola was neither too crunchy or  too soft.

I ate this package about 0730 and went on a kayak fishing trip.  I was not hungry again through mid-day, which included several bouts of heavy paddling.

I feel like this is a keeper.  It was half the cost of other two-serving options, with an equal amount of calories and nutritional value.

Next up:  Peak Refuel Strawberry Granola

Peak Refuel Strawberry Granola

Cost:  $7.99 on Amazon.  I purchased from Amazon.

Servings per package: 2

Caloric density:  260/530 cal or 96 cal/oz (one serving/two serving)

Package weight:   0.343 lb

Preparation:  Cold

Peak Nutrition Panel

I prepared this exactly as the package instructed, which says to wait five minutes prior to eating.  Presumably, this is to re-hydrate some of the dried fruits.

I found this meal to not be as crunchy as the Good-to-Go meal, so if you don’t like a mush texture this one is not for you.  The strawberry flavor was pretty pronounced, so if you don’t like that then steer clear of this one.

I had this package about 0800, and went about my day. Seemed to be filling enough, and did not notice any early appetite.

Conclusion and Observations:  If I had to choose between the two, I would pick the Good-to-Go granola over Peak based on texture and taste.  Good-to-Go also has a bit higher caloric value, and smaller package size.

So there is the first comparison.  Good To-Go granola will definitely have a place in my pack this fall.  If you have tried either of these, let us know your experience in the comments.

Our next entry will compare meal bars.  ProBar vs Greenbelly Meal2Go.