Looking for new backpacking foods

[Griddles]

About a year ago i got really into hiking and backpacking, and like any beginner, i made a few mistakes. My main mistake was the food in which i brought. Now what i am looking for are some new foods to try on backpacking trips, i am open to any suggestions.

Some things that are already on my list are:
Instant mashed potatoes
Zatarains Rice
Noodles
GORP
Granola Bars
Peanut Butter

I am also open to any opinions about the food i listed above, especially the peanut butter which i am concerned about the weight.

Thanks
-Griddles

[whiteOak]

hello. I like your list of foods so far. to that list, I might add things like chocolate bars; ramen prepackaged noodles; lots of different kinds of dried fruits. if youre not a vegetarian, I might also suggest those thin foil packages of tuna. and bring some crackers. bread just gets crushed, but good hard crackers make it through to the end of the day. I like to bake my own, twice-baked, but you may find that triscuits are pretty hard to beat on the trail. they go with almost everything. you may also want to bring along some delicacy for the end of the day, like solid blocks of good ripe cheese or cookies. there's a company called Knorr which makes a wide range of pre-packaged freeze-dried foods which are meant for the kitchen but work just as well on the trail. I hope you can find some of these things at your local market.

cheers

[Jchwoodsy]

those are ALL good foods for backpacking trips.

may I add another important staple - Margerine!

no, its not easy to transport, but its worth it, especially for an extended backpack trip

[John13np]

Ditto on the Tuna and cheese (I usually just go with Velveeta).

I also like wheat thins (take it out of the box of course), Cliff bars are a must for me (most energy bars will do), Potato Bread is a great add to your instant mashed potatoes, and great with whatever cheese you take. Instant grits and oatmeal are also good.

Most people would disagree with me, but I also love taking about 3 or 4 Oscar Mayers beef hotdogs out with me for my first night (no matter how long the trip), which also goes great on that potato bread and a couple packets of ketchup (does depend on the length of the trip if i carry these).

I am also a fan of some Mountain House foods. I know they are expensive, but I think they are worth it. They taste great (most of them), and they are very feeling.

[Acid Cat]

nuts, nuts, nuts!

[John13np]

Right, and nuts.

[Griddles]

thanks for the suggestions everyone! i will be sure to try the hard cracker idea, dried fruit, wheat thins, and tuna.
WhiteOak, i will be sure to check out Knorr.
Jchwoodsy, what do you use margerine just to eat or to add to other foods?
John12np, how do cliff bars compare to other trail bars? i have heard a lot about them, but no one in my area sells them so i have to order them online if i decide to try them.

[John13np]

Well, the thing I love about Clif bars is that they are organic. I know that sounds pretty lame now-in-days, but, most other power bars are not. Also I think it's neat that they started out as a small time business (so they say) and has now grown into who they are.

Oh, and the taste doesn't hurt either

I know there are more points and comparisons, but honestly I haven’t tried too many other power bars, so I couldn't fairly compare to other brands.

[Griddles]

Thanks for the info John13np, although they are a bit more expensive i think i will try them now.

[John13np]

Yeah you definitely should, the extra cost is worth it. And you can just call me John haha