Instant Soup
Instant soup cooks fast, warms your body to keep hypothermia at bay and has the added benefit of keeping you hydrated thanks to a high water content. Many varieties of instant soups are available, and many come in small packets that are lightweight and easy to pack. While avoiding foods that must be cooked may sound like a better option for winter wilderness trips, these instant soups can literally be life savers if you become stuck in extra-cold conditions, as they help warm you from the inside. Remember to carry a fire kit to heat up your soup.
Peanut Butter
High in calories, carbohydrates and proteins, peanut butter is a near-perfect food for outdoor activities. The fact that it requires no cooking is an added bonus in the chill of winter. The one caution concerning peanut butter is that it can freeze in extremely cold temperatures. Keep it in an inside pocket at least for the last hour or so before eating to let your body heat help thaw it out.
Butter
Butter is an excellent way to add some extra calories for cold weather activity into just about anything. It can be added to anything from cereal to tomato sauce, and the alteration to taste is often barely noticeable. Again, keep in mind that butter, like peanut butter, can freeze, and needs to be thawed before use.
Snacks
While you may hear constantly that snacking is bad, during winter outdoor activities snacking is almost essential. Whatever your favorite snacks, be they energy bars, cereal, nuts, jerky, trail mix or even candy bars, carry plenty on your winter outings, and always keep them handy for a quick energy and warmth boost throughout the day.
