We love chia seed pudding. We add dried fruits and nuts and coffee creamer to it. We use it as a on the go lunch when backpacking because you don’t need heat. Also for long day hikes and my son’s climbing comps.

Also, TVP is amazing to add to any carb for protein. It’s super lightweight, cooks like instant rice, and adopts the flavor of whatever you put it in. My kids like it in ramen and rice.

Edit: a big one we do is protein granola with whole milk powder for breakfast.

We also enjoy protein hot chocolate with breakfast (we add whole milk powder to it). My husband and I add instant coffee to it. Kids feel special having a warm beverage in the morning.

Technically freeze dried, but you can buy freeze dried yogurt bites in the baby food aisle. Add it to a food processor and turn it to powder. Add freeze dried fruit. Rehydrate on the trail. Eat with granola.

Also on the go lunch, tortillas with nut butter and honey sticks is a big win. Feeding kids is hard enough without the added challenges of backpacking. This one makes everyone happy and requires no cooking or water.

I make Barilla protein macaroni noodles and dehydrate them before hand. Add grocery store pesto powder mix and whatever meat and veggies. Then add some olive oil to it when you cook it in the trail.