Snack Tips for the Outdoors: What to Bring and What to Avoid

When heading outdoors in summer, it's important to choose snacks that won't melt, crumble, or spoil in the heat. Rimi taste guide Zane Grēviņa offers several practical solutions.

One of the simplest options is nuts and nut mixes. They can be bought ready-made or prepared at home by adding seeds, dried ginger, or fruit. Zane particularly recommends salty nuts combined with dried mango for a sweet-and-savory taste. However, avoid mixes containing chocolate pieces, as they melt and make everything sticky.

Another good choice is crackers, cookies, and protein bars. Zane recommends oat cookies with nut butter for energy. Homemade granola with added protein forms cookie-like clusters that are easy to pop into the mouth. Popcorn is also a great trail snack.

For a savory treat, aged hard cheeses, cheese sticks, and smoked cheeses work well, but avoid fresh cheeses. Mini kabanos sausages or dried meat jerky, available in supermarkets, are also convenient.

Olives and pickled items are suitable, but ensure the packaging is leak-proof. Fresh apples are excellent after a long hike—they can be sliced or taken whole.

Classic open-faced sandwiches are best made with sturdy bread like rye or toasted white bread. Zane also suggests a special combo: cookies with condensed milk from a sachet, melted chocolate bar in foil used as a spread, and dates with leftover salty cheese pieces.

What to definitely avoid? Bananas, according to Zane's experience, quickly spoil in heat and become inedible. Also avoid cream cheese, cottage cheese, fish, crab sticks, seafood, and eggs.

Snacks are best stored in tightly sealed bags or containers. An empty container is useful for waste. It's recommended not to open packages until eating to keep crumbs and moisture inside. For cooling, a water bottle with ice can be used; it will melt during the day and provide cold drinking water.