Home5 tips for cooking on your DofE expedition

Blog 7 May 2025 By By David Love; Adventurer, speaker and youth development champion

5 tips for cooking on your DofE expedition

Food can make or break any adventure, it’s not just about fuelling your body, and with a little forward planning, you can save weight, time, and money while boosting team morale. On a DofE expedition your body is working hard, burning calories, and pushing through miles of tough terrain so it’s crucial that your food sustains you; but good nutrition doesn’t mean boring meals!

Read my top tips for prepping and cooking during your DofE expedition.

David Love, dressed in an orange outdoor jacket and sitting on grassy terrain in a mountainous area, shares his meal with a curious, fluffy black and white pony. A green tent is visible in the background among rocky hills and misty peaks, suggesting a camping trip in a remote, scenic location.

1. How do you plan and organise food for a UK-based expedition?

For a 3-5 day trek, I pre-portion meals into labelled zip-lock bags: ‘Day 1 Lunch’, ‘Day 1 Dinner’, and each bag contains all the ingredients needed for that meal. Dinner is always three courses! I start with cheese and biscuits or a small pouch of olives, followed by ready-cooked pasta with an add-in sauce (all in one pouch), and I’ll finish with a fruit smoothie or yoghurt pouch.

To plan your expedition meals, download our expedition menu planner.

2. How best should I pack my food and cookware?

Avoid tins, jars, and cardboard packaging – they add unnecessary weight and bulk. Instead, opt for food in pouches that squash flat when empty. Repackage bulky food into zip-lock bags, and remember that dehydrated meals are perfect for DofE expeditions since you’ll always have access to water at your camping site.

3. How do I keep my cookware clean during my expedition?

It’s vital to be as hygienic as you possible can during your expedition, especially in the UK, where you’ll be crossing fences and stiles near sheep and cows – animals carry all sorts of nasty bugs. Always pack a small hand sanitiser or you can wash pots and pans properly with eco-friendly soap.

To save on washing up, choose meals you can eat straight from their pouch and just add hot water! This keeps your Trangia pots clean as you’ll only need them for boiling water. Less washing up means more time in your sleeping bag!

4. How do I cook outside in bad weather?

When it’s pouring with rain and you’re soaked with no shelter, stopping to rummage for food is the last thing you want to do. Keep snacks easily accessible in an outer pocket of your rucksack so your group can grab them for you while walking. You should also keep your snacks in a waterproof bag – there’s nothing worse than pulling out a soggy pasty from your rucksack!

Remember to never cook inside your tent, even in bad weather.

David Love kneels on a camouflage picnic blanket during a DofE expedition, preparing food from a packet while a group of teenage girls sit around him, watching attentively and smiling. The group is gathered in a grassy outdoor area beside old brick and stone walls, with foam blocks stacked nearby—creating an informal and supportive setting for the expedition activity.

5. Do you have any other advice for cooking on your expedition?

Try to vary your meals as much as you can – no one wants to eat pasta and sauce every day of your expedition!
Bring food that life your spirits – a small comfort snack can boost morale when you’re cold and tired. For me, that’s Yorkshire tea and a mini pork pie!
Leave no trace – waxy fruit peels like bananas and oranges take over two years to decompose, make sure you bin them properly
Be snack smart – keep your energy levels steady with high-calorie snacks like nuts, dried fruit and energy bars. You could even create your own custom trail mix with your favourite snacks
Balance your meals – a mix of carbs, protein and fats will keep you fuelled for the long days. High-fat snacks keep you fuller for longer as your body mainly burns fat while trekking
Add flavour – a small bag of salt, pepper, or chilli flakes can transform a bland meal
Stay hydrated – make sure you drink regularly and replace salts if you’re sweating a lot
Hot drinks matter – I start my day with a hot tea and carry a small flask for a mid-morning morale boost. Hot chocolate before bed is also a winner, especially when it’s cold!
Store rubbish properly – pack extra zip-lock bags for your used food packaging. No one wants their sleeping bag covered in pasta sauce!
Don’t skip breakfast – quick options like porridge with dried fruit give you a boost without slowing you down
Be cautious with dairy – cheese can be great, but milk-based products can spoil in warm weather. UHT sachets or powdered milk are better options
Don’t overpack – calculate exactly how much you need, carrying a week’s worth of food for a two-day trip is unnecessary weight!

With the right approach, food on DofE expeditions isn’t just about survival – it’s about thriving. Plan smart, pack light, and don’t forget a few comfort foods to boost morale when the miles feel endless. Your expedition should be an adventure, not a battle with bad meals. Happy trekking and eat well out there!

Take a look at our expedition kit resources and read more about how to prepare for your expedition.