>>2529759Most people on thru hikes don’t have time or the inclination to actually cook food at the end of a day of hiking. Food weight matters, as does fuel. There’s also the matter of time, though that’s minor. Shelf life and packability come into play as well.
Since you said it was a thru hike and specifically singled out freeze dried meals, I’m guessing you haven’t looked too much into what people are actually eating. They’re not eating ready made freeze dried stuff. Think of it this way: where do you generally resupply on a thru hike, and do those places sell free dried meals? Walmart is about the only exception, but generally you’ll be in a small town grocery store (or a gas station or Dollar General or something, depending on the trail and logistics).
Pic is true for thru hiking in the US. It’s mostly junk but that’s what people are bringing. The sodium content is fairly high, but you’re not eating this while sitting on the sofa. And f you’re on a popular trail every third or fourth day you’ll be in a town and can buy actual food.
