While on a trip I find I usually eat one meal a day out since a big part of the adventure for me is finding good local foods and restaurants...
I make every effort without being religious about it, to eat natural and whole foods, organically raised if possible. On the other hand I will eat a Big Mac if need be....I don't miss many meals....
I will carry several breakfasts of a plain instant oatmeal (the instant packaged ones are mostly sugar) , nuts, usually pecans since I live in pecan country, and dried fruit of some kind, often cranberries or blueberries. I mix these together in ziploc bags per meal. I like to add a few tablespoons of dried soy milk....I carry a container of it and it keeps really well and immediately dissolves when put in water... (I use Better Than Milk brand)
When I make hot water for coffee in the morning with my Primus stove, I make enough to fill the oatmeal bowl with enough water to soak and hydrate the oatmeal. It is done and ready to eat in just a couple minutes.
I always carry a few things to make a meal if needed. I have a couple foil envelopes of dried chicken noodle soup, a couple foil packs of tuna salad, a couple of Spam slices. I carry good crackers, a few bagels, a pack of wheat tortillas, fresh ground peanut butter, a bottle of honey. Several high energy bars, some dried fruit and nuts.
I ride a sidecar rig so I do have more room than most but I try to travel as light as I comfortably can. I have gotten away from ice and refrigeration of any kind. More of a hassle then I like to deal with and I have learned to drink warmer water, etc. I do have a Aerostich cooler cover for a bottle that you wet and when you are in the wind it cools your drink down. I like it. I don't drink alcohol so there is no problem keeping beer cold, etc.
Living near Mexico in a Hispanic culture, as well as spending a lot of my time in Latin America, I eat as is pretty customary there.
Lots of fresh onions, garlic, jalapeño peppers, red and green chile powder, etc., tortillas, eggs and some meat and fish. Lots of fresh fruit.I like cheese too but in Mexico,...not so much as there isn't as much flavor in their cheeses.
I find this way of eating perfect for my camping habits and everything I make has some of those ingredients, sometimes all of them. Dried re-fried beans and Rice Sides work well to repackage and make as part of a meal.
I use a small spray bottle of vinegar water mix to spray on whatever needs cleaning, even on fruits and veggies to sanitize. Or my ever present bottle of Dr. Bronner's Peppermint castile soap and a dish washing sponge cut in half.
When traveling in Mexico or anywhere in Latin America I eat out more often as I absolutely love the foods there. But I still eat my main meal in the morning or middle of the day and lightly at night....
Mostly I try to eat simply on the road and not have cooking be a large event...Lots of cold food too. In Latin America I eat a lot of street food...just make sure it is being cooked as I watch.
I just learned on my last trip that a bladder from a box of wine makes a really good little water vessel for camp...takes up little room and you can carry it in a plastic shopping bag back from the spigot! My friend who does still drink, brought one along and I was impressed with it. I proceeded to find one in a campground dumpster so have one of my own now. hehehe
Actually I carry a 2 1/2 gallon jug of water on my sidecar so I am usually set up fine.
Hope this makes sense and might be helpful to someone....
Happy trails...
Brian
