Your Appetite while Backpacking?

[rlown]

Pretty sure it has to do with age. In my 20's and 30's I could really eat. In my 40's that slowed down. Now in my 60's I'm not that hungry.

[JWreno]

I find the higher the altitude the lower my hunger. We did the last couple of JMT trips with only 1 pound of dry food per person. Two of us were in our later 50s and our son was in his early 30s.

[stevet]

I find I need to eat to sustain my energy level whether hungry or not so with the exception of dinner have abandoned "meals" and I graze throughout the day rationed at ~200 calories each hour. I also take a drink about every half hour so I can keep close to 1 liter per hour while hiking. I sometimes have to force dinner though.

Key for me is keeping the unit size small. 1/2 of a bar, a couple dukes sausages + handful of m&m's, etc.

[Gogd]

..I graze throughout the day rationed at ~200 calories each hour. I also take a drink about every half hour so I can keep close to 1 liter per hour while hiking. I sometimes have to force dinner though.

Key for me is keeping the unit size small. 1/2 of a bar, a couple dukes sausages + handful of m&m's, etc.

Excellent advice! Snack en route is what many high altitude mountaineers do, but also why I grew to hate Kendal Cake. Therefore vary your snack menu. I also found just a light carbo snack and coffee for breakfast, but a full, a cooked, protein meal for lunch and dinner works better at keeping caloric intake on par while improving endurance.
Ed