Always take some food along — it keeps your energy level high and means less of your hike will be spent wishing to hell it was over.
You don’t need much: an apple, an energy bar, some dried fruit, homemade chocolate chip cookies. If you’ll be out all day, toss in a PB&J.
Fresh oranges really hit the spot on long hikes. Peel one before you go and you’ve got sliced goodness to propel you along.
Don’t get carried away, but don’t worry if you carry things you don’t end up eating. Extra food means you’ll have something for the next hike.