As in any good survival title, alongside grand building projects and expeditions you also have to keep your basic bodily needs satisfied. Without a balanced diet, you won’t get far in Sons of the Forest either. Thankfully, the island offers plenty of ways to keep yourself well fed and survive in the long term. From lush flora and fauna, to abandoned camps, to more unconventional sources of food, you have a lot of choice. The system isn’t as complex as in some other games, but it still provides great options for finding and, in some cases, processing a variety of foods.
Hunting animals and processing meat/fish in Sons of the Forest
One of the quickest and easiest options is to live off the island’s wildlife. Especially early on, you should get to grips with hunting. The forest river spawn point is perfect for this, teeming with animals darting about. The freshwater is also full of fish just waiting to be speared and eaten. A hit with your starter axe and you’ve got yourself some tasty meat. But hunting isn’t that simple!
- Crafting tip: Make a spear early (light, accurate and versatile), and later a bow for safe ranged attacks.
Active and passive hunting: use spears, bows and traps effectively
You can hunt actively by taking a weapon of your choice, finding an animal in the forest or river, and trying to hit it. For beginners, we recommend crafting the spear straight away, as you can both jab into the water and throw it at animals. Since almost all animals run from you, you’ll need a bit of finesse to avoid spooking them. Fish also swim away as soon as you stomp through the water. Crouch, use cover, and throw from close range.
If you struggle with hunting, you can set traps. The blueprint building system gives you several options. Learn more in this article: (Sons of the Forest: Building System Guide – Blueprints, Free Build, Base Building) .
Both the small animal trap and the fish trap are easy to craft from a few sticks and can be placed in the very first minutes of the game. Check regularly to see if they’ve caught anything. Most other traps are intended for the cannibals — you can eat their flesh, but only use it as a last resort.
You can also have Kelvin gather food for you — very handy if you want to work on something else. Give Kelvin the order and he’ll do the rest. For example, he can catch fish and hang them straight up to dry.
Preparing meat and fish: drying, cooking, shelf life
Whatever animal you kill, it’s all grouped as “meat.” That makes inventory management much easier. The larger the animal, the more meat you get. The best yield comes from the huge moose, though they are rare. Fish aren’t subdivided either. And if you’re truly desperate, arms and legs from cannibals are an option.
You can further process both fish and meat to make them ready to eat:
- Drying: Hang meat or fish on a drying rack to greatly increase its shelf life.
- Cooking: Cook it over a campfire for a juicy, nutritious meal. Take care not to burn it!
Meat spoils after a while, so don’t carry too much as a reserve. Never eat spoilt meat!
Safely gathering and growing berries, mushrooms and herbs in Sons of the Forest
Beyond meat and fish, there are many plants you can consume. Pay close attention to what is edible and what isn’t. As in real life, don’t just eat any berry or mushroom. In the worst case, they can poison you.
In the forest you’ll find berry bushes with different berries. At first your character doesn’t know which are safe. Eat a berry at least once so the HUD can identify it for you with the Pac-Man icon: Red = bad, Green = good. Of the seven berry types, only four are safe to eat. It’s similar with mushrooms: there are four types, but only three are edible.
Herbs are a separate category you’ll also find in the forest alongside berries and mushrooms. They are edible, but mainly used for medical purposes. You can combine various herbs in your inventory to make a Health Mix or Energy Mix. You can also plant herbs and berries yourself — ideal for a safe, sustainable supply at your base.
Finding processed foods and snacks: can opener, rations, storage
You’re not the only soul to have reached this supposedly deserted island. You can find camps and abandoned cases all over the place stocked with snacks. These foods are best kept for emergencies, as most don’t expire and keep for a long time.
On your excursions you might find energy bars, MREs, instant ramen, cornflakes or canned food. For the latter you’ll need a can opener, which you can find in various camps. Feel free to hoard these foods so you’re prepared for tough situations. Later you can store them at your base.
Pot recipes: stews and buffs at the campfire
Finally, you can craft more complex dishes by combining ingredients in a cooking pot and preparing them over a campfire. You’ll find pots in various camps. Combine meat, herbs and other ingredients into hearty stews. Try different recipes — the cogwheel in your inventory suggests suitable combinations. Good stews provide reliable satiety and can offer situationally useful effects.
Conclusion: Nutrition tips for Sons of the Forest
In Sons of the Forest, you need to worry not only about the cannibals but also about everyday needs like food. Fortunately, the island is full of nutritious things you can eat or process. The flora and fauna offer a broad selection, and leftovers from campers make perfect snacks on the go. Rent a Sons of the Forest server from us and cook a tasty stew together from the ingredients you find in the forest!
