As in any good survival game, you’ll need to take care of your basic bodily needs alongside big building projects and exploration. And without a balanced diet, you won’t get far in Sons of the Forest. Fortunately, the island offers plenty of ways to keep your stomach full and survive in the long run. From rich flora and fauna to abandoned camps and even some unconventional food sources, you have lots of options. The system isn’t as complex as in some other titles, but it still gives you great ways to find a variety of foods and even process some of them.
Hunting animals and processing meat/fish in Sons of the Forest
One of the quickest and simplest options is to live off the island’s wildlife. Especially early on, you should get used to hunting. The spawn point by the river in the forest is perfect, as it’s teeming with animals darting around. The freshwater is also full of fish practically waiting to be speared and eaten. One hit with your starter ax and you’ve got some tasty meat. But hunting isn’t all that easy!
- Crafting tip: Make a spear early (lightweight, accurate, and versatile) and later a bow for safe ranged attacks.
Active and passive hunting: Use spear, bow, and traps effectively
To actively hunt for meat and fish, grab your weapon of choice, pick a target in the woods or river, and try to land a hit. For beginners, we recommend crafting the spear right away—you can poke around in the water and also throw it at animals. Since most animals run from you, you’ll need to be a bit crafty to avoid spooking them. Fish also swim away as soon as you slog through the water. Sneak, use cover, and throw from short range.
If you’re struggling with hunting, you can set traps. The blueprint building system offers 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 can be put together with just a few sticks and placed within the first minutes of the game. Check them regularly to see if they’ve caught anything. Most of the other traps are intended for cannibals—you can eat their flesh, but only use it in an emergency.
You can also have Kelvin gather food for you—very handy if you want to focus on something else. Give Kelvin the order and he’ll do the rest. For example, he can catch fish and hang them to dry right away.
Preparing meat and fish: Drying, cooking, shelf life
No matter what animal you kill—everything is grouped under “meat.” This makes inventory management much easier. The bigger the animal, the more meat you’ll get. Moose are best, of course, but they’re rare. Fish also aren’t subdivided further. And if you’re truly desperate, you can resort to arms and legs from cannibals.
You can further process both fish and meat to make them ready to eat:
- Drying: Hang meat or fish on the drying rack to greatly extend its shelf life.
- Cooking: Cook it over a campfire to make it juicy and nutritious. Be careful not to burn it!
Meat spoils after a while—so don’t carry too much as a stockpile. Never eat spoiled meat!
Safely gathering and growing berries, mushrooms, and herbs in Sons of the Forest
Beyond meat and fish, there are many plants you can eat. Pay close attention to what’s edible and what isn’t. Just like in real life, don’t eat every berry or mushroom you find. In the worst case, they can poison you.
In the forest, you’ll find berry bushes with various berries. At first, your character won’t know which are safe. Eat a berry at least once so the HUD can mark it with the “Pac-Man” icon going forward: Red = bad, Green = good. Of seven berry types, only four are safe to eat. It’s similar with mushrooms: there are four types, but only three are edible.
Herbs fall into a different category. You can find them in the forest alongside berries and mushrooms. They’re edible but are primarily used for medical purposes. Combine different herbs in your inventory to craft 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 who’s made it to this supposedly deserted island. You’ll find camps and abandoned suitcases left by others, often stocked with snacks. These foods are best for emergencies, as most don’t expire and keep for a long time.
On your excursions you might find energy bars, MREs, instant ramen, cereal, or canned food. For the latter you’ll need a can opener, which you can find in various camps. Pick up as much of this food as you can to be prepared for tough situations. Later, you can store it at your base.
Pot recipes: Stews and buffs at the campfire
Finally, you can make 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 will suggest valid combinations. Good stews provide reliable satiety and can grant helpful situational effects.
Conclusion: Nutrition tips for Sons of the Forest
In Sons of the Forest, you’ll need to worry not just about cannibals but also about everyday needs like food. Luckily, the island is full of nutritious things you can eat or process. The flora and fauna offer a wide variety, and leftovers from campers are perfect for a quick snack. Rent a Sons of the Forest server from us and cook a delicious stew together from ingredients you find in the forest!
