As in any good survival title, alongside big building projects or exploration, you also need to take care of your basic bodily needs. And without a balanced diet, you won’t get far in Sons of the Forest either. Fortunately, the island offers many different ways to keep yourself well-fed and survive long-term. From rich flora and fauna and abandoned camps to more unconventional food sources, you have plenty of options. The system isn’t as complex as in some other games, 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 familiar with hunting animals right away. The forest river spawn is perfect, as it teems with critters darting around. The fresh water is also full of fish practically waiting to be speared and eaten. One hit with your starter axe and you’ve got fresh meat. Hunting isn’t that easy, though!
- Crafting tip: Craft a spear early (light, precise, and versatile), and later make a bow for safe ranged attacks.
Active and passive hunting: use spears, bows, and traps effectively
You can actively hunt for meat and fish by equipping your weapon of choice, picking a target in the woods or river, and landing your hits. For beginners, we recommend crafting the spear right away, since you can poke around in the water or throw it at animals. Because most animals will run from you, you’ll need a bit of finesse to avoid spooking them. Fish also swim away as soon as you wade in. Crouch, use cover, and throw from close range.
If you struggle with hunting, you can rely on 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 are easy to assemble with a few sticks and can be placed within the first minutes of the game. Check regularly to see if they’ve caught anything. Most other traps are intended for cannibals — their meat is technically edible, 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 command and he’ll handle the rest. For example, he can catch fish and hang them up to dry immediately.
Preparing meat and fish: drying, roasting, shelf life
No matter what animal you kill, everything is grouped under “Meat.” That makes inventory management much easier. The bigger the animal, the more meat you get. Moose are best, but rare. Fish also have no extra subtypes. And if you’re truly desperate, arms and legs from cannibals are an option.
You can further process and prepare both fish and meat for consumption:
- Drying: Hang meat or fish on a drying rack to significantly increase shelf life.
- Roasting: Cook it on a campfire to make it juicy and nutritious. Be careful not to burn it!
Meat spoils over time — don’t carry too much around “just in case.” Never eat spoiled meat!
Safely foraging 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 different berries. At first, your character doesn’t know which ones are safe. Eat a berry at least once so your HUD will show the “Pacman” symbol in the future: 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 another category. You’ll find them alongside berries and mushrooms. They are edible but mainly intended for medical use. Combine various herbs in your inventory to make a Health Mix or Energy Mix. You can also plant herbs and berries yourself — perfect 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 made it to this supposedly abandoned island. All over, you’ll find camps and suitcases left behind by others, often containing snacks. These are best for emergencies, as most don’t expire and keep for a long time.
On your travels you might find energy bars, MRE packs, instant ramen, cornflakes, or canned food. For the latter you need a can opener, which you can find in various camps. Stock up on as many of these foods as you can to be prepared for emergencies. Later, you can store them at your base.
Cooking pot recipes: stews and buffs over the campfire
Finally, you can craft more complex dishes by combining ingredients in a cooking pot and preparing them over a campfire. You can find pots in various camps. Combine meat, herbs, and other ingredients into empowering stews. Try different recipes — the gear icon in your inventory suggests valid combinations. Good stews keep you well-fed and can provide helpful situational effects.
Conclusion: Nutrition tips for Sons of the Forest
In Sons of the Forest, you not only have to worry about cannibals, but also about everyday needs like food. Luckily, the island is full of nutritious things to eat or process further. The flora and fauna offer a wide selection, and leftovers from other campers are perfect for a quick snack. Rent a Sons of the Forest server from us and cook a tasty stew together from the ingredients you find in the woods!
