Is hiking or camping on your agenda? Besides having a complete backup of hiking and camping essentials, mapping out your wilderness nutrition needs is also imperative. There's so much to plan and pick besides just grabbing a water bottle and energy bar.
Here are some quick nutrition tips that will help you ensure a safe and nourishing food experience on your next outdoor adventure.
Let's get started!
Do plan
When you head for such adventurous getaways, keep in mind that your food and water needs are generally higher than usual excursions. Whether shorter or longer vacation, you have to be very considerate of packing plenty of fluids, especially hot-weather adventures.
Some key points to be particular about while you pack for your hiking or camping trip:
Length of the trip
Checklist of all food and beverages
A cooling freezer is an option or not
Which cookware essentials to carry
Prepare for the weather
Fire: matches, lighter, fire starters
Buy proper hiking boots and socks
Nutrition: at least an extra day’s supply of no-cook, nutritious food
Stay hydrated
Hydration is the key to pursue great adventures. You must consume at least 4 cups of water before you head for a hike. You must have a complete backup of hydration packs.
Also, don't forget the thumb rule of hydration that is planning to drink 2 cups of fluid every hour of your adventure trail. Further, remember to drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty, especially during hotter days.
Make sure you carry water bottles, health supplements, hydration packs, and hydration supplements like hydration tabs and gels. Also, make sure you have access to clean drinking water during your adventure trail.
Do follow all food safety practices
When you head for adventure getaways, you need to follow good food safety practices judiciously, from packing to the plating. Whether you are heading out on an adventure trip for a few hours, you should follow various food safety practices.
Remember not to harm the environment while doing any adventure activity, be it cooking food or collecting wood. Also, don't store food for too long as it becomes unsafe to eat and should be thrown out. Further, when you store food for a long time, it may start producing a foul smell. This can also lead to food wastages. So you should be careful about it.
To have a hygienic getaway, carry these food safety essentials:
Cookware sets
Can opener
Disposable wipes, hand sanitizer, or biodegradable soap
Bowls and plates
Kettle or cooking pot
Ice packs, if applicable
Trash bags
Portable water filters or water purification tablets
Wash your hands after:
going to the toilet
handling raw food
blowing your nose
handling garbage
Carry healthy snacks
While packing meals for longer outdoor adventures, pick the ones packed with all your energy requirements. Make sure you fuel your body with them after every 2-3 hours to cut down the exhaustion caused during outdoor adventures.
If you are someone who can snack anything and everything, don't forget to add protein, fat, and fibre to your intake. These supplements help you remain boosted for at least 2-3 hours. Moreover, they will also make you feel energized for longer times.
Follow these food safety rules
Wash your hands consistently. This not only includes before and after eating but after every few hours.
Don't mix the raw meats and ready-to-eat foods. Keep them separate.
Do carry some extra plates — one for raw and one for prepared foods.
To eat healthy and safe food, cook your food up to proper temperatures.
Try making food in small quantities so that you are not left with any leftovers.
Health and hydration supplements to carry
Trail mix
Nuts, seeds, nut-based bars, or nut butter packs
Fresh, whole fruit that doesn't require refrigeration, such as apples, bananas, and oranges
Energy gels
Hydrations tabs
Boosters
Dried fruits and veggies
Energy bars
Ready-made tuna salad pouches
Shelf-stable, dried jerky, such as poultry, salmon, or meat jerky
So next time you plan to go on a quick afternoon hike or a week-long hiking trip, these nutrition tips will help you choose the best food. So that you can conquer even the toughest of the trails.
The best food to eat while hiking will serve as fuel to keep you energized and help you recover after the strenuous hiking trip. We hope these crisp nutrition tips will help you keep your health on track during your adventurous getaways.
Have a healthy adventurous outing!
