When you’re hiking, one of the most important things to remember is to snack regularly in order to keep your energy levels up. It can be easy to get caught up in the beauty of nature and forget to eat, but if you don’t fuel your body properly you’re likely to crash – and that’s not fun for anyone.
To make sure you have a great hike, it’s important to pack plenty of healthy snacks that will give you sustained energy and are convenient to pack. You should take items such as beef jerky, fruit, nuts and whole grain bars, and avoid eating processed foods or sugary snacks that will only make you feel tired and sluggish. Here are six convenient snacking tips that will help keep you fueled up and energised for your next hike.
1. Pack Plenty of Snacks
This may seem like an obvious one, but it’s important to make sure you have enough snacks to last you the entire hike. It’s always better to have too many snacks than not enough, as you don’t want to be caught in the middle of a hike with no food.
To pack as many snacks as possible you should allocate enough room in your hiking pack for food and choose snacks that are space-saving. This means finding calorie-dense foods that offer the most nutrients in small packages. These include things like peanut butter or beef jerky, just make sure you look for the best beef jerky quality available as some can be loaded with additives and sodium.
2. Choose Healthy Snacks
When selecting your snacks, it’s important to choose ones that will give you sustained energy throughout the hike. Avoid sugary snacks or processed foods as they will only make you feel tired and sluggish. Stick to healthy options such as beef jerky, fruit, nuts and whole grain bars.
Beef jerky is a great option as it’s high in protein and low in fat. It’s also lightweight and easy to transport, making it the perfect snack for hiking. If you’re looking for something sweeter, fruit is always a good choice. Dried fruits are especially convenient as they don’t weigh much and won’t go bad in your pack. Nuts and whole grain bars are also excellent choices as they provide complex carbohydrates that will give you long-lasting energy.
3. Eat Regularly
It’s important to snack regularly throughout your hike in order to keep your energy levels up. If you wait too long between snacks, you’re likely to run out of energy. It can be very easy to forget about snacking while in the middle of hiking and by the time you reach for your food you may already be low on energy.
To help with this it is important to make your food accessible and within reach in your backpack. Planning your meals and snacks throughout the day can also help you keep a consistent eating pattern. If you follow these tips you'll feel better and have more energy throughout your hike.
4. Drink Plenty of Water
In addition to snacking, it’s important to stay hydrated throughout your hike. Be sure to pack enough water for the entire hike, and drink frequently even if you’re not thirsty. It’s easy to get dehydrated when hiking, especially in hot weather, and this can lead to fatigue and muscle cramps.
If you find yourself running out of water, there are some ways to conserve what you have. Avoid drinking caffeinated beverages as they will only make you more dehydrated. And if possible, try to hike in cooler weather as this will help you avoid sweating too much. Lastly, taking portable water filters can be a great precaution for an emergency situation.
5. Take a Break
When you start to feel tired, take a break and have a snack. It’s important to listen to your body and rest when you need to. Trying to push through when you’re exhausted will only make the hike harder.
If you find yourself getting tired, find a comfortable spot to sit and have a snack and some water. Once you’ve had a chance to rest, you can continue on with your hike.
6. Enjoy the Hike
Last but not least, remember to enjoy the hike! Take in the scenery and savour the experience. Snacking is just one part of hiking, so don’t let it stress you out. As long as you have plenty of snacks and stay hydrated, you’ll be sure to have a great time.
Photo by photo nic on Unsplash
Posted By JenniferA
Updated : 31st October 2022 | Words : 752 | Views : 273
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