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Knowledge Base

Knowledge Base

Fitness & Nutrition

Hiking Provisions & Outdoor Nutrition

What happens if we don't add fuel to our cars? They stop working right? The same goes for our bodies. The provisions you decide to take with you will largely depend on your own preferences, the duration of the hike, and the ability to replenish your supplies along the way. If you plan properly you can prevent serious nutrition problems that can cause our bodies to crash. Let's review all the aspects of good hiking nutrition.

Selecting Your Foods

The trip you are taking plays the major role when deciding what foods to pack. On a shorter day hike you can pretty much take what you want. You're not going far and weight isn't so much of a problem. However, if you are heading out on a multi-day trip weight and backpack space become the issue. If you choose carefully and make informed decisions it is possible to pack everything you need without overloading yourself.

Here are some tips to bear in mind when selecting your foods:

  • Dried and dehydrated foods Since most of the water has been removed the food is lightweight and the packets are flat for easy packing. What's more, the nutritional value is mostly preserved. All you have to do is add water so you must plan ahead for that.
  • Canned foods Much heavier to carry but again, need little preparation. Soups and baked beans can be emptied into a pan and heated up. That's it.
  • Variety is key There is no food out there that covers all your nutritional needs so you must try and bring as much variety as possible. You are putting your body through a lot more stress than usual so bringing foods with the correct nutritional values is so important.

Plan Your Meals

Planning your food and fluid intake is crucial, otherwise, you may not have enough to last for the duration of your hike. It's easy to overeat on the first day leaving you with less food than required for the subsequent day(s). Planning your meals ahead will help to avoid this dilemma. Here are some tips for planning your meals:

  • Do not count on finding somewhere to replenish your food. There are no 7-Eleven's in the wilderness and unless you are hiking between villages it is unlikely you will come cross provisions. Take everything you need and nothing less.
  • Separate your meals into daily rations and stick to it. Package them separately so as not to accidentally overeat on the first day.
  • Keep emergency rations away from your regular food. You will need these should something go wrong on your trip and you have to stay out there longer than anticipated. Label your food so no mistakes are made.

Drink Plenty of Water

We're told to drink at least 8 glasses of water per day. Some of us do but most of us don't. Drinking water is paramount to our survival and no more so when we're hiking.

  • As a bare minimum you should plan for 2 litres of water consumption each day. Take this amount with you even if you know you can get more en route.
  • 2 litres is a minimum. 1 litre for every two hours is a good guideline.
  • During periods of warmer weather the amount of required fluids will increase.
  • Higher intensity hikes will also require a higher intake of fluids.
  • If you are staying out overnight plan extra water for washing, cooking and rinsing utensils.
  • If you are using a hydration pack or water bladder make sure you check it regularly. These devices make it easy to take on water while hiking but you have no real way of knowing how much is left without physically looking.
  • Bring some form of water purification. If you loose your water due to burst hydration packs etc. you need to be able to get more. If you don't have anything to purify water make sure you boil it for at least 10 minutes before consumption.

At the end of the day, if you plan your meals properly and make sure you are carrying enough fluids you will have an enjoyable trip without having to worry about nutrition.

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