Want to take a hike? The warm weather beckons. But before you pick up your backpack, do some planning.
Avoid the risk of having the day cut short because you're worn out or dehydrated.
Don't haul yourself home dizzy with hunger. Make sure the contents of your backpack are chosen for maximum energy, taste and nutrition.
What should go in that backpack to keep you fortified and long on stamina? Fruit, energy bars, and trail mix are the snacks recommended by Walkingandhiking.co.uk.
Apples and bananas will elevate your sugar levels, providing energy to hike.
Energy bars come in many forms. Energy bars from health food stores are reminiscent of good old-fashioned pemmican.
If you'd like something a little softer and kinder to your palate, you can find bars with fruit, or chocolate. Keep in mind, though, that the sweeter the bar, the less healthy it is. Better options fall somewhere between the pemmican type of bar, and the candy type.
Trail mix or granola are combinations of carbohydrates and protein. You can make your own or buy it ready-made.
Both trail mix and granola are very filling, so you don't need much at a time. Dried fruit, nuts and cereals are the basic type of ingredients in each of these snacks.
Ehow.com recommends sandwiches with bagels, pita and tortillas. Contents like peanut butter and honey are basic but tasty, nutritious and filling.
Also recommended are fruits like oranges, grapes and apples. Vegetables like celery and carrots are also good choices.
Beef jerky may strike you as being too much like pemmican but give it a try, you may find that you like it. It's a good source of protein.
Plenty of water is a must to stay hydrated. If you'd like a change of pace, bring along some mixes like lemonade, tea or hot chocolate.
If you have problems with gluten, Chatelaine.com suggests cereals made from amaranth, rice or soy may fill the bill. Gluten-free energy bars are a good idea. Rice crackers can also be found without gluten.
Yogurt with or without fruit provides staying power. Gluten-free beverages that are meal-replacement drinks are available, easy to drink, and easy to digest.
Now that your backpack is filled with food and drink, you are ready to hoist it onto your shoulders as you head out the door. So take a slug from your thermos and a bite of your energy bar and hit the trail.
Sources:
The Best Hiking Snacks. Walkingandhiking.co.uk.
http://www.walkingandhiking.co.uk/best-hiking-snacks.html
How to Pack Backpack Snacks. Ehow.com.
http://www.ehow.com/how_4393262_pack-backpack-snacks.html
Gluten-free pre-walk snacks. Chatelaine.com.
http://www.chatelaine.com/en/article/2643--gluten-free-pre-walk-snacks
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