Whats on the Menu for a daily hike?
Before heading off on a hike or bushwalk that will take most of the day, its a good idea to start the day with a good solid breakfast. This will stand you in good stead for the first part of the day. For an overnight stay, have with you a high-energy cereal, muesli or instant oats and long-life or powered milk. This is your breakfast for day two. Remember, on a day or overnight hike, you have the advantage of being able to take perishable items.
A muesli bar and some dried fruit is a good suggestion, its light and easy to pack. Fresh fruit is also great but you probably don’t want to carry it all day as it will easily bruise or spoil. Also keep in mind you have to carry your rubbish with you, don’t leave food scraps or wrappers around.
Fruit juices are good for hot weather, if there’s time and you have the means a hot cup of coffee or tea is great in cold weather.
Lunch…
Sandwiches and rolls make a very convenient meal for day hikers. Instant soup or noodles for a warm pick-me-up in cold weather. If your budget allows you could bring for youselves some freeze-dried meals. These are easy to prepare, a complete meal, tasty and nutritious and have the added advantage of cooking in their own bag. If your trip involves an overnight stay then freeze-dried meals are probably worth the money for the high convenience factor.
Afternoon snacks…
When its time for your afternoon snack consider that you have probably been walking for around 5-6 hours. This meal should be used to top up your energy levels as its about now that you are feeling tied and your enthusiasm for the outdoors could be dropping. A coffee break with biscuits or cookies is a good pick-me-up. I’ve got to say may favourite is home cooked fruit cake! Then there are the energy bars and chocolate bars that will also refuel you for the last stretch.
Snacking along the way…
If you plan to snack along the way then go for snacks high in energy… saltanas, unsalted nuts, dried fruit, yoghurt bars and glucose rich sweets. Easy-to-eat friut like apples and bananas work well as snacks but as mentioned, you need to carry out your peels and scraps. Concentrated energy drinks can be added to water, they give an extra boost and replenish the minerals and salt lost due to perspiration.
Keep in mind foods need to be lightweight and easy to carry, fun to eat, won’t spoil to easily, tasty and above all… nutritious.
Hope these tips help you on your next bushwalk. Feel free to add your favourite snacks to my list and post them below.