Trail Food

So you’re trudging up the 3,726m tall peak of Mt Rinjani. Your breathing is hurried, your heart is thumping against your chest bones, and your muscles are screaming for you to stop. But you chant the familiar phrase in your head, “Mind over body. Mind over the body…” The athlete in you says calm down, breathe, and push on. You can do it. And you will do it.

A good Rinjani trekking guide would, at this point, whip out a handful of dried fruits, nuts, a can of thirst quenching isotonic drink, or energy supplement.... Life saviours!

Or not. While some would love to munch on handful of almonds, others can’t fathom the thought of pushing a dry nut down their throat while the body is yearning for more water.

Each person has their own preferences, and it’s important to prepare your own preferred treat, so that you have enough fuel to push yourself on to achieve your goals and perhaps distract yourself from bodily pains. For a moment.

TRAIL MIX

Making your own Trail Mix is easy and often healthier than buying a pre-mixed pack.

Here are some items commonly found in a trail mix, which you can mix and match to suit your taste buds! 

1)  Nuts

Nuts are packed with healthy unsaturated fats, protein, fibre, antioxidants, vitamin E and other essential vitamins and minerals. While some are higher in protein or fat content, each type of nuts generally provides a similar amount of calories per gram. Here are essential nuts for your Mount Agung Trekking Trail Mix! Add in other nuts for good taste.

Almonds, Cashews, Pistachios are high in protein and low in fats. These are the healthiest nuts for that extra energy boost on your trail!

Peanuts to regulate water level in the body and prevent cramps

Macadamias to assist in muscle building and boost energy levels 

2) Dried Fruits

Dried fruits provide a sweet tasty relief and are a great source of fiber, antioxidants, calcium, and vitamins A, C, and K.

When selecting dried fruits, it’s healthier to select fruits that are naturally sweet like figs or dates. Fruits that are normally sourish and bland in taste like cranberries are artificially sweetened as dried fruits. So look at the packaging labels for artificial sugar and preservative content.

Here are some good fruits to add to your trail mix:

Figs are high in potassium, an electrolyte which is an important component of cell and body fluids that help regulate heart rate and blood pressure.

Dates are an excellent source of Iron and Copper that are essential in the creation of red blood cells (an essential component to combating Acute Mountain Sickness, also known as Altitude Sickness). They are also excellent sources of Potassium.

Raisins are the most common type of trail food and deservedly so, because they pack a whole lot of Carbohydrates for energy in a small pack. They are also rich in Iron and Potassium.

Apricots are high in carbohydrate and low in fat, and provide a good amount of Vitamin A, Fiber and Potassium.

Plums are packed with Carbohydrates and contain no Fat. They’re also a good source of Fiber and Potassium.

3)  Chocolates

Cacao – the basic component of chocolates, is rich in arginine, an amino acid that reduces inflammation in blood vessels to keep your blood flowing to your heart and muscles.

It also triggers the release of endorphins that keep you happy and thinking positive. That’ll help you combat the challenges ahead!

When adding chocolates into your trail mix, do look out for fat and sugar content. Dark chocolates that contain 70 - 85% cocoa are a healthier and superior option than milk chocolate.

4)  Pretzels

Pretzels are a great low-calorie carbohydrate treat that will help you replace the sodium you lose through sweating. 

READY MADE FOOD FOR THE TRIAL

Putting together your own trail mix may require one to purchase each type to fruit or nut in bulk, and may make more sense to be shared amongst a group of trekkers. Or perhaps you’re just too busy to put it all together.

There are some great ready-made products that are great for the trail, and these are some of our favorite!

 

1)  Clif Bars

Clif Bars are a favorite amongst outdoor adventurers! With flavours like Chocolate Brownie, Peanut Toffee Buzz, White Chocolate Macadamia Nut and Blueberry Crisp, you can imagine what a treat they are during the trails.

Made from 70% organic ingredients, including rolled oats, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, it’s healthy too!

Each bar contains around 250 calories and provides sustained energy over long periods with a mix of multiple carbohydrate sources, protein, fat and fiber that slows the rate of digestion and delivers energy over time.

You could also break up a bar into bite-sized pieces to be added into your trail mix.

2)  GU Energy Chews

GU Chews come in the form of a gummy that makes it easy and fun to consume along the trail. There are many flavours available like Salted Caramel Apple and Blueberry Pomegranate to cater to different taste buds.

GU Chews are designed to pack energy-dense calories to meet the energy demands of endurance activities. One packet of GU Chews contains 8 gummies, that will provide 90 calories in total  and other essential like:

ELECTROLYTES Maintain water balance and aid in optimum hydration.

CARBOHYDRATES Deliver ready-to-use energy and delay bonking by sparing glycogen.

AMINO ACIDS Reduce mental fatigue and decrease muscle damage.

CAFFEINE Enhances performance by increasing focus and concentration and decreasing perceived effort during exercise.

3)  Hammer Endurolytes
It very important to replenish electrolytes lost through perspiration.  So if you’re cramping, heed your body’s last warning, because a consistent supply of electrolytes such as sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium and phosphorous is required to keep your muscular, digestive, nervous and cardiac systems firing on all cylinders.

In short, you need it for your body to function properly.

There are some products in the market like Hammer Endurolytes provide a balanced, full-spectrum of electrolytes designed for rapid absorption by the body. You can find them in capsule, tablets and powder forms.