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Calgary, alberta
Canada
670 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2005 : 12:02 PM
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I'm putting together a menu for my trip on the JdF in August. I want to keep my pack light, so want to bring just enough food for the trip.
So my question is:
How many calories are enough? For example, Beef Jerky has apx 410Cals / 100grams. Dried Apricots have 241Cals/100g. So you see I am a little anal and research is my middle name....... I do also want to ensure I have balance to my diet, don't want to be bunged up on the trail!
is 2500 Calories per day enough or too much????
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Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you! |
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Mountain Grammar Police
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 Sardonic sandbagging scoundrel, Cascade Climbers lobotomized spraymeister, space blanket flyer, new millennium vulgarian betaboy and friend to all squids
Climbing, a mountain
Canada
∞ Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2005 : 12:12 PM
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| When putting in long days, 12hrs plus, carrying a pack, realistically you will burn through a LOT more than 2,500 calories. More like 5,000/day in my case. |
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331 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2005 : 4:37 PM
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My theory about trail food (based on over 4000 km hiking).
A trip that is less than say 2 weeks should be fine with only 2500-3000 calories because you still have a lot of fat reserves that your body can use. It takes me a least 2 or 3, sometimes even 4 weeks for the serious hiker hunger to hit.
So think about the amount of food you'd eat for breaky/lunch/dinner, bring that normal amount plus a snack for every couple hours you're hiking and a bedtime treat. That't how I plan shorter trips.
For the JDF...I'm assuming it's less than a week, a balanced diet should not be a big concern if you eat healthy before and after your trip. It's the crazy long trips that have to be worried about nutrition.
Some of my suggestions for getting the calories in, but not carrying too much weight:
Olive oil, add it to everything
Ramen noodles, very light, put some peanut butter on it and eat it raw. Very tasty.
In fact, put peanut butter on everything, pop-tarts, chocolate bars, bagels, worked for me.
If you like potato chips, now is the time to eat them. They weigh practically nothing but pack a lot of calories.
So the short answer to your question would be: I don't know if 2500 is enough because I don't know how big you are and how much your normally eat. Probably do what you normally eat and then add about 1000 calories/day and don't worry too much about nutrition.
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http://www.jackielbolen.blogspot.com/ |
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ass wigglin, cheese lovin, 4x4 drivin, apostrophe hatin, hiking chick who loves camping on snow
spaceship..
Canada
7209 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2005 : 4:55 PM
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Bernbaby - have a look in backcountry recipes - there's lots of great ideas in there.
Can't help you out with how many calories you need, but on average I know around 2,500 is what most people can eat to maintain their weight (based on what I was told by a nutritionist a few years ago)
Therefore, unless you plan on losing weight on your trip you'll probably need a few more calories.
I lost a few pounds on the west coast trail, (not that Im complaining ) despite eating what I thought was a lot of food.
I wouldn't go with junk food, not on the trail, that is empty calories and won't give you the energy you need for your exercise.
As a lesson I know of a group of teenagers (trip was organised through thier school) that were led, allowing them to bring the food of their choice. Course junk food was the main menu, of which they all regretted when the energy was not there.
Have fun on your trip, and don't forget to tell us all about it when you return  |
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Calgary, alberta
Canada
670 Posts |
Posted - 07/29/2005 : 08:52 AM
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Thanks all for your recommendations!!
I will bring about 2500 calories per full day and have a great big steak when I reach the nearest restaurant!
I'll post my trail report when I get back home!
bb
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Red meat is NOT bad for you. Now blue-green meat, THAT'S bad for you! |
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Calories on the trail....
