If you knew there was something that, if done right, would be a major factor in your success or failure, would you do it? Your meal needs to be about more than just calories; It should include good, proper nutrition to provide the fuel your body needs to endure what you will want it to do. Nutrition is science, follow the science.
Legal warning:
I am trained and trained as a chef, I have degrees and diplomas in Culinary Arts and Professional Baking and Pastry, and I am finishing a diploma in Holistic Nutrition at the Escoffier School of Culinary Arts. As part of my experience, I will spend 6 weeks of my total time hiking, primarily vegan, to document physical and mental changes, body measurements, dietary adjustments, and many other measurements. This will be done under the supervision of a Dietitian.
I’ve spent the last 3.5 years researching these issues. The way I buy and consume is nutritionally healthy, and we all make our own choices with free will. As for the products mentioned, I did not receive any compensation due to my personal recommendations and choices. I don’t refuse free stuff. Just saying…
Have you ever wondered how many diseases or other problems that cause a hiker to quit are caused by poor nutrition? Food for thought, no pun intended. During my Holistic Nutrition and Health training I found a great tool to analyze and adjust my diet: My Fitness Pal https://www.myfitnesspal.com. You can sign up for a free account, and there are tools available to help you achieve your overall health goals. There is a section where you can enter the foods you consume, and their database provides options, quantities, types, and brands for your input. A report can be generated showing calories, percentages, and deficiencies. Combined with intermittent fasting and strength-building exercises, I prepared for the walk by using this tool to lose 20 pounds of fat and gain 25 pounds of muscle. My Plate https://www.myplate.gov, a USDA website, provides guidelines for healthy dietary choices.
I recommend making a shopping list for your replenishment efforts. This is true! You should have a list on hand before your replenishment so that your needs are met before your wants. Nourish your body right and it will carry you more effectively down the road!
My Lunch Bag
I pack my food bag based on daily calorie intake and total nutrition, not meals and snacks. A 72-hour bag will contain ~12,000 calories with a balance of protein, carbohydrates, sugar, fat, micro and macronutrients, and any necessary supplements. Knowing that I might not want to break out the Jetboil for a hot drink while hiking, my purchases are mostly prepared foods and stovetop meals are secondary. Even though I am an omnivore, my diet is plant-based and consists of grains, seeds, nuts, fruits and vegetables. The target is about 130 calories per ounce. In my daily life, I rarely sit down to a multi-course meal, so eating small portions frequently is part of my norm.
My Product List
I carry Honey Stinger products, Greenbelly Meals, Range Meal Bars, Sans Meal Bars, ProBar Meals, BoBo’s snacks, Nature’s Bakery Bars, peanut butter squeeze packs, LMNT and Liquid IV electrolyte packs, and a variety of granolas, bars, and fruit and nut mixes. These items provide me with over 4,000 calories before meal prep. I plan to purchase a backpacker meal every three days. Again, personal preference. Quality food is expensive compared to “junk food” food. To reduce financial difficulties, I started my shopping 3 months in advance, paying attention to the shelf life. I also search for discount offers, finding online discounts of up to 30% on more expensive items. I wasn’t born with a Titanium Spoon in my mouth, my budget, my budget, my budget. Products from my own recipes for make-ahead hot meals can be purchased at most grocery stores along the way.
Mud and Other Goodies
Normally, if I have a hot breakfast, I start the day with “The Sludge 1600”. My recipe consists of instant oats, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, raisins, dried banana chips, Ka’Chava Protein Powder and peanut butter powder. The mud is 1600 calories and I divide it into two portions, one for early mornings and one for Elevens in a small plastic container so I don’t blast my kidneys with 62 grams of protein at once. Another creation consists of Jasmine rice or buckwheat Soba noodles, plant-based Korean BBQ, and shelf-stable Kimchi. These types of meals are light enough to help you sleep and contain probiotics to help your digestion. The various ramen bombs, stuffing and potato dishes, tamale pies, champurrado and others in my repertoire will be pre-packaged at home to ship or assembled after a supply run. While I’m in town, I’ll make sure I have green juice, yogurt and other probiotic foods, fresh fruits and vegetables, and anything else my body needs. This is how I eat daily at home, except using smaller portions of each to regulate calories.
final thoughts
Eat healthy and be healthy! Occasional feelings of guilt are positive. Peanut M&Ms do not have a “Sharing Size” bag… Mine. It’s all mine!
See you on the far side! 
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