Energy Packed Trail Snacks

Staying properly fueled while you’re out on a bike ride or a long hike can be a difficult task, given the limited space, warm temperatures, and jolting movements. Make sure you’ve got more than just the essential comfortable hiking shoes, perfect backpack, and breathable outerwear. Below I’ve selected five foods that are excellent for any adventure, but first, there are a few rules.

Each of these food items has to be packaged or pack-able. This is for when you are on the move, and things are jostling around in your pack. Your snacks should stay in good condition!

The other qualifier is that it must be able to handle room temperature and/or warm temperatures. Unfortunately, that means no chocolate. I once brought a candy bar on a long bike trip in the middle of July… never again.

Lastly, we won’t be discussing pre-made energy-, protein- or food-bars. There are some excellent options out there for that, but for practicality’s sake, we’ll talk about things that you might find lying around in your pantry or kitchen cabinets.

Mixed Nuts and Seeds

Mixed nuts and seeds are absolutely perfect for the trail head. One thing that is important to remember is that calories are a good thing when you’re out on the move, and mixed nuts are loaded with them. Peanuts, almonds, walnuts and other nuts all have slightly different caloric contents and nutrients, but all of them are healthy and energy-packed. They contain much-needed potassium, B-vitamins and electrolytes to ensure you’re properly fueled. Nuts also have a lot of protein in them, which is important for feeling full for a longer part of the day. And since they are small, they won’t make you feel bloated.

Granola/Muesli

Along with being incredibly delicious, granola and muesli are great for hiking or biking. Granola and muesli are made from whole grains, roasted or otherwise, that are packed with nutrients that are important for keeping your energy up. Carbohydrates provide the quick-burning energy you need, and whole grains have a surprising amount of protein in them, to keep you feeling full throughout the day. B-vitamins and Iron round off a healthy and filling snack. You want to be careful with the sugar content of both of these, however, and watch out for chocolate. The chocolate can melt when you’re on the move, rendering the snack more difficult to eat on the go.

Peanut Butter and Crackers

Peanut butter and crackers let you get the best of both the nut nutrition and whole grain nutrition. Peanut butter is packed with protein and nutrients, which can be paired with whole grain crackers for added vitamins, fiber, and carbohydrates. This is a great snack that is easy to take with you, and, when stored in a Tupperware container, should stay in good shape. The only drawback is that it can be somewhat thirst-provoking, so make sure you’ve got some water on hand!

Beef Jerky

Beef Jerky is one of the best snacks you can take with you on the trail. Not only is jerky delicious, but it’s also jam-packed with nutrients and energy. It has a ton of protein that will help you feel full throughout the day, and help your muscles recover between jaunts. It is also relatively low-fat, so you don’t need to worry about feeling sluggish as the day wears on. If your jerky is made from grass-fed beef, that’s even better, as it can increase omega-3 fat content.

Beyond the health benefits, jerky is super durable and great for travel. It won’t be damaged as the weather gets warmer and can be tossed about in your pack and won’t break like crackers might. Be careful to avoid jerky’s marinated in honey or barbecue sauce, as this can increase unhealthy fat content and make you feel slow. But if you’re not a beef person, you can easily find turkey or pork jerky almost anywhere beef jerky is sold.

Dried Fruit

One of the best things about dried fruit is that there is a ton of variety you can choose from, and they are all pretty good for you. Craisins, raisins, mango, strawberries, bananas and pretty much every other fruit can be dried, and they all taste delicious. Sometimes the last thing you want after a couple hours of hiking and biking is something salty. Dried fruits provide a sweet alternative. They have a high sugar content that will give you a quick boost of energy, so you can resume your adventure right away. They are packed with fiber, to promote digestive health and much-needed antioxidants. Dried fruits also contain very little fat, so you don’t have to worry about feeling sluggish later on.

Ideally, you can create any combination you want out of these five options. Personally, I love to take a cup of beef jerky and raisins or craisins respectively. These two items can be tossed around quite a bit and aren’t too affected by heat. If the weather is colder, it may be better to go with nuts and granola, cold jerky can wreak havoc on your teeth.

Harris P.