Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more
General => General Chat => Topic started by: RedLeader on August 13, 2010
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I still haven't found a selection of food I like to take hiking which is
a) Low maintenance
b) Decent calories
c) Warm
d) Bloody nice to eat
When you're on a peak with limited water, cleaning pots can be a wasteful pain but I don't particluarly like the MRE meals.
I read this in Ronald Turnbulls Book of the Bivvy:The intensively researched, marketed and packed sports energy bar really does have almost as many calories as the same weight of custard creams.
He goes on to say that it doesn't really matter what you eat and that food in general has roughly 4cals per gram and therefore you are basically better eating food you enjoy than food you think is high energy/good for you.
On top of that he also said he didn't rate guzzling chocolate to keep energy levels up as it gives a sugar rush followed by a dip straight after.
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I find 2 gammon steaks do the trick for me .. You can fry easily and eat with anything either for your tea or for breakfast .. Think it has everything in it you need to keep you going also benefits from being able to eat it cold after cooked and all important it comes vacuum packed to keep weight down :-)
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...you are basically better eating food you enjoy..
Def. agree.
The microwave rice and meal for one curry/bolognese/chilli pouch are still a winner with me. Boil them in hot water (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcrobert/4632315901/in/set-72157624120317708/) (use the hot water at the end for your tea/coffee/hot chocolate) then if you really don't want to dirty/bring along another pot, just pour a bit of the sauce at a time into the rice pouch, eat and repeat. (Dolmio Express 170g: 150 cal - Uncle Ben's express rice 250g: 184 cal. The sause is high in salt..but I reacon you have been sweating all day so an extra boost of salt would do no harm)
For breakfast, I'm with Andy: Pig is good :) I've started using breakfast rashers (basicly thin cut spam type stuff), cut them in half cook them up for 5 mins (I've used a little water rather than oil and have not come down with anything - yet), hardly any grease comes out of them so your pot's clean-ish, chuck them into a bap, along with a couple of sachets of brown or red and eat while you cook the other half of the pack.
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Well - carbs and protein are about 4 calories / gram, fat is about 9 calories / gram which makes it more efficient to carry - although this only really comes into play over multiple days as the average man has enough fat reserves to run over 40 miles.
The main difference with a lot of the dehydrated stuff is that the (quite large) amount of water is removed - this has benefits if you are cooking where there is a supply of water, but for a summit camp where you need to carry the water anyway, it may as well be in the food and resemble something tastier and more natural!
Any high carb meal will give a blood sugar dip - sweet stuff it is more sudden, but a load of bread or pasta will drag you down too... so go easy on lunch. Kendal mint cake is the worst, chocolate is a bit better, but mixing it up (like a fruit and nut bar) gives slower release from the nuts and butter and a mix of sugars from the choc and raisins (beware - dried fruit is really concentrated sugar). Custard creams - again a mix of sugars and slower release starches.
The more intense the exercise the more your body will burn carbs as the energy is available quicker than with fat. Typical hiking though should be ideally in the fat-burning zone, with the heart rate only soaring on the steep uphills or lugging a huge pack. With some training your body can still be mostly fat-burning up to 75% Max Heart Rate.
What to eat on the hill? Take the above into account, and what you'll enjoy. What we eat normally isn't really that varied - it's just finding the best way to put that together in the wild.
------ Now for the science bit ----------------------------------------------------------
The carb usage/storage system is quite complicated:
The body stores about 200g of carbs as glygogen in the muscles and liver. There is always a small amount of glucose in the blood stream but it is quite critical - hence, if not burned immediately when absorbed from the gut the insulin is released to trigger glucose storage. If our glygogen stores are full, it is turned into triglycerides and goes to adipose fat tissue.
As we eat a lot of carbohydrates, a lot of insulin is triggered - after so long eating like this the receptors on our muscles get desensitised to the insulin and other blood hormones, so when we use up the glucose in our blood, they don't realise to release some of the stores, and instead we get hungry for carby snacks... only a small amount of which is used, the rest having to quickly be stored as fat.
Then when we do some sustained "intense" effort (not normally) our muscles use up their stores of glycogen, and even eating a sugary snack may not help at this point because the drain/top-up system of the muscles is underused/developed and they are unable to take advantage of the blood sugar. The body may start breaking down the muscle protein to make glucose.
--------------- End science bit -----------------------------------------
I do love cake and pizza, but I try to keep my carb intake around 150g/day unless I'm doing some major exercise. Eggs, meat, cheese, lard, lots of veg, some fruit and a few biscuits are my main daily fair. I've never felt better and frequently end up going without food for 16+ hours no bother (inc. cycling all round town). Primal / crossfit-style for me, all the way :)
Per day, I want 100g protein (spread out due to limited absorption rate), 150g carbs, 200g fat - that's all the protein I can use, enough carbs to replenish reserves and enough fat to top me up to 2800 calories over all. More carbs and fat for big days.
Although I'll prob use some for the mountain marathon, I have to laugh at those Mountain House meals - the most calorific I could find, for 2 people, only 1300 calories!!! Guess I'll be having 3 guests.
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Crap -sorry, I get carried away. Short version.
Frankfurters, cheese, malt loaf, nuts.
Like cold food, like boil food, or get a stainless pot - a handfull of grit, grass, heather, snow cleans it up with no water. Sterilise with alco wipe or over flame.
8) 3 lines, much better effort.
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You know, I read the first one and thought Thats really interesting, but hold on - he didn't answer the damn question ;)
Crap -sorry, I get carried away. Short version.
Frankfurters, cheese, malt loaf, nuts.
Like cold food, like boil food, or get a stainless pot - a handfull of grit, grass, heather, snow cleans it up with no water. Sterilise with alco wipe or over flame.
8) 3 lines, much better effort.
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cheese, smoked meat, cous cous and some nuts........oh and never forget the Buckie ;D
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Tried Cous Cous at a family party. Had to wait till no-one was looking then empty it into a flower pot. I'd rather eat Mournes heather ;)
cheese, smoked meat, cous cous and some nuts........oh and never forget the Buckie ;D
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Tried Cous Cous at a family party. Had to wait till no-one was looking then empty it into a flower pot. I'd rather eat Mournes heather ;)
cheese, smoked meat, cous cous and some nuts........oh and never forget the Buckie ;D
now thats would be UL cookery ;)
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Flip sake, all this high tech bumf about carbs and stuff is just bewildering, and frankly, I couldn't give a stuff. I take what I want to, which is usually home made. Stuff like corned beef hash, mince stew, beef in ale etc. It's made up at home, vac packed, frozen and then heated when I'm out. I'm really not that bothered by trying to save the last ounce or two. You're only going up the Mournes. It's not like it's Everest or even the Alps.
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Flip sake, all this high tech bumf about carbs and stuff is just bewildering, and frankly, I couldn't give a stuff. I take what I want to, which is usually home made. Stuff like corned beef hash, mince stew, beef in ale etc. It's made up at home, vac packed, frozen and then heated when I'm out. I'm really not that bothered by trying to save the last ounce or two. You're only going up the Mournes. It's not like it's Everest or even the Alps.
True but you have to make the most of whats available. We can't all be as "hardcore"as the NIBA ;)
http://www.bushcraftni.com/bushcraftni.com/Blog/Entries/2010/1/8_Return_to_the_Cabin_in_the_Woods.html
(http://www.bushcraftni.com/bushcraftni.com/Blog/Entries/2010/1/8_Return_to_the_Cabin_in_the_Woods_files/DSC_0038.jpg)
;)
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now, back to j's dinner.
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i always chuck a few bananas in the rucksack, nice green ones ;) (usually yellow by end of a hot summer day) i've no idea how much carbs, protein, fat or even alcohol ::) is in them but they seem to keep me going and i've heard they release energy slowly, is this true? apparently the unripe ones also slow the auld bowels down too 8)
a little question to add to J's, what do you bring to drink? (non-alcoholic!!) is water the best or do these energy drinks have any real benefit, i.e. would a red bull shot get you up that final bit of Slieve Donard quicker?
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For the trips that we do you don't need to bother worrying about calories, energy intake etc. Just go with a light lunch you can eat on the move, something hot for dinner and the likes of porridge or similar for brekkie. O
If you want light weight then you'll have to accept a taste downgrade, If not then get ready for that little extra weight.
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Flip sake, all this high tech bumf about carbs and stuff is just bewildering, and frankly, I couldn't give a stuff. I take what I want to, which is usually home made. Stuff like corned beef hash, mince stew, beef in ale etc. It's made up at home, vac packed, frozen and then heated when I'm out. I'm really not that bothered by trying to save the last ounce or two. You're only going up the Mournes. It's not like it's Everest or even the Alps.
True but you have to make the most of whats available. We can't all be as "hardcore"as the NIBA ;)
;)
Remember mate if you can see your car... You ain't outside!!
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i always chuck a few bananas in the rucksack, nice green ones ;) (usually yellow by end of a hot summer day) i've no idea how much carbs, protein, fat or even alcohol ::) is in them but they seem to keep me going and i've heard they release energy slowly, is this true? apparently the unripe ones also slow the auld bowels down too 8)
a little question to add to J's, what do you bring to drink? (non-alcoholic!!) is water the best or do these energy drinks have any real benefit, i.e. would a red bull shot get you up that final bit of Slieve Donard quicker?
You can buy tablets to replace electrolytes faster but a tea spoon full of sugar and a pinch of salt in a litre bottle does the same job. Energy gels/ Liquids are good in theory but usually if you look closely once you consume the first one you have to use them quite frequently to reap any benefit, one well known gel states you need to eating 4 and hour! You need to drink a pint of water with each one.
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Flip sake, all this high tech bumf about carbs and stuff is just bewildering, and frankly, I couldn't give a stuff. I take what I want to, which is usually home made. Stuff like corned beef hash, mince stew, beef in ale etc. It's made up at home, vac packed, frozen and then heated when I'm out. I'm really not that bothered by trying to save the last ounce or two. You're only going up the Mournes. It's not like it's Everest or even the Alps.
True but you have to make the most of whats available. We can't all be as "hardcore"as the NIBA ;)
;)
Remember mate if you can see your car... You ain't outside!!
LOL
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Flip sake, all this high tech bumf about carbs and stuff is just bewildering, and frankly, I couldn't give a stuff. I take what I want to, which is usually home made. Stuff like corned beef hash, mince stew, beef in ale etc. It's made up at home, vac packed, frozen and then heated when I'm out. I'm really not that bothered by trying to save the last ounce or two. You're only going up the Mournes. It's not like it's Everest or even the Alps.
True but you have to make the most of whats available. We can't all be as "hardcore"as the NIBA ;)
http://www.bushcraftni.com/bushcraftni.com/Blog/Entries/2010/1/8_Return_to_the_Cabin_in_the_Woods.html
(http://www.bushcraftni.com/bushcraftni.com/Blog/Entries/2010/1/8_Return_to_the_Cabin_in_the_Woods_files/DSC_0038.jpg)
;)
It's only as hard core as you choose to make it. Any fool can rough it. It takes some thought to make yourself comfortable. Given the choice between some dehydrated powdery stuff from a factory and some home made proper food..................well, I guess if you're on a expedition to the top of Slieve Donnard and your sherpas can only carry about 55 kilos each then the dehydrated stuff might be useful........
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee291/garyminiss/022-2-1.jpg)
Is this a bit more hard core?
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee291/garyminiss/023-3.jpg)
Or this
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee291/garyminiss/020-3.jpg)
Now this is proper food
(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee291/garyminiss/015-2.jpg)
Or mayby this?
Only winding you lightweight mountain goats up by the way.... You wouldn't catch me trudging up a mountain just for the fun of it, with any kind of food. Much happier in the woods where I can eat normally.
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i always chuck a few bananas in the rucksack, nice green ones ;) (usually yellow by end of a hot summer day) i've no idea how much carbs, protein, fat or even alcohol ::) is in them but they seem to keep me going and i've heard they release energy slowly, is this true? apparently the unripe ones also slow the auld bowels down too 8)
a little question to add to J's, what do you bring to drink? (non-alcoholic!!) is water the best or do these energy drinks have any real benefit, i.e. would a red bull shot get you up that final bit of Slieve Donard quicker?
You can buy tablets to replace electrolytes faster but a tea spoon full of sugar and a pinch of salt in a litre bottle does the same job. Energy gels/ Liquids are good in theory but usually if you look closely once you consume the first one you have to use them quite frequently to reap any benefit, one well known gel states you need to eating 4 and hour! You need to drink a pint of water with each one.
Makes you wonder how anyone managed to climb mountains in the olden days.
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(http://i232.photobucket.com/albums/ee291/garyminiss/022-2-1.jpg)
Is this a bit more hard core?
No.
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Only joking mate!
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Makes you wonder how anyone managed to climb mountains in the olden days.
Little mountains - same as us (with a snack in a pocket); big mountains - slowly, unsuccessfully or with a lot of help :D
I know the science is irrelevent for most people, but sure, it's there for anyone who is interested. It matters to me because I felt like crap for years eating the standard fare and, as I have a very active lifestyle (and want to climb a Gasherbrum someday).... need all the help I can get ;)
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Flip sake, all this high tech bumf about carbs and stuff is just bewildering, and frankly, I couldn't give a stuff. I take what I want to, which is usually home made. Stuff like corned beef hash, mince stew, beef in ale etc. It's made up at home, vac packed, frozen and then heated when I'm out. I'm really not that bothered by trying to save the last ounce or two. You're only going up the Mournes. It's not like it's Everest or even the Alps.
True but you have to make the most of whats available. We can't all be as "hardcore"as the NIBA ;)
Just to clarify that this isnt the opinion of the NIBA as a collective its just the opinion of one person. The NIBA has never considered itself to be a hardcore survival association nor does it want to be considered as such. I myself do understand the need for high calorie nutritious foods when taking part in events which recognise that time is a precious commodity and eating on the move a priority hence taste is sometimes substituted to keep the body correctly fed. I myself have taken part in endurance events in the past and have relied on such foods. I do understand that this thread was started with a serious question and a bit of ribbing has taken place but i felt i needed to clarify our position as the leader of the Association in case some of you reading it who have never met me take the comments made as a dig from the NIBA.
regards
Paul
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Flip sake, all this high tech bumf about carbs and stuff is just bewildering, and frankly, I couldn't give a stuff. I take what I want to, which is usually home made. Stuff like corned beef hash, mince stew, beef in ale etc. It's made up at home, vac packed, frozen and then heated when I'm out. I'm really not that bothered by trying to save the last ounce or two. You're only going up the Mournes. It's not like it's Everest or even the Alps.
True but you have to make the most of whats available. We can't all be as "hardcore"as the NIBA ;)
Just to clarify that this isnt the opinion of the NIBA as a collective its just the opinion of one person. The NIBA has never considered itself to be a hardcore survival association nor does it want to be considered as such. I myself do understand the need for high calorie nutritious foods when taking part in events which recognise that time is a precious commodity and eating on the move a priority hence taste is sometimes substituted to keep the body correctly fed. I myself have taken part in endurance events in the past and have relied on such foods. I do understand that this thread was started with a serious question and a bit of ribbing has taken place but i felt i needed to clarify our position as the leader of the Association in case some of you reading it who have never met me take the comments made as a dig from the NIBA.
regards
Paul
Wowwwww. Slow down Paul. You are getting a bit carried away.
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Its a just a bit of friendly banter. We're all friends on here :)
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Yep :D
Its a just a bit of friendly banter. We're all friends on here :)
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Its a just a bit of friendly banter. We're all friends on here :)
we sure are
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Group hug. ;D
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This thread went horribly, horribly wrong ;) :o
Group hug. ;D
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Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays ;D (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChfIyHZqEd8)
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Not at all. We just started off talking about camping food and ended up in a camp huddle ;)
Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays ;D (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChfIyHZqEd8)
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hi guys sorry I missed all the craic.
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anyhow, back to the question....
think I'm going to give the whole Frankfurters thing (perhaps with tortea (sp) wraps) a go for dinner..
Cous Cous is kinda up there with rice, you wouldn't eat it on it's own, but mix it in with a good sauce and it's top.
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What about this fella:
http://www.ni-wild.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=1346