Hiking in the catskills....Food??

JenFerguson1

Hello!
My husband and I are hiking the tallest mountain in the Catskills this week. Neither of us have hiked before so I'm excited/nervous. I'm not sure what to expect. I know we will be hiking a good portion of the day so I was wondering what to bring for food to keep my energy up. I hear things like trail mix is good to snack on while hiking but I'd feel so guilty eating that since its SO good and SO high in calories. Before Myfitnesspal, I ate so much trail mix until I realized how high the calories and fats were. I cant eat that type of thing in moderation! Just like peanut butter! Anyway, i'd love some good hiking tips and food ideas:)

aallison85

You burn a ton of calories while hiking if the trail is steep. Trail mix is just fine. I like to pack an apple and maybe some grapes too. You will want to pack quite a bit of food if you are hiking all day. Meal bars that are high in protein are also good because they keep you full longer while hiking. You find that no matter what you pack, you will think it all tastes amazing when you break for food. Also, make sure to bring plenty of water.

Enjoy!

lildevil968

I hike almost every weekend. As the PP stated you will burn a ton of calories, so I really wouldn't worry about the food you bring unless it is a trail with no elevation gain. When we do day hikes we usually bring sandwhiches, grapes, apples, trail mix, carrots, and usually some oranges. Make sure to bring a change of clothes as well because the weather can turn at any moment, and also lots of sunscreen. Oh and drink lots of water, have fun, and enjoy all the beauty that Nature has to offer!!!

robpett2001

How long of a hike are we talking -- I'm assuming it's several hours. A good sturdy hike is the time that ya USE those calories, so don't fret about trail mix, this is the perfect time to have it...on the trail. You'll need those calories. Be sure to take plenty of water, too. Some other things I like to take: sandwiches for a lunch (and yes, peanut butter sandwiches would be a good option); banana chips; apples or oranges.

Have a great time! It will be BEAUTIFUL!

billsica

trail mix! you are going go burn so much. Don't forget you are going to be carrying a pack too. If you stay longer than day, I like the freeze dried stuff you get in the pouches.

teri1956

All great food for hikes - we also take turkey jerky and several liters of water. Have a great time!

fbmandy55

Take time to strech, hiking makes me SORE! Especially my bottom side. I always bring a hand towel too, comes in convenient for wiping sweat off your face or if you need to wipe your hands off, I just stuff it in the bungee cord part of my hydration pack.

Food-wise: nuts, crackers, you can put some popcorn in a baggy, fruit, trail mix, muffins. Anything that will keep you full and give you energy. Lots of water. I'll drink 45oz hiking for 90 mins on a warm day. No need to pee, you'll sweat it out!

Flyntiggr

You're gonna burn WAY more than you can eat. Period! Some good trail food that you can pack in and out for a day hike:

Pumpkin Seeds
Trail Mix
Luna Bars
Water, Water, and more WATER!
Tuna or chicken salad. I take a little insulated box in my pack. Keep the bread separate, and make your sammywich when you stop. I add a little grapeseed oil, walnuts and grapes to mine
Banana
WATERMELON - soooo yummy and refreshing when you stop.
peanut butter and jelly
Shot blocks

GEAR - Duct tape - great to fix a broken shoe, cover a blister and even a cut. I have several wraps of it on my Nalgene water bottle, and then just cut it off as needed. Dry socks, rain jacket, knife, moleskin (also helps with blisters). Chapstick - I tend to breath through my mouth when i hike - lips get sooo dry! Bug spray, sunscreen....

rocketpants

hey glad to hear you are going hiking! It is a very enjoyable way to burn a ton of calories. I always try to eat ~100-200 calories per hour to keep my energy level up. Hydration is also super important.

Here is a blog post I wrote a while ago with some food ideas for hiking http://coloradokeith.com/backpacking-hiking-food

JenFerguson1

You all are so awesome! Thank you for the great ideas. I'm really not sure how steep the trail is going to be. Were going on Slide Mountain in the catskills...ever heard of it? I know its the highest mountain in the catskills. If we only do that one, I THINK my hubby said its 5 miles up and 5 down? maybe? I hope I burn tons of calories!

Flyntiggr

You all are so awesome! Thank you for the great ideas. I'm really not sure how steep the trail is going to be. Were going on Slide Mountain in the catskills...ever heard of it? I know its the highest mountain in the catskills. If we only do that one, I THINK my hubby said its 5 miles up and 5 down? maybe? I hope I burn tons of calories!

My last 10 mile hike took 5 hours and I burned over 3,000 calories. We topped out at about 3,000 feet (TWICE, cause we got lost). Eat away! I was soooo hungry when we got done I had ice cream and a ginormous HOT DOG! I was craving it like a fat kid craves cake! Enjoy yourself! :drinker:

JenFerguson1

You all are so awesome! Thank you for the great ideas. I'm really not sure how steep the trail is going to be. Were going on Slide Mountain in the catskills...ever heard of it? I know its the highest mountain in the catskills. If we only do that one, I THINK my hubby said its 5 miles up and 5 down? maybe? I hope I burn tons of calories!

My last 10 mile hike took 5 hours and I burned over 3,000 calories. We topped out at about 3,000 feet (TWICE, cause we got lost). Eat away! I was soooo hungry when we got done I had ice cream and a ginormous HOT DOG! I was craving it like a fat kid craves cake! Enjoy yourself! :drinker:

Awesome! I would LOVE to burn that many calories! Ill be eating trail mix the whole time in that case! hahaha. When were done, were also going out to a big dinner then staying at a hotel to zonk out after all that hiking!:)