As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, Ray and I are hiking champs nowadays – and our appetite is showing it! Anytime we know we’re going to be out and about hiking for a few hours, I’ve started to love creating my own, individually-packed trail mixes to keep our energy up and keep our eye on the prize – whether that’s making it to the top of a mountain, or through a long work day.
There are certain elements that I make sure are included:
Nuts – Unsaturated fats, protein, and fiber, oh my! These will keep you feeling full longer, while also giving your system a power punch of tasty vitamins and minerals!
Dried Fruit – While you need to watch that you don’t go too crazy with this one, dried fruit adds a little sweetness while bringing antioxidants, fiber, calcium, and a whole source of nutrients to the party.
Seeds – While I don’t include too many of these, they provide an extra boost of nutrients, similar to nuts. Go crazy!
Whole Grains – Complex carbs build your energy to keep you going longer and help you feel full. Plus, they add a little crunch, and who doesn’t like that?!
Chocolate – Yes, the rest of these ingredients build energy, but a little bit of sugar gives that extra, immediate burst. Just be sure to add them sparingly and go for a sweet that won’t melt all over the place if you’ll be on the trails.
Since we’re planning to hike our first fourteener this weekend, I packed a few bags of a trail mix in advance. Since these hikes tend to take several hours, I made them with a bit more substance than if I needed these for a work day snack, so plan accordingly. Each of these pack a bit over 300 calories and are meant to keep us going for the long haul.
1/8 cup sunflower seeds
1/8 cup almonds
1/8 cup dried cranberries
1/8 cup original M&M
A bit under 1/2 cup Cheerios
Directions: Toss all in a lunch bag and get wild mixing them up! Enjoy!!
JOIN THE CONVERSATION
What are your favorite snacks that are built to give you energy? Can’t wait to read your recommendations in the comments section below!
Create a great life!
