13 Energizing Snacks That Frequent Hikers Swear By
by Audrey Bruno / Read the Original Article Here
Every time I go on a hike, I wind up extremely hungry by the end. I always pack what seems like a sufficient amount of snacks for the distance, but somehow it’s never enough. I’ve talked to registered dietitians in the past and they’ve always told me that a good hiking snack should have a decent amount of carbs to keep you fueled, and protein, fat, and fiber to keep you full the whole way through. But even when I keep this in mind, the snacks that I do bring aren’t enough to keep my stomach from growling.
I figured if anyone would know how to actually stay fueled on the trail, it would be the people who consider hiking a big part of their lifestyle. So I reached out to some of the hikers I follow on social media to ask them which energizing snacks they rely on. Not only do their picks sound totally delicious, they’re also easy to pack, don’t need to be kept cold, and light enough that they won’t weigh your backpack down—but hearty enough to keep you full.
From spicy jerky bites to almond butter packets, these are the 13 products they swear by.
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Munk Pack Protein Cookies
Writer, photographer, and outdoors expert Laura Hughes tells SELF that she loves to take cookies with her on hikes, but not just any old cookies. She swears by the cookies from Munk Pack, which include flavors like snickerdoodle, peanut butter chocolate chip, and coconut white chip macadamia—basically, anything you could want. It’s a favorite brand of hers because the products are totally vegan, and they’re packed with protein and fiber.
Buy it: $15 for a pack of 6, amazon.com
Trader Joe's Unsweetened Dried Mangoes
According to Raynelle Rino, frequent hiker and creator of the nature-based consulting firm Rino Consulting Solutions, these dried mango strips do a perfect job of satisfying her sweet tooth. She says it’s her version of candy on the trail that also allows her to get a bit of fiber.
Buy it: $24 for a pack of 4, amazon.com
KIND Bars
Rino always tries to bring at least a little bit of chocolate with her on the trail, typically in the form of a KIND bar. “I usually just say ‘Drink lots of water and eat foods that make you happy,’ and that applies to during a hike as well,” she explains. And sometimes nothing makes her (and a lot of us) feel better than some chocolate, especially when she’s mid-trek.
Buy it: $14 for a box of 20, kindsnacks.com
Justin’s Almond Butter Packets
Erin Parisi, high-altitude mountaineer and outdoor athlete for TranSending.org, tells SELF that these packets have been her go-to for long hikes lately. She likes them because they’re calorie-dense, and they provide a simple and satisfying dose of fats and protein that take longer to digest and give her sustained energy as a result. “They easily ration out,” she adds, “making them ideal for budgeting fulfilling sustenance all day long.”
Buy it: $20 for a pack of 10, amazon.com
Duke’s Shorty Smoked Sausages
“I’m a fan of jerky of basically any kind for hiking because it’s a good dense protein source that is light to carry,” Beth Bradley, adventurer and editor, tells SELF. But of all the options out there, she says Duke’s are her favorite by a long shot. “These are made in small batches and come in a bunch of unique flavors,” she explains. If you’re looking for something spicy, she says the hatch green chile flavor definitely won’t disappoint.
Buy it: $34 for a pack of 12, amazon.com
Ghirardelli Chocolate Bars
Parisis says that when the going gets really tough on the trail, turning to chocolate is never a bad idea. “That banged up Ghirardelli bar in your pack equals instant energy,” she says. “Those final steps of many summits have been achieved on the happiness and positivity provided by a simple treat.” So the next time you’re wondering if you should bring a chocolate bar with you on a hike, the answer is yes.
Buy it: $15 for a pack of 6, amazon.com
Epic Bars
“Epic bars are a great source of protein and have fewer preservatives compared to other jerky-style meat products,” Hughes explains. Out of all of their many, many flavors, her two favorites are the turkey bars with cranberries and almonds, and the chicken bars with sesame barbecue.
Buy it: $22 for a box of 12, amazon.com
Luna Bars
Whenever Parisi hikes for more than half a day, she brings a Luna Bar with her, namely the creamy dreamy peanut butter bar, because it’s packed with enough protein and carbs to keep her energized and focused when she starts to wear down.
Buy it: $15 for a pack of 15, amazon.com
Gatorade Energy Chews
“Last year, I summited Mt. Bierstadt in Colorado, which was one of the most challenging hikes of my life,” Bradley explains. “My friend had these in his pack and shared them with me, and I felt like the extra carbs actually did give me a little boost when I was very depleted and loosing steam,” she adds. Plus, she says, they’re sweet and they taste like gummy bears—definitely handy for an intense, all-day hike.
Buy it: $15 for a pack of 16, amazon.com
Crunchsters
“These crispy sprouted mung beans are a game-changing hiking snack for me,” says Bradley. Aside from the fact that they’re delicious, she loves them because mung beans are full of fiber and protein, so they’re very satisfying. “They’re also light and easy to toss in my pack, and I like that they are a savory alternative to sweet energy bars,” she explains. They have a bunch of tasty flavors, from bacon to smoky balsamic, and they’re vegan, nut-free, and gluten-free.
Buy it: $10 for a bag of 6, amazon.com
Larabars
Adventurer and model Priya Mareedu loves Lärabars because she likes that they’re made from simple ingredients, like dates, nuts, and spices. Not to mention, she says, they keep her going for hours, even on an seven-day pack-rafting trip (which is when you pack everything up as if you were camping and travel via raft) through Mexico. “These were basically my lifesavers,” she says. Try the apple pie flavor, which is her favorite because it tastes a lot like the real thing.
Buy it: $5 for a pack of 5, amazon.com
Mamma Chia Chia Squeeze
“These fruit and chia seed pouches are tasty and very convenient for the trail,” says Bradley. She likes them because the chia seeds provide a good amount of fiber, protein, and healthy fats all in a small pouch. They have many flavors, and if you’re not sure which to try first, she recommends blackberry and mango-coconut.
Buy it: $19 for a pack of 10, amazon.com
Lenny and Larry’s The Complete Cookie
These protein cookies are another favorite of Hughes, who loves them because they’re vegan, yet totally satisfying thanks to 8 grams of protein per serving. And they have so many flavors worth trying, like chocolate donut, birthday cake, and lemon poppy seed, to name a few.
Buy it: $18 for a box of 12, amazon.com
