[pct-l] Re: Trail Food

[salamander_savage@yahoo.com (Michael Savage)]

The discussions about trail food have gone on so long
that I must put in my two cents.  

>My body objects to that diet. What more can I say?

I believe that some of us are more sensitive to how we
feel after eating certain foods, like high processed
sugars, fried fats, and a host of other "bad" foods. 
People who are used to eating a certain menu of food
simply get used to it.  For example, if you were
raised on a diet of raw fruits and vegetables, whole
grains, etc. (health food), and suddenly switched to a
diet of snickers, processed oatmeal, JIF peanut butter
you'd FEEL the consequences, especially when hiking. 
But most people are used to the standard american
diet. 

I know you won't believe this, but calories aren't
always the issue, depending on what you eat.  Most
people require 4-6k calories a day during a long
distance hike, but it's probably b/c our bodies are so
inefficient.  How else do you explain the first all
raw thru hike this year, on a diet of less than 3k
calories per day?  Most people said it couldn't be
done.  I'm surprised that no one here has mentioned
the accomplishment yet.  

I experiemented with my diet this year on the PCT;
there were periods when I ate lots of 'junk food' like
candy bars and pop tarts and peanut butter.  When I
was eating junk, I could never get enough.  I could
have eaten 15 candy bars a day.  I think this is b/c
processed sugar burns so quickly.  Nevertheless, I
started gaining weight on a high sugar diet.  The
calories are so dense.  Sure, you feel high for a
while, but you get "hungry" soon again.  

Most of my food this summer consisted of dried fruit,
raw nuts, and pasta/olive oil dinners.  When I was
eating more nutritous food I felt much better.  I
didn't get hungry as often.  Most hikers' diets are
just like Let it B's diet.  High in fat, protein and
carbs.  But what about vitamins, minerals, and enzymes
--the forgotten nutrients?

In the end, whatever works for you personally is the
best diet.  Everyone should experiment with their
diet.  Don't ever let anyone tell you what to eat. 
Try everything and see what works best.  

glad I finally posted to this list....I feel better
now
peace
-savage-




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