The Hiker's Nutritionist

This article was published by We Are Explorers – you can find the intro below but you’ll need to click here for the full article.

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There’s nothing worse than being halfway through a hike, sweaty, slightly feral, and realising your only snack option is the crusty sultanas rejected from previous adventures. And unfortunately, staring into your pack like it might produce a croissant doesn’t make one appear.

Whether you’re out on a flat 5km stroll or rising early for a 20km mountainous slog, what you eat can be the difference between feeling indestructible or hitting the wall when you’re nowhere near finished. You want to make sure your snack gives you a mix of fast and slow-release energy, as well as fibre and protein to help you feel full and aid digestion.

As the Hiker’s Nutritionist, I spend a lot of time comparing snack bars for the trail, and they aren’t remotely built the same. From bars advertised as high-energy that have fewer calories than an electrolyte, to ones coated in chocolate that seem to melt the moment the sun peeks over the horizon, choosing a good one isn’t an easy task. 

CLIF Bars are high on my list of good choices for a hiking snack, so I was thrilled to review their latest flavour additions (and their makeup).