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Maintaining Good Nutrition During Trips

Original Post
Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25

What are people doing to try to maintain at least some kind of healthy diet during trips where you don't really have access to a grocery store or refrigeration/ice for cooler? I find I eat a lot worse when I need to carry non-perishable items. My usual home diet is mostly fresh veggies and meats I find the transition difficult. Not difficult as in I don't feel good eating junk food on a trip, difficult as in maintaining the usual good quality foods.

Really my overall main concern is if it effects my performance. I haven't really noticed a problem so it might be a moot point or my choices have been good enough.

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Eric LaRoche wrote:What are people doing to try to maintain at least some kind of healthy diet during trips where you don't really have access to a grocery store or refrigeration/ice for cooler? I find I eat a lot worse when I need to carry non-perishable items. My usual home diet is mostly fresh veggies and meats I find the transition difficult. Not difficult as in I don't feel good eating junk food on a trip, difficult as in maintaining the usual good quality foods. Really my overall main concern is if it effects my performance. I haven't really noticed a problem so it might be a moot point or my choices have been good enough.
+1 for your last sentence which nails it. It's not going to make a difference on a one or two or three week trip. Months at a time? Well, not really that much effect from that, either.
Leslie H · · Keystone · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 415

I dont refrigerate most of what I eat on trips and never have a problem. I get my protein via eggs and canned fish ( only American refrigerate eggs) and bring root veggies that last without refrigeration ( onions, carrots, etc) I usually just mix up the fish with some pasta and red sauce, veggies, and fresh pepper and voila...a nutritious meal for a queen. I also make chili ahead of time, pack it with, and reheat that. I've seen tons of healthy eats on trips with no coolers; just have to be creative.

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316
Leslie McG wrote:( only American refrigerate eggs).
There are reason to refrigerate eggs that are produced in the US besides being an American.
Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25
Mike Brady wrote: There are reason to refrigerate eggs that are produced in the US besides being an American.
Luckily I have my own chickens now so, those shouldn't be a problem. :-)
Rich B · · Boulder, CO · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 10
Mike Brady wrote: There are reason to refrigerate eggs that are produced in the US besides being an American.
Yes, salmonella. Eggs are processed differently in Europe than in the united states.

"According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there are more than 140,000 cases of salmonella poisoning from eggs in the United States every year. It is so prevalent that it has been called a “national epidemic.” And when eggs are left at room temperature, salmonella can multiply quite rapidly, reaching dangerous levels within a matter of weeks." - latimes.com/food/dailydish/…

For the most part I rarelyeat meat, eggs, or dairy. And when I go on climbing trips, and car camping, I eat the same. Little to worry about eating canned and dry foods. I like making burritos, spaghetti from a jar, eating veggies, energy bars, and other stuff that I don't worry about going rancid. But I do have a cooler for some things I want to keep cool, like salsa, and hummus.
Mark R · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65

Have you tried freeze-dried or dehydrated veggies? Beef jerky, soups, black beans, lentils.

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316
Eric LaRoche wrote: Luckily I have my own chickens now so, those shouldn't be a problem. :-)
Nice! I think all you need to do is not wash the gunk off those things and they are good to go without being refrigerated.

As for your original post, for me the hardest part of maintaining good nutrition is during the drive on a road trip. I have a serious problem with jerky, chips, sugar water, and all the other good stuff. I usually try to pack veggies and nuts for snacks before hitting the road. Once I get to where I am going I don't really worry to much about what I eat, but maintaining on the road seems to help keep things regular.
Leslie H · · Keystone · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 415
Rich Bergstrom wrote: Yes, salmonella. Eggs are processed differently in Europe than in the united states.
Doesnt surprise me that we process eggs differently. But I have used 2 week old eggs, never refrigerated, and have lived to write about it....good to know though for sure!
Rob D · · Queens, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 30

go-to (vegan) things for trips:

-beans and rice: so easy, so simple, so good for you. Add peppers or even kale to make it slightly healthier. A little hot sauce and you're good to go.
-stir fry: ten minute prep, a little soy sauce, even a little rice or bread if you want to add some carbs and starch.
-pouches of indian food from trader joes: yeah they're not the most healthy, but they provide good food with zero prep. Probably as healthy as most "backpacking" meals, but they cost $2.
-fried plantains: easy prep, easy clean up, put on top of brown rice and you have a good meal.
-quinoa and veggies: quinoa is easy as hell to cook, toss in a couple cherry tomatoes, some protein, some green, and you can make enough food for two days for just a few dollars.

Eric LaRoche · · West Swanzey, NH · Joined Aug 2011 · Points: 25
Leslie McG wrote: Doesnt surprise me that we process eggs differently. But I have used 2 week old eggs, never refrigerated, and have lived to write about it....good to know though for sure!
and they were probably 3 weeks old before you even bought them. :-)
Mark R · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Leslie McG wrote: Doesnt surprise me that we process eggs differently. But I have used 2 week old eggs, never refrigerated, and have lived to write about it....good to know though for sure!
If there's any question as to whether they'll make you sick or not just drop them into a cup of water (if you have enough water to spare).

If they sit on the bottom they're good to eat, if they float then yer gonna die.
Leslie H · · Keystone · Joined Jun 2012 · Points: 415
Mark Ra wrote: If there's any question as to whether they'll make you sick or not just drop them into a cup of water (if you have enough water to spare). If they sit on the bottom they're good to eat, if they float then yer gonna die.
Buoyancy- I love it!!!!
Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Leslie McG wrote:I also make chili ahead of time, pack it with, and reheat that.
Just remember that if done incorrectly, this can be incredibly lethal.
cdc.gov/botulism/botulism.htm
Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60

Forgive me Consumerists, for I have sinned. It has been five years since I gave up the use of food refrigeration(though I did a six month house sit last winter which had, and gained the poundage to prove it).

I have eaten eggs which have sat in a no-ice cooler for weeks - hundreds of them. I have never had so much as a gas pain. Refrigeration is a myth the manufacturers of products, such as electricity, tell you you MUST have or risk DYING!!!

But to answer the OP's question, you should buy the sames types of foods you say you normally eat. The differences might include:
- dried milk instead of what people would call "fresh"(refrigerated cartons). It will last as long as you keep it dry.
- meats: fresh meats do need refrigeration, so only buy what you can cook within 24 hours(if can be kept reasonably cool) and eat within three days. Yes! I have eaten three day old, no-ice cooler stored chicken dishes THREE DAYS old, and never had so much as a gas pain.
- Beer: Learn to like it lukewarm and you'll be fine. Storing it in the coldest place possible(in shade during day, and likely outside at night unless below freezing) will help.

Can't "meat-based entree foods" like Chef Boyaredee, Dinty Moore Stew and such, are not necessary and are high in salt. You won't dies if you don't have meat. But hard salamies are tasty and last as long as you need them too. You can cut chuncks and sautee in scrambled eggs for breakfast, or add to a cream sauce(made with the dried milk, cornstarch, oil and water) along with some chooped vegetables(carrots, broccoli, onion...) and mix with cooked pasta, rice, or couscous.

Use your head - it's not really very difficult. Just don't fall into the "canned goods aisle or starve" thinking.

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316

Yeah, bacteria is totally a myth.

Boissal . · · Small Lake, UT · Joined Aug 2006 · Points: 1,541
Happiegrrrl wrote:Refrigeration is a myth the manufacturers of products, such as electricity, tell you you MUST have or risk DYING!!!
Electricity is a product? Interesting concept. If you share your mailing address I'll send you tinfoil for a nice shinny hat...
Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Happiegrrrl wrote:Refrigeration is a myth the manufacturers of products, such as electricity, tell you you MUST have or risk DYING!!!
This is so laughably incorrect!
There's a reason refrigeration was invented, as was canning. It's called food preservation, and yes, people were dying from food-borne illnesses.
True, not everything that people refrigerate actually requires refrigeration, but with many items it means it will spoil in 10 days instead of 3.

Out of curiosity, have you ever had the "24-hour flu"? How about a good case of the runs?
Brian E · · Western North Carolina · Joined Mar 2005 · Points: 348

I lived out of my car for a year and a half, and I ate eggs every single day. I never refrigerated them, Winter, Spring, Summer, or Fall, and I'm still here to talk about it. I'm sure that I was at an increased risk for things like Salmonella, but there's plenty of things in the world to worry about, and this wasn't one I felt deserved too much attention.

When I would restock at the grocery store, I would buy meat and cook it that night. If I had leftovers I would just try to eat it by lunch the next day, but I often wouldn't get to it until dinner.

Good luck!

Travis Kaney · · Green Bay, WI · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 420

Things I've learned from this thread: yer gonna die.

David Baddeley · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Oct 2014 · Points: 30

It depends a bit on whether you're travelling with a car or hiking ... I find things last a bit better when hiking (it doesn't get as hot as all your clothes act as insulation). My experience is that, assuming you can get fresh food to start with - which is unfortunately not always a given (e.g. in the US), meat will last about a day out of the fridge, 2 if initially frozen. Pre-cooked sausages & other cooked meat will last about 3-4 days, and bacon, salami, and hard cheese will be fine for a couple of weeks. Soft fruit & veges (zucchini, broccoli, peppers, tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms etc) will easily go 4 days, often longer, hard veges (eg potatoes, carrots, onions) will keep for longer than you want to carry them. Powdered milk,freeze dried veges (you can typically get peas, carrots, beans, mashed potato, and onion flakes at the supermarket), dried fruit, nuts,rice, pasta, and lentils all keep more or less indefinitely and are also light.

On long hiking trips (5-10 days) I tend to start with fresh stuff for 3-4 days and then move on to supermarket freeze dried veges with rice, pasta, or lentils. I'll typically chuck in some salami, cheese, nuts, or canned tuna for protein. Having good seasoning (curry powder is a favourite) and some tomato paste helps make it less bland. Although you can easily cover your dietary requirements with this kind of meal, it's a huge moral boost to keep some fresh fruit and veges for the end of the trip - for me that's usually onions and apples.

You can also get freeze dried egg powder, and 'textured vegetable protein' (a vegetarian meat substitute, although I've never been desperate enough to try them.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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