Let me ask you a fundamental question. What are some of your go-to hike snacks? If your answer includes Snickers, jellies, or crackers, you should reconsider taking some with you again. While delicious, they’re not the ideal food to feed your body, particularly during a hike.
Are Energy Bars recommended?
Instead, consider taking energy bars designed for hiking, jogging, climbing, and cycling. Most of them are nutritious, tasty, and healthful. These energy bars will follow you along your journey be in your pack or in your pocket and keep you energized along the way.
What Are Energy Bars?
Energy bars are tasty and healthy snack bars that are made of whole grain cereals, oats, granola, quinoa, almonds and nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and fruits. These bars were well-known as sports or protein bars and mostly appealed to athletes and trainers.
However, energy bars are now designed to meet the needs of individuals with various health objectives. If you search the market, you will find well balanced bars that will replace your meals while supporting your workout.
Some are suitable for people with diabetes, while others help individuals with weight reduction programs. There are also fantastic and delightful alternatives for toddlers. Because of the variety of flavors and ingredients, these tiny, compact energy bars will fuel you and satisfy your appetite.
Who Is The Founder Of Energy Bar?
Mike McCollum, Brian Maxwell, and Jennifer Biddulph. A Canadian entrepreneur and athlete by the name of Brian Maxwell, together with Mike McCollum and Jennifer Biddulph, created the first energy Bar.
Nestle invested $375 million to purchase Power Bar. in 2014, Post Holdings agreed to buy Power Bar and other Nestle assets in 2014. A few years later, Premium Nutrients Company acquired ownership of the trademark.
Are Energy Bars Recommended?
What Are The Different Types Of Energy Bars For Hiking?
Meal Replacement Bars:
These bars, as the name implies, are replacements for regular meals and are beneficial for weight loss and dieting. Each meal replacement bar should have a well-balanced nutritional profile that includes a variety of vitamins. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that the calorie count of all products in this category should be between 200 and 300.
Organic Bars:
With the world turning organic, it only seems right to include an organic bar on the list for camping/hiking. An organic bar components are all derived from essential natural sources. They’re an excellent energy source since they don’t include added sugars or proteins.
Endurance Bars:
These are essential for staying strong throughout a lengthy hike or activity. They have a high concentration of carbs and electrolytes. The bars are gradually broken down to provide non-sugary energy over an extended period. A fantastic example of an endurance bar is Honey Stinger Bar.
Activity Bars:
Similar to endurance bars, activity bars provide sustained energy for the hikers. They are perfect for lengthy outdoor activities that need meal replacement nutritional characteristics as well as a high level of energy.
Protein Bars:
One would not expect to hear the term protein when it comes to energy. Proteins are primarily involved in tissue development and repair. When protein consumption is excessive, the body transforms it into energy.
Protein bars are therefore designed not merely to provide energy but also to encourage muscular building. They aid in muscle repair after strenuous physical activity, such as hiking. However, you should read the label when selecting a protein bar.
Products containing more than 20 grams of protein have an artificial flavor and have also been connected to gastrointestinal discomfort. The protein weight of the finest protein bar should be less than 10 grams.
How Do You Choose Energy Bars For Hiking And Backpacking?
Only some energy bars on the market are suitable for you. Here’s how to choose the best energy bar for hiking:
Find Out Its Effectiveness:
It is difficult to determine the efficiency of each energy bars due to age, metabolism, and nutritional demands. Manufacturers’ claims may be sometime deceptive. It is prudent to consider other customers’ experiences, compare them to your own, and take the appropriate decision.
Check Out Reviews From Other Buyers:
The energy bar market is still in its early stages. Despite its growth, finding the ideal product remains difficult. Not all product reviews on Amazon and other online marketplaces are trustworthy, but most of them are. Nonetheless, it is your best chance to assess a good energy bar.
Read The Product Description:
A broad selection of product descriptions is accurate and reliable. They not only explain how to utilize the energy bar but also emphasize the product’s contents and purpose.
Consider The Brand:
The brand says a lot about the quality of a product. There are a few recognized energy bar makers on the market, and Clif Bar is an excellent example. Still, don’t only depend on the name; be sure the efficacy and ingredients are top-notch.
Keep The Length Of The Hike In Mind:
The longer the trek, the more energy you will need, and vice versa.
Know Your Nutritional Requirements:
After all, you need to restore your energy and power for your body. Consider your daily calorie consumption when selecting your energy bars to prevent shortfall or excess. You will get tired if you do not have enough of them.
What To Consider While Choosing Energy Bars For Hiking?
An excellent hiking energy bar has many characteristics. Let’s have a glance at them individually:
Taste Or Flavor:
Everyone wants a wonderful hiking experience, and superb taste is a big part of that. The last thing you want is a bad-tasting energy bar. As a result, the flavor is essential. An unpleasant taste might come from mixing several nutrients, and a too high protein level can also harm flavor.
Calorie Density:
It is critical to understand how many calories are accessible in each gram of your energy bar. Without knowing this, you may eat empty calories and then feel hungry shortly after. It is all about caloric quality. The more calories per gram of the energy bar, the better.
Remember that bars are light and compact for your convenience. As a result, they must be nutritious and calorie packed. Furthermore, ensure the calorie count corresponds to your daily needs to prevent unwanted weight gain.
Price:
It is a major decision element, with costs ranging from low to expensive. Unfortunately, the best quality and most nutritional energy bar require a deeper dive into your wallet. On the plus side, you can still find a good energy bar without breaking the budget. Concentrate mostly on the components and nutritional content.
Ingredients:
Each component of your energy bar should be beneficial. Choose energy bars made with genuine food components. Excess sugar is, as usual, harmful. Artificial sweeteners and trans fats are similarly toxic, and these compounds may cause gas and bloat.
Digestion:
Although most energy bars won’t cause stomach upset, finding one alternative or two is possible. The most frequent adverse effects (still extremely rare) are diarrhea, cramps, and bloating. To prevent this, avoid inulin, alcohol, and excessive sugar.
Energy:
The primary purpose for taking energy bars is to gain energy. As a result, your selection should include energy sources that the body can easily consume and digest. On the package of the items, the calorie count is shown.
Glycemic Index:
The Glycemic index measures how quickly energy bars raise blood sugar levels. Simple sugars and processed sweeteners spike blood sugar quickly but then crash. That is why energy bars with a low glycemic index are necessary. They’re safe and effective for the long-term stabilization of blood sugar levels.
Texture:
Energy bars come in various textures, including crumbly, crunchy, and chewy. In most situations, the texture is determined by the components. Your final decision will be based on your preferences.
High Fiber Complex Curbs:
Complex, high-fiber, low-glycemic index foods are preferred over more basic options like white rice. Due to a lack of fiber, they are easily converted to sugar, resulting in a sugar rise. On the contrary, you need complex carbohydrates such as oats. Because of the high fiber content, the conversion rate is sluggish.
In summary, you’ll have plenty of energy for a long time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Are Protein Bars Sufficient For Hiking?
Energy bars with a high protein content are ideal for hiking, jogging, and other low-intensity exercises. Typically, 9g of protein is considered high, but you can easily get one with more than 20g of protein.
Are Energy Bars Suitable For Trekkers?
Trekking requires the use of energy bars. It is because your body will demand a lot of energy, and they come in useful to refill your depleted energy. There are also many other energy bars on the market with minimal sugar content, which are ideal for people with diabetes.
What Ingredients Should Be Avoided In Energy Bars?
With so many alternatives on the market, there are several components to avoid in energy bars. They comprise artificial chemicals, partly hydrogenated oil, and added sugar. The ones containing such substances may be inexpensive and tasty, but they are undoubtedly unhealthy in the long term.
What Should I Eat Before Going On A Hike?
Before trekking, have a nutritious breakfast with quality protein, whole grains, fruit, or vegetables. Sugary cereals should be avoided. Pre-hike meals include oatmeal, whole-grain cereal, eggs, brown rice, low-fat yogurt, and whole-wheat bread.
What Should You Drink When Hiking?
While trekking, the finest drink is plain fresh water, which will aid in storing fluids and energy. You may also add a sports drink to the mix. Sports drinks are essential for maintaining electrolyte balance in the body.
How Can I Improve My Trekking Stamina?
There are various methods to prepare your body for trekking. starting by walking and running. Second, consider weight training to improve your endurance and cardiovascular health. Hill intervals will also improve endurance. Aside from that, you should improve your breathing technique, mental toughness, and exercise frequency.
Additional Resources
If you are looking for more tutorials, walkthroughs and troubleshooting about camping and enjoying the outdoors, here are some additional posts to check out:
Conclusion:
The ideal hiking snack should be slow to digest and produce a consistent boost in blood sugar. Pick whole foods for the best energy bars. As with the energy bars discussed above, be sure your desired selection is nutritionally excellent and balanced.
In addition, bear in mind that glucose from carbohydrates is what keeps you going. Pay attention to the components to acquire carbohydrates with a low glycemic index so you can stay energized for a long time. For Diabetic folks that need energy bars, you can look at my review on the” 5 Best Energy Bars Diabetics Can Eat!”
There you have it! It is all you need to know to choose the proper energy bars. Choose energy bars that are rich in fiber, low in carbs, and low in sugar. Natural substances are acceptable, and Trans fats, empty calories, and artificial substances are all terrible for you.
Similarly, bear in mind that overeating may be harmful to your weight and general health. To prevent this, concentrate on your daily dietary needs. Thanks for reading, if you think I forgot something or if you simply want to share a story, an experience, or some advice, you can do so by leaving your comment below. Be safe and Have Fun.!