Now that spring is in the air, everybody is getting the itch to get outside, and be physical one again after months of being cooped up inside. One of the best activities to do in the spring is to go hiking. Not only does hiking get you to explore the great outdoors, but it is also a great form of exercise and something to do with your friends and family.
Before the Hike
Before going hiking, it is important to fuel your “tank” with a healthy and nutrition meal. Make sure that this meal includes whole grains, protein, and a serving of fruit or vegetables. If you are hiking in the morning, try cooking an egg white omelet with diced vegetables and low fat cheese. Or, make a peanut butter and Nutella sandwich on whole wheat bread. If you are going on an afternoon hike, put together a turkey sandwich on whole grain bread with a side of hummus and vegetables for dipping. It is important to drink plenty of water before going on the hike. Even if you are not sweating, hiking takes a lot of energy and it can easily dehydrate your body.
During the Hike
In your backpack, along with your extra clothing, gear, and safety supplies, there should be enough food to keep you full and energized as you burn off calories. The best food to pack is convenience snacks that do not need to be heated or refrigerated and can be eaten by hand without any fuss. When choosing snacks, select foods that provide quick energy. This type of food is a simple carbohydrate, meaning the body can easily absorb it and transform it to energy quickly. The following list is examples of nutritious snacks to pack:
· Raisins
· Apples dipped in peanut butter
· Bananas
· Dried fruit
· Nuts and seeds
· Granola
· Raw vegetables like carrots, celery or peppers
If you choose to buy prepackaged foods, specifically granola bars, be sure to read the nutrition label. Many bars on the market contain just as much sugar to qualify them as being a candy bar. Eating too much sugar can cause you to get an energy spike, followed by a crash where you can feel fatigued. Furthermore, sugar is an empty calorie, meaning it lacks nutritional value. In order to avoid this, try making your own homemade granola bars. For a simplified recipe, try mixing quick oats with coconut, nuts, dried fruit, and bind the mixture together with honey or peanut butter. Spread the mixture in a shallow pan and bake in the oven.
Water is an essential to pack on a hiking trip. Even if you are not thirsty, your body is still losing water that needs to be replenished. Pack a refillable jug that holds at least 32 ounces and depending on how long your hike is, bring extra plastic water bottles to refill your jug along the way.
Where to Hike
Now that you have your food situated, it is time to find a place to hike. Right in Connecticut, there are tons of trails with varying degrees of difficulty depending on what you are up for. Sleeping Giant State Park offers both a gravel path and unpaved trails through the woods that involve scrambling up rocks for those who like more of a challenge. For more trail recommendations, checkout ctvisit.com for a list of Connecticut’s Top 10 Hiking Trails.