Hiking on winter trails is a truly magical experience. Snow-capped mountains, bracingly fresh air and tranquil silence are incredibly restorative for the mind and body. It’s important to plan ahead before setting off on these adventures. Your body will need fuel but at the same time you don’t want to make your backpack too heavy. What you need are light snacks that won’t freeze in cold temperatures. So, without further ado, here are our top tips: healthy vegan snacks that are the ideal winter trail companions! Read on to find out how to keep your strength up on the trail with delicious snacks that are perfectly chosen to meet your body’s needs.
Why are healthy snacks so important on winter hikes?
Winter hiking is a great way of enjoying the cold months and staying active. However, hiking in wintry landscapes can be really strenuous, so it’s important to make sure your body gets the energy and nutrients it needs to tackle long hikes in cold temperatures. You need healthy snacks to prevent your blood sugar levels from fluctuating and avoid performance slumps. Professionals recommend taking several short breaks and eating small, healthy snacks that keep you full and satisfied. A good mix of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and proteins also stops your body temperature from dropping too low; when this happens, your body tries to stay warm by shivering and tensing up which, in turn, burns more calories.
The good news is that there are many delicious natural snacks you can throw in your bag and take on the trail with you, many of which are vegan.
Here are some tasty suggestions:
1) Nuts and seeds: almonds, cashews, peanuts, walnuts or sunflower seeds are packed with protein and also contain important unsaturated fatty acids. They can be easily carried in a small container or bag and will keep you full for a long time.
2) Dried fruit: dates, raisins or figs are not only deliciously sweet, they also contain lots of protein plus plenty of vitamins and minerals, making them a perfect source of energy on winter hikes. Another advantage is that unlike fresh fruit, dried fruit doesn’t freeze.
3) Legumes: peas, lentils or chickpeas in the form of hummus or a spread along with a couple of slices of wholegrain bread and some veggies are a dream team for hikes.
4) Do you like baking? Then try delicious banana bread with walnuts. Bananas are great sources of energy, but they can get squidgy in your backpack. Transform them into a tasty loaf with spelt or wholegrain wheat flour to add valuable fibre to keep you feeling full for longer. Season the mix with a little cinnamon and you’ll feel even warmer. Or, for an indulgent reward for your exertion, add some chocolate chunks.
Our hottest tip comes in the form of soup, which you can take with you in a thermos. A simple vegetable broth, pumpkin, sweet potato or carrot soup will keep you warm and give your body a vitamin-packed boost as well as some essential fluid.
Our RAWBITE bars are packed with almonds, cashews and dates and they’re the perfect size for your backpack on a winter hike. As well as all the tasty ingredients, RAWBITE bars score on another count: they don’t get hard, even at the lowest temperatures, and retain their nutty, fruity texture – making them perfect energy providers.
Pure Taste. Pure Joy.
