What Are The Best Snacks For Climbing Kilimanjaro?
What Are The Best Snacks For Climbing Kilimanjaro? Are snacks necessary when climbing Kilimanjaro? You have all the necessary equipment, a valid visa, training that is going well, you are confident that you have enough clothes and hand warmers just in case, and you are prepared to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, correct? All that’s left to do now is purchase your snacks! So, what snack should you bring for the journey up Kilimanjaro? While drinking enough water is the most important thing to remember when climbing Kilimanjaro, what energy-boosting snacks would you require and want while climbing the mountain? What kind of snacks is ideal for altitude when climbing Kilimanjaro? Why is it vital to pack snacks? Is it not possible for me to just bring a ton of Clif bars and chocolate? Your queries have been addressed. Here it is: your ultimate guide to the best snacks to have when climbing Kilimanjaro.
WHY DO YOU NEED TO BRING SNACKS FOR KILIMANJARO?
There are provisions for lunch, dinner, and breakfast. Expect to actually enjoy two of those three meals, though. The trekking firms provide good, but not particularly noteworthy, packed meals. Although a hard-boiled egg is an excellent source of protein, the “sandwiches” you’ll probably get won’t be enough to quell your appetite. You need more than a slice of white bread to maintain your energy throughout the day because walking will burn a lot of calories each day, especially at altitude, where your body is working even harder. The snacks you pack are a supplement to the lunches, make up for any meals that don’t whet your appetite, and provide some level of comfort in a location that is otherwise utterly alien.
A QUICK NOTE ON ALTITUDE, FOOD, AND WATER
There are additional strategies to lessen and avoid altitude sickness, even though you can perform all the altitude training you possibly can. One of these is your climbing diet. Keep in mind that being hydrated is crucial, but your diet should also support that. You will need to buy goods frequently to make up for the energy you will lose due to physical activity and altitude. Water intake and complex carbs are the best ways to do this. You should consume carbohydrates, sugar, and water continuously throughout the day. You shouldn’t eat too much fatty food at once, and you shouldn’t drink too much alcohol, salt, or caffeine either. There is a lot more to say about eating at altitude, but those are the key ideas.
DO I NEED TO BRING SNACKS FOR KILIMANJARO CLIMB?
We supply all of the food needed for your Kilimanjaro ascent. Our customers receive three filling hot meals. These meals contain a variety of macronutrients, including protein, carbohydrates, and fat, but they are purposefully high in carbohydrates because they are the preferred energy source at altitude.
We also offer afternoon treats including peanuts, popcorn, cookies, chips (fries), and more. Therefore, you do not need to add personal snacks. It’s not required. However, we do believe that having at least a few dishes from home is a smart idea. They can give you some extra calories and a “pick-me-up” while you’re out hiking.
HOW MANY SNACKS SHOULD I BRING?
You don’t need to bring any snacks because they aren’t absolutely necessary. If you do decide to bring them, keep the number per day on the mountain to one or 1.5. Take no more than eight to twelve items, for instance, for an eight-day climb of the Lemosho Route. Bring no more than two or three snacks daily; this is simply too much for one person to eat in addition to the regular meals.
If you plan to share them with your fellow climbers, guides, and porters, you can carry extra snacks, which they will definitely appreciate. On the way to the trailhead for some routes, you will be able to purchase quick food. Where there is a convenience shop, the car will stop so the driver can use the restroom. A chance to sample products from the area.
WHAT KIND OF SNACKS ARE THE BEST?
Actually, there isn’t a “best” snack. Whatever you choose to eat on the mountain is a matter of personal preference. We advise bringing a selection of snacks from the subcategories listed below. You can then eat whatever strikes you’re fancy at the time.
Variety enhances flavor, and repetition can grow unappealing, especially on a mountain where nausea and loss of appetite are common. You might be examining your gift bag and disliking all the selections if you brought the same foods to eat every day. Therefore, it is not a good idea to bring three pounds of trail mix or twelve PowerBars.
- Meal replacements—protein bars, energy bars, granola bars, and powders
On a few occasions, it can be useful to pack snacks that can replace meals. It’s possible that you skipped meals because you felt sick when they were being served. When you feel better, you can consume your meal replacement. You can also eat your meal replacement if, for some reason, the hot meal doesn’t appeal to you or isn’t satisfying.
Salty snacks
Salty snacks like Pringles, trail mix, almonds, pretzels, and jerky. Due to the sodium you lose through sweat, you will crave salty meals. Replace salt with some of these snacks. Salt does more than just restore sodium because it also contains electrolytes like magnesium, calcium, and potassium.
- Sugary snacks
Sugary snacks like M&Ms, chocolate bars, dried fruit, and hard candies after supper and as a midday treat, sweet snacks are excellent. Sugar is believed to improve mood and give a brief “high” through releasing endorphins.
- Energy snacks
Energy snacks: sports gels, energy gels, sport beans, Clif Bloks, and GU Chews are examples of energy snacks. These snacks are loaded with sweets and occasionally caffeine to give you an instant energy boost. The majority of energy gels don’t contain any protein, fiber, or fat, making them easily digestible.
- Electrolytes
Electrolytes: GU Hydration Tablets, Nuun Tablets, and Gatorade Packets the electrolytes (potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium) lost during exercise are to be replaced by these items. For healing, consume one serving each evening.
BRING SNACKS THAT YOU LOVE EATING AT HOME—COMFORT FOOD.
A few better options include almonds and dried mango. There are even more decadent foods, such as M&Ms and gummy bears. Everyone is doing well and performing their duties on Kilimanjaro. However, if forced to choose between excellent nutritional content and exquisite taste, we suggest choosing the latter. It’s more crucial that a food tastes good when you’re high than that it’s healthy. Your dietary needs will be met by the meals we offer.
ARE THERE ANY SNACKS I SHOULDN’T BRING?
All climbs are fully supported, so our porters will carry whatever extra baggage you may have, but we do ask that you respect what you ask them to carry. Any food that you wouldn’t bring with you on a backpacking trip is definitely not a good snack for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro either.
- Eliminate foods that are excessively filling (bagels, popcorn).
- Avoid spoiled meals (prepared food in Ziploc bags).
- Avoid consuming hefty foods (fresh fruit, drinks, and other liquids).
- Avoid consuming food that has been stored in flimsy or leaky containers (glass containers, non-resalable bags).
- Avoid goods that require excessive packing and waste (such as canned foods).
- Caffeine should not be consumed in excess, as it may interfere with sleep.
- Don’t bring booze with you (it is strictly forbidden in the park).
- Aim for snacks that are: portable, modest in volume, high in calories, varied in flavor and texture, contain carbs, and are simple to eat. The best Kilimanjaro snacks have these characteristics.
KILIMANJARO SNACKS: A NEGLECTED BUT IMPORTANT ASPECT OF YOUR KILIMANJARO EXPERIENCE
A handbook for munching on Africa’s tallest peak is now available. Of course, this advice on snacks is applicable to almost any trip or climb, especially one at a high altitude. But in the end, there is no magic bar that will lift you to the top. Willpower, mental toughness, and physical ability must be carefully combined in order to climb Kilimanjaro. The first step in climbing Kilimanjaro is believing that you can. Take the risk, establish your objective, and scale that peak! With the aid of snacks, you can succeed!
