View Full Version : Nutrition on the trail
Procras108r
10-12-2009, 11:49
As I plan for my thru hike, I read that dehydrated vegetables either loose or cannot maintain the nutritional properties a hiker would need. It is one of the reasons many hikers are encouraged to eat alot from the salad bars in towns.
But, what if you tried to grow some sprouts along the hike. Has anyone tried it? I think it could be possible......
1 - First soak could take place over night. Then the carry or weight load is simply a plastic bottle filled with nothing but wet seeds.
2 - Clean water going into the container for rinsing the sprouts could then be poured into your boil pot for rehydrating or cooking so no water loss.
3 - Attach container to the top of your bag for 'some' light. Many seeds do not need a lot of light, but do those same seeds have the nutritional value that I need?
Just thinking ahead for the trip and felt someone here would know if this could be done or if it is practical. Be kind in your comments....newbie here.
Frick Frack
10-12-2009, 12:02
Ahhh, you will not believe what you eventually crave and end up eating along the way to keep you going. Our healthy eating lasted about 3 weeks...
garlic08
10-12-2009, 12:03
I love sprouts and thought about trying it on the trail, too. But most of my hiking is in the arid West, so keeping them moist enough to germinate seemed like too much of a problem. Plus too many overnight frosts in the high country. And my hiking style is more geared to just enjoying the walking and I think I would tend to neglect a crop of sprouts on my back. But great idea, and good luck.
You have the right idea about nutrition, I think. On the AT, there are generally plenty of good salad bars and green grocers along the way. My goal is to carry one piece of fresh veg every day, maybe just a stalk of celery or a green pepper if available--well worth the weight for overall health on a long hike.
(There, that was kind, wasn't it?) :welcome
LaurieAnn
10-12-2009, 12:24
We grow sprouts all the time and I believe I may have posted instructions in an earlier thread (I'll look after I post this and find the thread and if I can't find it then I will post the instructions).
You need to soak them in 1 cup of water for 4 to 6 hours and then drain the sprouts.... after that you just give them a rinse every morning and evening and then biner them to your pack. I use a wide-mouth Nalgene for the 3 of us and a piece of cheesecloth secured with an elastic. Works wonders.
A photo looking down into the Nalgene on Day 3 (Broccoli Sprouts)
http://www.gjstudios.com/food/aerialday3.jpg
Same Sprouts from the side
http://www.gjstudios.com/food/side2day3.jpg
I've thought about sprouting on the trail. Or just pre-soaking grain/beans so they would cook quicker. Seems like it would work.
LaurieAnn
10-12-2009, 12:29
Water Bottle Sprout Garden from A Fork in the Trail
copyright 2008 Laurie Ann March
At Camp
One morning about three or four days before you want to eat the sprouts, place 2 tablespoons of sprouting seeds in your water bottle and add a cup of filtered water to the seeds. Seal the bottle and let the seeds soak for 4 to 6 hours.
Open the bottle and place two layers of cheesecloth over the opening. Secure with a rubber band. Drain the seeds well and if you are still on the move attach the bottle to the outside of your pack with the carabiner.
For the next few days all you need to do is rinse the seeds/sprouts at breakfast and dinner. To rinse just pour in about 1 cup of potable water and gently swirl the sprouts in the bottle. Then drain well. Carry the bottle with the top open and the cheesecloth in place; replace the cloth if it gets dirty. By the third or fourth day, depending on the type of seeds you’re growing, you will have crunchy sprouts.
Tips
If you will be going on a short trip, you can start the sprouts at home a day or two before you leave.
If you have leftover sprouts, keep watering them and save them for the next day.
Procras108r
10-12-2009, 12:37
Water Bottle Sprout Garden from A Fork in the Trail
copyright 2008 Laurie Ann March
At Camp
One morning about three or four days before you want to eat the sprouts, place 2 tablespoons of sprouting seeds in your water bottle and add a cup of filtered water to the seeds. Seal the bottle and let the seeds soak for 4 to 6 hours.
Open the bottle and place two layers of cheesecloth over the opening. Secure with a rubber band. Drain the seeds well and if you are still on the move attach the bottle to the outside of your pack with the carabiner.
For the next few days all you need to do is rinse the seeds/sprouts at breakfast and dinner. To rinse just pour in about 1 cup of potable water and gently swirl the sprouts in the bottle. Then drain well. Carry the bottle with the top open and the cheesecloth in place; replace the cloth if it gets dirty. By the third or fourth day, depending on the type of seeds you’re growing, you will have crunchy sprouts.
Tips
If you will be going on a short trip, you can start the sprouts at home a day or two before you leave.
If you have leftover sprouts, keep watering them and save them for the next day.
Could you also preserve / reuse your rinse water by then pouring it into your boil pot for cooking or rehydrating that day's meal?
LaurieAnn
10-12-2009, 12:42
Could you also preserve / reuse your rinse water by then pouring it into your boil pot for cooking or rehydrating that day's meal?
I've done that... but because it's already filtered (never use water straight from the source unless you are 100% sure it's safe) you can pour it straight into salsa or something that you are going to cool water rehydrate for lunch. I've done that quite a bit actually. You could also save the evening's water to boil for morning coffee or oatmeal.
Also, this works best in warm weather about 10°C (50°F) or above and you'll find on trips where it rains for an entire week and there is zero sun that the sprouts need an extra day or two.... so plan a little flexibility in your menu if they are calling for crappy weather.
jersey joe
10-12-2009, 13:37
sprouting seems like it would be a lot of work on the trail, but it seems like eating healthy is a good goal. A thought that popped into my head is, what about researching edible plants on the trail to get your nutrition?!?
LaurieAnn
10-12-2009, 16:20
Wow, seriously? You think that's a lot of work?
It takes like 30 seconds to dump in some water, drain and biner it to the back of your pack. Basically you are just watering them.
Sorry to sound negative but did you actually read the method? Or are you just assuming it's a lot of work because I described the method in such detail?
LaurieAnn
10-12-2009, 16:23
Here... just so you guys have a visual of the cheesecloth...
http://craveable.wordpress.com/2008/07/12/hello-everyone/
I also do this at home, as you can see from the fact the sprouts on my blog are in a glass jar. The method is identical really - only difference is the container. On the trail I don't bother with the extended drain time like I do at home.
unclemjm
10-12-2009, 16:27
I love fresh sprouts and have thought about growing them while on the trail as well. One type that seems to sprout quickly and taste great is the plain old, off the shelf from the grocery store lentils.
Got my stomach growling for a salad now...
datadog314
10-12-2009, 16:44
I think it's an excellent idea, but, not very practical.......the amount of finished product would not be worth the effort. Sticking with the dehydrated veggies and simply consuming a good multi-vitamin would probably be an even better idea.
I do, however, see where you're going with this.
As I plan for my thru hike, I read that dehydrated vegetables either loose or cannot maintain the nutritional properties a hiker would need.
Nah, honestly? Don't worry so much. Buy freeze dried vegetables - those work well for what you might want. You don't need a lot either - a couple Tablespoons at dinner is often all a person needs.
Often dried (and frozen!) vegetables are processed in their prime, when their freshest. OTOH, vegetables one finds in grocery stores can often be picked too early or be past their prime. So don't over think it!
Read this article for the low down on what the differences are between dehydrated and freeze dried. You can find organic veggies these days as well (check out justtomatoes.com for those)
http://www.packitgourmet.com/Freeze-Dried+%26amp%3B+Dehydrated+Explained-sp67.html
LaurieAnn
10-12-2009, 20:07
I love fresh sprouts and have thought about growing them while on the trail as well. One type that seems to sprout quickly and taste great is the plain old, off the shelf from the grocery store lentils.
Got my stomach growling for a salad now...
That's neat... I've always purchased specialty "sprouting" lentils and never thought to just do the ones I already have in the pantry. Thanks! I wonder if that would work with quinoa too?