Trail Food & Diet Based Illness

[Tea In The Trees]

This year I was diagnosed with hemochromatosis. A disease that affects the liver. The main cause of problems is anything containing IRON. Truth be told, most high calorie snacks & trail foods contain large amounts of Iron.

I was just wondering if anyone else on here has this disease, or has any other diseases that affect your hiking. I know its extremely hard for me to plan out meals when a large amount of things I can't eat without getting sick.

I have a friend who's into hiking, but doesn't want to do long distance hiking because he's got diabetes.

Anyways, thought it'd be cool to have a topic about things like that, for others to share their stories and ideas for trail foods/diets that would work for people with "problems". -Nate

[rocketsocks]

Apparently the once thought rare hemochromatosis is more prevalent than first thought. Just last year alone I've had 3 friends be treated for this by blood letting...no leaches involved. As far a your friend with diabetes, I've always thought walking was good for that condition, hmm. As the old saying goes "if ya ain't got your health, ya ain't got nothin" sucks gettin' old.

[Tea In The Trees]

I have a pint taken from me once a month to keep me healthy. I almost died from it. I'm only 32 btw. I have hereditary Hermochromatosis btw, not Alcohol based version, which is cased by consuming to much alcohol and basically drunkenly killing yourself. I have a friend who has had most of his family die from it. Just wondering about food suggestions for LOW iron foods for trail consumption. Well aware it isn't rare, it doesn't mean it isn't hard to find food that doesn't make you feel weak, fatigued or sick. -Nate

[rocketsocks]

Sorry, hit send to quick. Good topic, and I'll just add to kick it off...stay off the junk food when shopping at quickly marts off the trail (good luck with that). Eating small meals throughout the day, or rather nibbling all day as apposed to a large meal at the end of the day to help with sugar spikes. Look forward to following this thread, as I too could use some help in this area

[rocketsocks]

I have a pint taken from me once a month to keep me healthy. I almost died from it. I'm only 32 btw. I have hereditary Hermochromatosis btw, not Alcohol based version, which is cased by consuming to much alcohol and basically drunkenly killing yourself. I have a friend who has had most of his family die from it. Just wondering about food suggestions for LOW iron foods for trail consumption. Well aware it isn't rare, it doesn't mean it isn't hard to find food that doesn't make you feel weak, fatigued or sick. -Nate

ok, didn't realize alcohol plays a roll in it, now this makes sense to me, as me old chums are heavy drankers.

[rocketsocks]

If one has a sodium issue, lay off the manufacture big name dehydrated meals, buy a dehydrator, and make your own food, very rewarding and not a large amount of cash to get started.

[Tea In The Trees]

started investing in that myself. My wife has heart problems, so salt is a big issue, and I have iron problems, so that is a big issue. Your average "backpackers" meal has 1000mgs+ of sodium and 30-70% iron. Not healthy for anyone, but really not for us.

Btw, anyone with Hemochromatosis should eat vegan on the trail, and drink large amounts of low caffeine tea. Tea has tannins in it that help to regulate and block the absorption of Non-Heme Iron (Plant based iron) We tend to stick with Alpine Aire Vegan meals, they are lower in sodium and are veggie only non-heme iron, so I can block the iron, and my wife can avoid high sodium meals.

But yes, we are trying to make meals ourselves. Any pointers on recipes for us?

Btw, wasn't saying it was drinking that caused your friends problems, just that it can make it worse. I actually didn't start having alot of issues, until I started drinking bourbon again, and it almost killed me. -Nate

[Another Kevin]

But yes, we are trying to make meals ourselves. Any pointers on recipes for us?

http://www.trailcooking.com/

[Canadian_Hiker]

What a great topic! I will be following this for awhile. I was one of the luck ones and was able to loose weight and get in good shape. I use to have high blood pressure, slightly high sugar and about 105 lbs over weight. Now I am 125lbs lighter and have a clean bill of health. However, eating these mountain house meals and such scare me worse the. A horror movie when I look at the label on the back! I am always looking for healthy options for the trail.


Canadian_Hiker
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