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Maintaining Good Nutrition During Trips

Michael Brady · · Wenatchee, WA · Joined Jul 2014 · Points: 1,316

Well. this is getting boring. And by the way who ends Mark with a C anyways?

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Mike Brady wrote:And by the way who ends Mark with a C anyways?
Those of us who had the good fortune of having parents that knew how to spell it correctly!
Rob D · · Queens, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 30

I posted vegan recipes because I'm vegan and it's what I eat on trips. I seriously care 0% whether someone else is or isn't, and I'm more than willing to admit that I have to eat different things to get the protein I need while climbing. I don't think vegan or non-vegan diets are better or worse because you can eat healthy or unhealthy while being both things. It's just about choosing to eat right.

bummed that someone decided to be a jerk while arguing in favor of veganism. Just let other people eat what they want. No skin off my back.

I've been making stir fry on most trips, but lately I seem to be staying at places with access to kitchens or proper stoves and haven't been limited.

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911
Rob D. wrote:I posted vegan recipes because I'm vegan and it's what I eat on trips. I seriously care 0% whether someone else is or isn't, and I'm more than willing to admit that I have to eat different things to get the protein I need while climbing. I don't think vegan or non-vegan diets are better or worse because you can eat healthy or unhealthy while being both things. It's just about choosing to eat right. bummed that someone decided to be a jerk while arguing in favor of veganism. Just let other people eat what they want. No skin off my back. I've been making stir fry on most trips, but lately I seem to be staying at places with access to kitchens or proper stoves and haven't been limited.
Actually Rob its a social issue similar to how the obesity epidemic is making all of us fit people pay WAY more for health care. Mr Dong make a good point or two and the science IS there to back it up as you probably know since you are vegan. Obviously not too many meat and potatoes kind of folks will ever change much in their diets similar to the giant ass SUV drivers who will never give up their guzzler for a Prius but it is worth occasionally reminding folks of the message.

What I want to know is when did humans start visiting the cows nipple for snacktime? Who was the first person who decided to try it? citation needed.
Chris Van Woert · · West Hartford, CT · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 0

^ Aaaaand this is why vegans have the reputation that they do.

Miiiike, I would love to see this "science" you're referring to. Meat has been a staple of our diet for about 2.5 million years when our ancestors began to encephalize (ie grow larger brains than other primates) and learn to use tools to hunt. There is a pile of archaeological evidence to support this.

On the other hand, agriculture was not developed until about 10,000 years ago, when we began to transition away from hunter-gatherer behaviors - not nearly enough time for our metabolism to adapt to this new type of diet in any meaningful way.

This is all easily confirmed with a quick google search. You can eat whatever you want, I don't have a problem if people don't want to eat meat. I do have a problem with people waving away opposing views because "science" without pointing to any actual evidence.

mark felber · · Wheat Ridge, CO · Joined Jul 2005 · Points: 41
Mike Brady wrote:Well. this is getting boring. And by the way who ends Mark with a C anyways?
People all over Europe.
M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911
Chris Van Woert wrote:^ Aaaaand this is why vegans have the reputation that they do. Miiiike, I would love to see this "science" you're referring to. Meat has been a staple of our diet for about 2.5 million years when our ancestors began to encephalize (ie grow larger brains than other primates) and learn to use tools to hunt. There is a pile of archaeological evidence to support this. On the other hand, agriculture was not developed until about 10,000 years ago, when we began to transition away from hunter-gatherer behaviors - not nearly enough time for our metabolism to adapt to this new type of diet in any meaningful way. This is all easily confirmed with a quick google search. You can eat whatever you want, I don't have a problem if people don't want to eat meat. I do have a problem with people waving away opposing views because "science" without pointing to any actual evidence.
I dont deny humans eat meat and always have(I do) so how about you do your own research into the damage that cattle alone do to this planet, then move on to the damage that factory farming has done. I've done it, its not pretty. the word 'sustainable' comes to mind, maybe try and google 'sustainable factory farming' and see what comes up. Its not about eating meat, its about how we go about it (if you are the type that gives a shit).

My favorite food for an extended trip is homemade beef jerky, marinated in soy and hot pepper sauce!
Chris Van Woert · · West Hartford, CT · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 0

Well now you're just moving the goalposts. Nobody was talking about the environmental impacts of meat production, of which I'm sure there are plenty. There are also significant impacts from pretty much every form of agriculture:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envir…

But that's not what we're talking about. This discussion was in response to someone claiming that a vegan diet is nutritionally superior to one containing meat.

Will S · · Joshua Tree · Joined Nov 2006 · Points: 1,061

Back on topic....

Protein is usually the tough thing to deal with, especially since things like canned chili have astronomical salt and fat content. I go the whey protein powder and canned fish route on trips with a smattering of bars for on-route/at the crag snacks. Protein powder goes into a drink or mixes into oatmeal, sardines and herring are loaded with omega 3s and have minimal heavy metals accumulation (large predator fish higher on the food chain tend to accumulate more metals, specifically mercury, with tuna being a relevant example here since canned tuna is cheap and common).

I don't eat legumes anyway, and many other things people claim are good for protein...nut butters for example, actually have little protein and are almost totally fats (read a label sometime). Not that they aren't healthy in moderation, just not a big source of protein.

Produce is always the difficult one. At home I'm eating steamed veggies almost every day. Broccoli, kale, etc are my staple foods. Kale "chips" (just oven dried kale) can work, but the green produce is what I always struggle with on trips.

As for the egg refrig thing, anyone who's worked in a grocery (my first job, 1988) will tell you that they only go into the cooler for sales. The bulk of the stock is sitting in the back, unrefrigerated (or was in our stores anyway).

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911
Chris Van Woert wrote:Well now you're just moving the goalposts. Nobody was talking about the environmental impacts of meat production, of which I'm sure there are plenty. There are also significant impacts from pretty much every form of agriculture: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envir… But that's not what we're talking about. This discussion was in response to someone claiming that a vegan diet is nutritionally superior to one containing meat.
I was talking about it as a social issue, you went off like the thought eating vegan food made your butt hurt.

As far as steaming food, my favorite is while cooking up a couple cups of 20 or 50 minute rice, throwing some veggies in on top with about 10 minutes to go then some cheese at the very end. Barely any time cooking and very little cleanup involved. Hard to do with a stove that wont simmer though.
Chris Van Woert · · West Hartford, CT · Joined Feb 2015 · Points: 0
Miike wrote: I was talking about it as a social issue, you went off like the thought eating vegan food made your butt hurt.

Haha I "went off"? I said verbatim that I don't mind at all if people eat vegan. All I asked for was a citation from you and Mr. Dong to back up your claims that a vegan diet is "scientifically proven" to be superior.

Methinks someone else is a little "butthurt" at having their views challenged.
mountainhick · · Black Hawk, CO · Joined Mar 2009 · Points: 120

FOOD FIGHT!

Marc801 C · · Sandy, Utah · Joined Feb 2014 · Points: 65
Will S wrote:As for the egg refrig thing, anyone who's worked in a grocery (my first job, 1988) will tell you that they only go into the cooler for sales. The bulk of the stock is sitting in the back, unrefrigerated (or was in our stores anyway).
Things were very different in 1988. That practice is illegal in the majority of states. Stores doing this would be issued a citation and would need to destroy their stock. Repeat offenders would face at least temporary closure as an imminent public health hazard.

Salmonella is endemic in eggs and chickens in the US. While the majority of salmonella strains (there are over 2000) won't kill you (some can), would you really want to be vomiting and having the squirts for 2-7 days and possibly needing a trip to the hospital on your climbing trip?
20 kN · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Feb 2009 · Points: 1,346

Just get a 12v freezer and call it a day. You can get them for $350 online. They are worth it if you are going to be living in your car long term. It really sucks to climb a big line only to come back to camp and have the same-old boring canned goods waiting for you. Since a very significant amount of food sold in stores requires refrigeration, adding a fridge literally increases your options 3x.

M Mobley · · Bar Harbor, ME · Joined Mar 2006 · Points: 911
Chris Van Woert wrote: Methinks someone else is a little "butthurt" at having their views challenged.
coming from the guy who hasnt contributed one thing to the original question of the thread...yeahhhh

Bringing along some really green bananas and some avocados that are a few days away from being ripe is always a good one too for later in the week.
Mary Wangen · · Chapel Hill, NC · Joined Oct 2010 · Points: 80

These cost money but they come in all shapes and sizes:

dometic.com/USA/MS-7207-Rec…

And they don't care if you're vegan. You can put whatever you want in them - judgement free.

Happiegrrrl · · Gunks · Joined Dec 2005 · Points: 60
Boissal wrote: Electricity is a product? Interesting concept. If you share your mailing address I'll send you tinfoil for a nice shinny hat...
Yes, it is a product. You may refer to it as a"utility" and may have come to believe it is a necessity, but there was a time not long when people survived without it.

Marc801 wrote: Out of curiosity, have you ever had the "24-hour flu"? How about a good case of the runs?
Truthfully? No, I have not. In the last ten years, I have had two colds. I had my first headache in years a few months ago, and I did have to go to the doctor last year because I thought there was a piece of rock in my eye and people were freaking out thinking it was conjunctivitis, accusing me of putting them at dire risk of infection. It turned out I may have a mild case of Sjogren's Syndrome.

Believe it or not, I haven't even had to rush to the bathroom in the time I have been sans-fridge. That was never a regular issue, but I certainly DO recall it happeneing when I lived in NYC(and had all the modern necessities)

No one is required to unplug their fridges and use them for added gear storage capacity just because I have found it is not a requirement. It's certainly a convenience to have it, and I DO use electricity. Just haven't paid for it directly in six years(but if you count the times I buy a coffee or sandwich in a deli for the "free wifi" because I need to charge my laptop... I certainly AM paying for it indirectly. I wouls also really LIKE to have a propane fridge in my cabin, for summertime cold drinks and being able to have cold foods. But they cost at least $700 last I looked. It's more than I can currently budget for.

But the guy wanted to know about eating without the ice/electricity, and it is a disservice to say he will surely die if he tries to eat certain foods without keeping them refrigeated. He can, hopefully, decide for himself what spectacular risks in life he will choose to take.

Mike Brady wrote:And by the way who ends Mark with a C anyways?
My father did, but it wasn't his given name. It was a nickname he got in high school, his last name(Marcoe) shortened.
Altered Ego · · Unknown Hometown · Joined Jul 2008 · Points: 0

Chris,

Please provide some citations to back up your opinions. There a plenty of cultures around the world that survive on an vegetarian diet. Not everyone eats the way affluent and generally misguided Americans eat. America is one of the most unhealthy industrialized nations and largest consumer of meats.

What was our diet before our ancestors climbed out of the trees? Humans never stopped eating plants and nuts when we incorporated meat into the diet, regardless of the agricultural revolution.

Maybe someone should try an all meat diet and see how that goes. Inuits? Eating meat is also eating fear, anxiety, stress and you are, as they say, what you eat. No wonder Americans suffer so much mental illness.

It's not about moving goal posts as you say but rather pointing out there are many things to consider in our eating habits.

Point is "maintaining good nutrition during trips" is much easier if one eliminates the unnecessary meat and dairy from the diet. Why look for a technological solution to a self created problem? That just leads to an unnecessarily complex lifestyle.

Rob D · · Queens, NY · Joined May 2011 · Points: 30

while everyone is digging their trenches to aimlessly defend themselves and attack each other, I'm going to mention that things like bagels have 10grams of protein (more than a cliff bar) which isn't amazing, but if you put peanut butter on it, or make your own before you leave, you end up eating the same amount of protein as you would with one of those "builder" bars. There are enough sources of protein like this, that even if you aren't eating meat on a trip (whether because of moral issues or because it's hard to keep it from spoiling) you can still consume a good deal of protein. If you let beans and rice sit overnight they form into a weird paste, which sounds disgusting, but if you seasoned it correctly the night before then you can toss them in a tortilla and it's a great thing to have in your bag. Obviously things like avocados, plantains, etc can go in there as well without spoiling or messing up the taste.

The one issue I run into is consuming way too much sodium. It seems like any sort of food that is pre-packaged has preservatives (which help in keeping them on trips) but also have piles of sodium. I guess while on a trip this isn't a huge deal, but it's hard not to notice when you're 700mg of sodium in your body with one meal.

highaltitudeflatulentexpulsion · · Colorado · Joined Oct 2012 · Points: 35

The process of growing and harvesting most meat is bad for the environment. Anyone who really looks into the issue will see that.

It would take a huge shift in culture and palate to source more responsible proteins like guinea pig (2 lb food to create 1lb meat vs cattle, 6lb food to create 1lb meat) or insects.

I can't say I'm doing my part. I get twitchy if I go 3 days without bacon. This post makes me want to grill a burger, and I probably will. I eat 2 eggs 6 days a week. I'm not likely to change my behavior without a global calamity that forces a change. In that way, I'm just like almost everyone else.

With our current population and farming/ranching methods, we will probably see that global calamity in our lifetimes. Will that mean we're eating cricket steak? Or will a more efficient process to harvest tasty meat come up? Will the anti-vaxxers effectively reduce the world population to a manageable size?

Back on topic. When out for extended time I just buy things that don't need a ton of refrigeration, utilize the shade, and I'm quite happy to buy ice. It's not rocket surgery. Even if it's too salty or too sugary, I figure I'm getting more exercise and sweating more than normal so I can handle it. The bigger problem with road trips for me health wise is the increase in beer intake from 1-2 a night to 3-5.

Guideline #1: Don't be a jerk.

General Climbing
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