Pop tarts work well for me. Other people not so much. Go with whatever works for you. I have coached distance runners for 25 years. Some kids eat on Saturday morning before a long run; others don't, and there is no relationship between that and how fast they are. Personally I hate starting a run or a long hike with nothing in my stomach, but I can eat 5 minutes before a workout without issues. Not everyone is the same.
Sean Nunn
Early morning nutrition?
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains." --Psalms 36:6
Re: Early morning nutrition?
Thanks everyone for the great suggestions so far!
Hadn't thought about pop tarts - how could I have been so blind?! Sounds like that is a popular go-to for lots of folks... will definitely be adding those to the mix, along with some of these other suggestions (didn't know McDanks in Idaho Springs was open that early). Nice!
Hadn't thought about pop tarts - how could I have been so blind?! Sounds like that is a popular go-to for lots of folks... will definitely be adding those to the mix, along with some of these other suggestions (didn't know McDanks in Idaho Springs was open that early). Nice!
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
Coffee and a bagel with cream cheese usually does it for me. If there’s a long drive to the trailhead (like more than a couple hours), I may try to manage a second bagel partway through the drive. PB&J is a decent backup too if no bagels.
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
I’ve been good with pop tarts and a couple hard boiled eggs, a bagel, or stuff like that. I typically don’t go crazy with breakfast - id rather keep it simple and get on the trail earlier. I can sustain myself on the mountain with granola bars, protein bars, some fruit and stuff like this throughout the day. I would agree with everyone else, though - a good meal the night before goes a long long way.
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
I need something substantial in the morning but, like others, I just don't have much appetite before 9am. I'll usually stop at a McDonalds and get 2 sausage egg mcmuffins along with coffee. I manage to choke the first one down on the drive and the 2nd one actually tastes great 2-3hrs later. Then it's clif bars or gel for the rest of the hike.
Roll No Rocks
Re: Early morning nutrition?
No breakfast and just simple sugars throughout the day, maybe a clif bar if I’m hungry. For me the eating is all about the day or two after the hike.
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
Early Morning / Late Night tasty treats ---
As with many things - it all depends.
"Beer Goggle" rules do apply.
As with many things - it all depends.
"Beer Goggle" rules do apply.
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
I've found the best (most delicious and easy) solution to night-before protein/carb-loading and easy breakfast is to buy a pizza. Eat most for dinner and save two slices for the morning. Can be done with a microwave in a cheap motel room, or without, eaten cold while driving to the trailhead.
"He who climbs Mt. Fuji is a wise man; he who climbs it twice is a fool." - Japanese proverb
Re: Early morning nutrition?
I also find it difficult to force down food in the morning, especially at elevation. My solution is drink the calories... a protein shake or almond milk thingy.
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. -Nelson Mandela
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
Whenever I climb I am followed by a dog called Ego. -Nietzsche
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
Simple carbs the day before (pasta) and water, simple sugars in the morning (Clif bar).
Look up regiments for a day or two before running a race and apply it to climbing. Its less about what you scarf an hour before moving and more about the 24-36 hours prior.
Look up regiments for a day or two before running a race and apply it to climbing. Its less about what you scarf an hour before moving and more about the 24-36 hours prior.
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
Not to derail the thread, or tell you something you already know but the better question might be: what should I eat after I finish a hike/climb?
The answer is a big meal with plenty of carbs and protein, as soon as possible after you finish. Especially if you are hiking/climbing again soon.
Sorry for the tangent. The physiology teacher in me couldn't resist.
Sean Nunn
The answer is a big meal with plenty of carbs and protein, as soon as possible after you finish. Especially if you are hiking/climbing again soon.
Sorry for the tangent. The physiology teacher in me couldn't resist.
Sean Nunn
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains." --Psalms 36:6
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Re: Early morning nutrition?
i have a protein shake i drink immediately after getting back to the car. helps with hydration as well as the protein. i then go about changing / cleaning up and finding a good meal (carb and protein heavy).nunns wrote: ↑Tue Jul 16, 2019 11:53 am Not to derail the thread, or tell you something you already know but the better question might be: what should I eat after I finish a hike/climb?
The answer is a big meal with plenty of carbs and protein, as soon as possible after you finish. Especially if you are hiking/climbing again soon.
Sorry for the tangent. The physiology teacher in me couldn't resist.
Sean Nunn