Early morning nutrition?

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nunns
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by nunns »

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
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains." --Psalms 36:6
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JacerJack
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by JacerJack »

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!
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AlexeyD
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by AlexeyD »

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.
Sambvaughan
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by Sambvaughan »

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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Alpine Guy
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by Alpine Guy »

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.
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SchralpTheGnar
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by SchralpTheGnar »

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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Monte Meals
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by Monte Meals »

Early Morning / Late Night tasty treats ---

As with many things - it all depends.
"Beer Goggle" rules do apply.
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ZLewis
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by ZLewis »

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
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Trotter
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by Trotter »

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
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LetsGoMets
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by LetsGoMets »

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.
nunns
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by nunns »

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
"Thy righteousness is like the great mountains." --Psalms 36:6
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719BR
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Re: Early morning nutrition?

Post by 719BR »

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
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).