Eating in the “Real World” Versus Trail Eating

The holidays are over and for many people the new year is a time to clean up their diet and begin eating healthier again. While I was preparing my lunch consisting of Mexican-style chicken breast, quinoa, sweet potato, and avocado I had a thought: isn’t it funny  how what we eat in the real world directly contradicts how many of us eat on the trail?  I came up with a few examples of this –

Healthy diet: Cut down on processed foods with artificial ingredients
Hiker diet: “Artificial flavors” is your favorite ingredient.

Healthy diet: Avoid saturated fats.
Hiker diet: That icing-coated honey bun actually contains 100% of your daily value of saturated fat.

See, I really wasn't kidding!

See, I really wasn’t kidding!

Healthy diet: Stick with lower sodium choices and use salt sparingly.
Hiker diet: You actually think that Ramen packet isn’t salty enough!

Healthy diet: Try to eat each color of the rainbow every day.
Hiker diet: The only rainbow you’re tasting is that party bag of Skittles you picked up at Dollar General at your resupply.

Healthy diet: Try to limit the intake of sugary drinks.
Hiker diet: Cans of soda, the more generic the better, can make your day infinitely better.

Three happy hikers at a freshly filled Trail Magic box

Three happy hikers at a freshly filled Trail Magic box

Healthy diet: A serving size of high protein, low fat meat is the size of your palm.
Hiker diet:  A serving size of meat, the greasier the better, is directly proportional to how many mountains you climbed between your last resupply.

Healthy diet: Only eat until you feel full, then wait a few more minutes before deciding on a dessert.
Hiker diet:  Eat until they ask you to please leave the Chinese buffet.

Healthy diet: Treat yourself to sweets on special occasions.
Hiker diet: Eat a half gallon of ice cream as fast as possible with other hikers because you can.

When ice cream is too frozen to eat with your spork, the hand method is always popular.

When ice cream is too frozen to eat with your spork, the hand method is always popular.

And, my final and favorite –

Healthy diet:  Only eat when you’re hungry.
Hiker diet: I’M ALWAYS F&^#ING HUNGRY!!

These are only a few of the fun food comparisons I came up with, but I’d love to hear some of yours!  Leave me a comment here or connect with me on Facebook and let me hear them!

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Comments 3

  • Meg @ Adventures in Verdance : Jan 24th

    My favorite is —
    Healthy diet: One serving
    Hiker Diet: ENTIRE CONTAINER

    This applies to every food.

    Reply
    • Sprinkles : Jan 25th

      This one is perfect! Thanks Meg 🙂

      Reply

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