You are ready. Kit selected and laid out. It's an early one, alarms set (many of them and check a stupid amount of times!). Snacks... WOT NO SNACKS?!?!?! We all know that all the kit, training and prep means nothing if you don't fuel your body for the adventure. We all have our favourites, but if you need a little inspiration then here are mine. Sometimes you might just want to mix it up.

Finding a snack that’s tasty, nutrient dense and gives you that essential energy boost can be a little trick, mostly because of the vast array of choices we now have. Here are my top 5 goto snacks. when I'm off the bike, it's not a run, but I'm somewhere beautiful and I'm up for the hike

1. SEASONAL FRUIT

Giving you the antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fibre you need. Along with that immediate energy boost you’ll be craving, your favorite fruit is a great hiking snack. Simply slice and dice a few of your favorites and throw them in a tupperware box or reusable bag. Apples, berries, pears, bananas and even kiwi.ㅤㅤ

2. SANDWICHES

For that lunchtime stop you want something filling, light and totally delicious. You can't argue with Paddington Bear right! Sandwiches are a hiking staple, but we all know too well that they never taste as good as when you make them fresh the night before. To avoid the classic soggy sandwich here are a few combo's that will work perfectly; Ham, salad with pickle or salad cream, tuna with cucumber or cheese and tomato. Of course if you want to go hard core on the energy you can't argue with Aunt Lucy and her staple Marmalade Sandwich, but do think about the sugar drop. 

3. PEANUT BUTTER AND BANANA

When those knees are shaking and the calves are starting to cramp, reach for a banana. High in potassium which will help with muscle contractions and nerve signals, bananas are the perfect easy snack. Want a little extra? Mash the banana up with some peanut butter and pop it into a Tupperware container. Salty peanut butter really cuts through, replenishing a little sodium is never a bad idea for avoiding cramp and the slow release energy from the high fat content of peanut butter can work well. 

4. HUMMUS AND VEGGIE STICKS

Chickpeas are amazing at helping fight inflammation, so this can be the perfect snack if you are gaining a little altitude and starting to swell in the hands and feet. Cucumber is 95% water which is a helpful secondary source of hydration, chop it up with your favourite vegetables and dip into the hummus for a nutrient dense savoury alternative that is easy to carry and easy to eat.

5. NUTS, SEEDS AND RAISINS 

Nuts are tasty, convenient, and make the perfect snack and if you couple then with raisins then you are getting a really effective energy release food; fast energy from the sugar in raisins coupled with the slow release from fat in nuts. Perfect, just don't choke on them when you are in the arse end of nowhere with no mobile signal and the nearest road is... You get the point ;)  

Photo Credit : Photo by Eric Sanman