Creating a healthy diet

How does all this fit together with hiking and a healthy lifestyle? How do we use food for fuel AND fun? Here are my top tips to integrate these strategies with a healthy balanced diet:

■ SET THE FOUNDATION

Consume a plant-centric diet, with or without meat or fish, containing plenty of variety with wholegrains, unprocessed foods and 2-3 litres of water a day.

■ PREPARE

If you have a big day planned, eat slightly more in the 2-3 days leading up, to give you adequate energy.

■ START WITH A FULL TANK

Start your day by eating and hydrating. A mixture of carbohydrates, fats and protein will serve you well, but keep fibre to a minimum.

■ FEED THE EFFORT

If you’re enjoying an easy day out, a small snack will likely suffice. If you’re heading out on a mountain day with climbs and strenuous stretches, try to eat before and during the hard sections with foods you enjoy and you like to eat.

■ REFILL

When you’re done for the day, eat some real food snacks to help you control hunger, refuel, and feel fantastic. The pub dinner is the hiker’s best friend, and there’s nothing wrong with that. But try not to over eat – it’s far better to eat a little less and truly enjoy the satisfaction.