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It’s cold. It’s beautiful. You’ve dressed just right. You’ve carried all your gear into the car and back out. Do you have the right fuel to keep you (happily) going until you get back to heated civilization? Here are some things to consider when choosing cold-weather snacks.
Smooshability
Or is it unsmooshable? You know what I mean — things that are still delicious after taking a hit while getting to know a tree, well, a little too well. This rules out bananas, chips, delicate crackers, and soft bread.
Edible frozen
There’s nothing quite like getting to a point in your adventure when you need food only to open it up to realize it is hard as rock. My personal experience rules out Clif bars and shot blocks. I imagine Kind bars are out as well. If you’re worried about your favorite snack freezing, store it in a pocket of your inside layer or cut it into bite-sized pieces before you go out.
Sleek/Flat/Pocket-friendly
Many snow sports lend well to carrying a backpack (snowshoeing, hiking, and cross-country skiing), but some other snow sports not as much (downhill resort skiing). Or maybe you’d just prefer to not wear a backpack (me!). If this is the case, minimize bulk by considering snacks that are flat rather than spherical. Apple: bad. Fruit leather: good.
Carbs
Get the most bang for your buck by packing energy-boosting snacks — that means embracing the carbs. Fruit, granola bars, hearty bread, even a little bit of sugar, such as candy or chocolate, can help keep you going. Some protein mixed in (nuts, jerky, and cheese) is a great way to keep your hunger at bay, but carbs are what you want to keep up with your buddies and avoid the hangries.
Here are some delightful snacks that meet the above criteria. What are your favorite winter go-to snacks?
Fruit, nut and chocolate trail mix
Figgy Pops (found in Harmons healthy checkout lanes)
Single serving nut butter packets
Kind granola bars
Larabars
Siggi’s yogurt tubes
Dried fruit
Peanut butter and jelly on hearty 7 grain bread (found in Harmons bakery)*
String cheese with fruit leather or fruit snacks
Cheese slices with Triscuits
*My all-time favorite — so good cold and so satisfying
Lastly, Water!
Not technically a snack, but water is important to bring. Even though it’s cold, our exercising bodies still need water to stay hydrated. Our thirst mechanism isn’t as sensitive in cold weather, so be sure to drink up even if thirst hasn’t hit yet. To prevent it from freezing, carry a bladder system on your inner layer and “blow” the water back out of your drinking tube when not in use. Or invest in an insulated tube or water bottle. Movement slows freezing too, so if you’re using a regular water bottle for a trip less than a day, you’re probably good to go!