Winter. A magical season when the land is blanketed in virgin snow…or a dreadful time when life itself lies dormant under a mat of white evil. Regardless of your perspective, winter days are best spent outdoors, say snowshoeing, skiing or ice climbing. Whatever the activity, eating and drinking effectively are key to staying warm and maintaining performance when the temperatures dip.
Despite the heavy demands winter sports place on the body, cold temperatures will depress feelings of hunger and thirst, so these are not reliable indicators of when to eat or drink. To stay hydrated, sip rather than gulp liquids, but drink often as the body needs to replace moisture lost to sweat, dry air and digestion. Similarly, consume small amounts of food frequently, rather than eating full meals. It’s best to bring a mix of carbohydrates (e.g., dried fruit, chocolate or bread), fat (e.g., cheese or seeds) and protein (e.g., nuts or meat), with the majority being carbs.
Since a visit to the winter wonderland shouldn’t be followed by a visit to the dentist, care is required in picking out the foods to bring. Try to choose items that won’t freeze solid. Some popular energy and candy bars freeze so hard, you might as well be gnawing on a piece of wood. Not sure how your favourite snacks will behave when frozen? Toss a few in the freezer overnight. These icy treats may make for an unusual breakfast, but you’ll be able to tell in one bite which items stay pliable in the cold.
Keeping your water in liquid form is also a challenge. Traditional water containers—like uninsulated steel bottles and hydration bladders—are not appropriate in winter, as they’ll freeze solid. Even water in insulated carriers will eventually turn to ice, but you can delay that process by hours with a few simple tricks.
Click on the link below for our detailed, printer-friendly guide to winter food and drink. This information will help you make the best of those winter days, whether you’re snowshoeing in the Adirondacks or kite skiing on the ice planet Hoth.
Bon appétit!
