[sarbar]

Potatoes though are a good source of potassium, highly useful. Fish may be low calorie but is high in protein. Calories are not everything IMO.

[onemoremile]

I would agree with sarbar's statement about protein. I pack my food for a trip based on protein first, then calories, and finally weight. I figure if I need energy, my body will burn the fat it needs; but can't repair muscle damage and atrophy without protein. The thumbrule I try to use is 2 grams protein per lb of body weight per day. I actually find this to be difficult to meet without packing beef jerky, nuts, and the snickers energy bars.

[skookum olympus]

2 gm/# Body Weight? Oof that seems like a lot! I've been working with the same calculations myself, and use the same approach as you in general, but had been going with a daily of 1gm/# of Lean Body Mass. Still, at that, it seems like a lot of protein to pack. I follow the Primal Blueprint program, and since adopting it, and following the principle of planning hiking meals first for protein needs, then calories, and in general avoiding carbs, I'm getting a lot more energy and stamina with a lot less pain. Better hikes all the way around. Let me get all geeky about it ... My primary source of calories is fat. Last year, I used a lot of coconut milk powder in my chai tea. I sweetened it with honey (big cost in weight), but am planning to use Stevia this year. I also relied on whole milk powder and coconut milk powder, parmesan cheese and butter powder for fats in my dinners. I always had a trailmix bag of nuts (with dried berries), with some shredded coconut for snacking thru the day. Protein was my second source of calories. I calculate how much to bring each day, and supply that with a chia seed hot 'cereal' that included some dried apples and cinnamon spice in the morning, almonds, pecans and walnuts thru the day, and dehydrated seasoned ground beef (done at home). I also utilized foil-paks of tuna for lunch and foil-packs of chicken for dinner. The chicken or beef are combined with a sauce packet I'd pre-measured at home (coconut powder with curry spice for one, and whole milk, butter, parmesan and spices for another) and hot water FBC style. I have found, the hard way, that on longer trips, of say 3 nights out or more, that variety is very important. Last year, I was able to pack all my food for a 9-day trip in one Garcia Bear Canister. Between 2 meats and 2 sauces, I had 4 dinners. I am working on 2 new recipes for this year. Conceivably, I could eat something different each night for weeks. I've lost a large amount of weight over the last two years (thanks Primal Blueprint!), and am realizing that I should better calculate my menus for this season. I've a little "N=1" experiment going on again this year, and will be seeing what I can do to plan for 4000 kcal/day with 155 gm protein/day. It seems like so much more than I did last year, but my readings indicate I will still be operating at a 20% daily caloric deficit. As I get to my target body composition, I'll continue to re-calculate my menu, eventually allowing for a 5000 kcal/day menu. My experience is that the lower carb I go, paying attention to my protein and caloric needs, has had remarkably positive results. I do allow carbs, but supply them with berries and dried fruit. I do not pack rice, potatoes or any kind of grain. Sometimes, I think I might think about things too much...

[pimaCanyon]

actually, the honey is not a big cost in weight. It's all carbs with a little moisture added, so a little heavier than dried honey or sugar, but not much. Honey has 3 calories per gram, sugar has 4. Carbs and protein both have the same number of calories per gram. Fat has more than twice what carbs and protein have, as you know since you're emphasizing getting your calories from fat. So keep eating the honey! Maple syrup is also a good sweetener and also comes in at about 3 cal/gram.

[sarbar]

And one can get maple syrup in granular form as well!

[ONELUV1]

[packgoat]

Adventure racing. I crewed for my son on one of his RAAMs and since he was on the bike for 22 hours he took all his nourishment by powder in water. Also had a friend who did the PCT alone and after breakfast she poured a set amount of powder in a water bottle and sipped all day, replenishing as needed. Did not stop for lunch but rested 10 minutes/hour. Ate a light dinner. She averaged 14.3 miles/day at age 60. She tried to maintain 2MPH up, level, and down. The following year she soloed the App. trail the same way. Sandra Johnson, might have a web site.

[pnw.hiker]

I used to start my trips by pounding a sixpack at the trailhead. Tinderbox calories.

[mbtigger]

I would almost think that soybeans would be an ideal food, having a large amount of protien and not all that expensive. Not sure how well they dry after cooking though. They make soy pasta and soy flour don't they? Seems like a nice way to have convenient dry protien on the trial...

[sarbar]

Freeze-dried edamame is sooo good You can find it usually in the snack section in the natural food section at Fred Meyers!

[Pastor Kyes]

Now your talking! Throw in a hunk of cheese and some hard dinner rolls and you can go for a couple days easy.

[Ziploc]

I've added Dried Tofu to my food favorites. Not everyone likes it but it works well in soups. It needs to be soaked for about 10 min before adding to hot soup and then I give it another 5 min. It's made by Eden Foods. I'll add 3 or 4 pieces to a meal.

[wamtngal]