Healthy Nordic walking snacks
Many of you are beginning to tackle some longer Nordic walks, which means you need to consider taking food to eat along the way as well as water. If you don’t you may suffer an energy slump (which cyclists call ‘bonking’ btw) part way through. My personal favourite snack is home roasted nuts and seeds – see recipe below. Here’s some more handy nutritional advice if you plan to be on your feet for an extended period of time:
- Carbohydrate-rich foods, fats, and healthy sugars are a good source of energy and will help you keep the pace and prevent exhaustion from setting in.
- Go for foods that provide long-lasting energy, rather than a short-term sugar-rush. A Trail mix, which combines nuts and dried fruits, or energy bars are an excellent, high energy snack.
- Fresh fruit also has a high water content so can help to keep you hydrated. Bananas are high in potassium and natural sugars and harder fruit like apples and pears are compact and easy to pack. Pack softer fruit with care at the top of your rucksack to avoid it getting squashed and take plastic bags to avoid anything leaking into your kit. Chocolate gives you a good boost of energy so it’s always handy to keep a couple of bars on you.
- If you’re going on a longer walk, it’s better to snack on small amounts throughout the day rather than eating one big meal. This will help you keep your blood sugar levels up and avoid painful cramps.
Healthy nuts
- Slosh some olive oil in a frying pan and heat gently.
- Add a variety of nuts and seeds (cashew/walnut/pistachio/pumpkin seeds etc) together with a small crushed garlic clove and a bit of chilli if you fancy it.
- Once nuts and seeds begin to brown, stir in a little soy sauce, take pan off the heat and leave to cool.
- Keep in an airtight container and hide from your husband and children!
50 ways to lace your boots
I was fascinated to come across an article by Mountain Warehouse on how to lace walking boots. I have standard feet so boots have always fitted me easily but I know many of you don’t. Their blog is essential reading if you have narrow feet, wide feet or a high instep. It also shows the ‘heel lock’ method (sounds like some martial arts manoever); how to deal with damaged boots; and tying off – click here for their full article.
