Whitewater rafting is the perfect way to get some exercise, bond with your family, and enjoy the beauty of nature all at the same time. It also requires a lot of energy, so you must fuel yourself with the right snacks. Your snack choices should contain a combination of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to keep energy levels up. In addition, sticking to vegan choices ensures you can share your snacks with everyone in the group. If you have a whitewater rafting trip coming up shortly, here are eight vegan snack ideas to include in your pack.
1. Hummus and Crackers
This well-rounded snack provides carbohydrates from the crackers and protein and fats from the hummus. If you’re embarking on a multi-day rafting trip, consider toting powdered hummus.
2. Dried Fruit
Dried fruit is high in natural sugars, which provides a small energy boost. Its fiber content will also help you feel satiated and stave off hunger so you can focus on powering through your trip. Apricots, figs, and raisins are just some examples of the types of fruit that are easy to find in dried form.
3. Protein Bars
Most protein bars on the market today are formulated with athletes in mind, making them perfect for whitewater rafting. They are also compact and individually packaged, and you can easily slip one into your zipper pocket or lunch box without taking up much space.
4. Trail Mix
Convenient, lightweight, and shelf-stable, trail mix is an enduring outdoor snack for a few good reasons. A balanced mix of roasted nuts, dried fruit, pretzels, or popcorn provides all the macronutrients your body needs to stay in motion. It’s just as easy to make your own as it is to pick up a bag at the store.
5. Nut Butter Pouches
Nut butter is high in protein, fat, and sugar, and you can beef up the nutrition content by spreading it on whole grain bread or some crunchy fruit. Pouches make it even easier to pack and enjoy your nut butter in the wilderness. Peanut butter is always a classic choice. Some other options include almonds, cashew, and sunflower butter.
6. Hydration Packs or Sports Drink Mixes
Anytime you’re engaging in an activity that makes you sweat, your body loses small amounts of electrolytes. With that said, an entire day of rafting can leave you with an electrolyte imbalance, which contributes to muscle cramping and fatigue. An easy solution to this problem is to bring along hydration packs, sports drink mixes, or other dissolvable powders that contain potassium, magnesium, and sodium.
7. Sandwiches
Sandwiches are satisfying enough to be a meal and completely customizable. Plus, most commercially available sandwich breads are already vegan. Some possible filling ideas include peanut butter, vegan meat or cheese substitutes, vegan mayo, pickles, avocado, or leafy greens.
8. Vegan Jerky
For something satisfyingly tasty and chewy, you can never go wrong with vegan jerky. Plant-based protein will stabilize your energy levels while the salt and carbohydrate content fuel your hardworking muscles. In addition, there are multiple delicious brands to choose from that are nearly indistinguishable from actual meat jerky.
