Maximizing calories by weight

[markc7]

Let's say hypothetically that I was planning to run very long distances on at least four consecutive days, while carrying all my food for the trip on my back.

 

One of the major factors at play will be getting enough total calories to sustain up to ten hours of exercise for several days, while limiting as much as possible the amount of weight that I carry. Of course, I would have to eat food that's tasty, filling, and most importantly the right kind of calories.

 

Any thoughts? What kinds of foods would you eat in this situation?

[Guest]

I think nuts and seeds are great if you are decent at using fat for energy but most aren't so I'd say go with dates. I carry them in my back pockets on my bike and they seem to do the trick for me. Plus they're small yet hit you fast so you don't need to keep taking a bar out of your pockets. If you want a bar I'd say go with VEGA...nothing beats it.

[markc7]

Thanks potter. Nuts and dates were at the top of my list. I'm just doubting that I'll be able to eat nothing but that for four days straight. I'm thinking dried fruit as well, but I'm going to want something savoury once in a while. Vega is pretty expensive, so while I might use bars and the drink to supplement what I'm eating, they won't be a main source of calories.

[Guest]

Maybe you can try making some kind of savory nut bar. Soak some nuts/seeds, then add some seasoning and agave or dates to make it stick but not make it sweet. I think that should do the trick. You can add some spirulina or chlorella to that too which will help you on the run.

[andgbr]

all the dehydrated stuff are really light and they're usually high on calories, the problem is that you'll have to drink something so you won't dehydrate as well... but water is kinda heavy comparing to nuts and seeds, dehydrated stuff etc..

in other words,

all the light stuff w/ a lot of calories is probably have little or no water in which you need a lot...

[artystik]

I ate a good amount of sunbutter one day, and I jogged about 2 times the distance than I was able to at a normal level.