Thru-hikers face enough challenges without adding dietary restrictions to the mix. Yet here comes the carnivore diet, strutting onto the trail with its promises of endless energy and superior muscle recovery. Sure, packing jerky beats lugging around soggy granola. But try explaining to your trail buddies why you're gnawing on pemmican while they share gummy bears. The real kicker? Those small-town resupply stops aren't exactly known for their meat selection.
While thru-hikers tend to load up on high-calorie but low nutrient value items like Snickers and instant noodles, a small number are beginning to ditch processed garbage and plants altogether for an all-meat approach. The carnivore diet, consisting purely of animal products, is gaining traction among long-distance hikers seeking sustained energy and reduced inflammation.
If you take time to adapt properly to the diet you will have vast supply of energy from body fat available, as well as the option to fast and use electrolytes.
Let's face it - carrying around bags of noodles or rice isn't exactly revolutionary. A meat-only approach offers some distinct advantages on the trail. Fat adaptation means hikers can go longer between meals without the dreaded energy crashes. Ruminent meats contain essential vitamins A and B, making them valuable additions to a hiker's carnivore diet.
Highly packable meats include pemmican, jerky, and packet chicken or fish provide concentrated calories without the bulk. That's right - no more lugging around pounds of granola.
Judy Cho | Nutrition With Judy on nutritionwithjudy.com
The high protein content might also help with muscle recovery, while some hikers report improvements in joint pain and digestive issues. But it's not all sunshine and ribeyes out there. Finding carnivore-friendly options in small trail towns can be a real pain. Those gas station hot dogs start looking pretty sketchy after a few weeks. This is why I am a fan of over eating good food in town, getting a big steak or multiple burger patties and then having a more fasted approach between towns.
High-protein trail meals help the body bounce back, but good luck finding quality meat options in remote resupply stops.
The diet requires careful thought and planning and food storage can become vital if and when you choose to pack perishable meats or cheeses. Plus, there's the whole social aspect - good luck joining in when your trail family breaks out the communal forms of meals, or things like trail magic become hit or miss.
The environmental impact raises some eyebrows too. A meat-heavy diet leaves a carbon footprint just like other typical hiker fare, and sourcing ethical animal products on the trail presents its own challenges.
Proper disposal of meat packaging is critical in bear country. Nobody wants an unexpected midnight visitor.
Cost is another factor that can't be ignored. Quality animal products don't come cheap, and frequent resupply stops might have your wallet feeling lighter than your pack. The initial adaptation period can also be rough - please don't choose to switch to carnivore while trying to tackle serious miles, it won't be a walk in the park.
But for those willing to navigate the challenges, the carnivore approach offers a unique solution to the age-old question of trail nutrition. Just don't expect to make many friends at the hiker buffet.
