S2E3: Who is Backcountry Foodie?

 

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We have the privilege today of speaking with the one and only, Aaron of Backcountry Foodie!

Today we begin the show by learning a little bit about Aaron's background in nutrition and hiking and how it led her to create Backcountry Foodie. We learn about how the hiking nutrition on the market was not catered to individualistic output and calorie consumption while on trail and how she used her skills as a dietician to change this.

We chat about her love for food, and her love for high quality food that is right for your body. We dissect the pros and cons of a thru-hiking diet, and while it may fill up a hiker's stomach, it may not be giving the correct nutrients to the hiker's body. We chat about vitamin deficiency and the difference between a habitual mile stepper and someone who is choosing a thru-hike as a one time adventure. We learn that multiple years of a "thru-hikers diet" can lead to unwanted deficiency in the body, and begin to regret our doughnut consumption the hike before this chat...

We chat about the calorie density and nutrition in dehydrated food compared to regular food, and that it can lose up to 50% of its vitamins! We ask Aaron's recommendations on how to eat healthier and supplement a thru-hiking diet until making the fuller transition into healthier food choices.

We chat about the growth of Backcountry Foodie over the years, and how Aaron went from writing cookbooks, to nutritional coaching for hikers, to masterclasses in hiking nutrition, and how she has tied in all her experience with the above and more, to create a healthy choice for hikers. With over 209 recipes there is something for everyone. They even have a meal planning platform, which is an automated tool that can make a shopping list for you! Eating healthy has never been made so easy!

We chat about Aaron's hike of the PCT, OCT, and the Condor Trail and how every hike has given them the opportunity to continue to grow their knowledge of the human body and hiking. We learn how every hike is different, not just the miles done, but the terrain, the weather, the navigation, the bushwhacking, all play important roles in the food that should be eaten.

We chat about "stockpiling calories", we chat about not using soda or beer as a form of nutrition while in town, we chat about meal replacement drinks and how baby formula while nutritional requires a strong gut and an even stronger will to drink, we chat about how every resupply is different due to the trail and the needs of the body, we chat about 400lbs of food prep and dehydrating your own tuna, and we chat plastic mountaineering boots, to name a few. 

Truly a wonderful chat with Aaron from Backcountry Foodie, thank you for sharing some time and your story with us!

P:S: As a special treat, all our listeners can use the promo code: OFFTRAILPODCAST at BackcountryFoodie.com for a 20% discount!

FAVORITE QUOTES:

"Food is medicine."

"I don't like using thru-hiking as a weight loss program, if you are losing weight you are not fueling your body to peak performance."

"When hikers say they can't do it, I am going to challenge you again."

"You can eat healthy at the dollar store."

"I just want to help anyone that wants to feel better."

To learn more about Aaron and Backcountry Foodie click below:

Website: www.backcountryfoodie.com

YouTube: BackcountryFoodie

Instagram: @BackcountryFoodie

To learn more about us click below:

Website: www.ElevenSkys.com

 
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S2E4: Who is Impala?

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S2E2: Who is Pony?