Many hikers believe that all they need on their demanding trips is energy obtained from carbohydrates. However, this can hardly be true since there are countless of other things necessary for enduring hiking effectively. Surely, carbohydrates give one energy and provide with some parts of the necessary nutrients. However, proteins are a bare necessity when it comes to hiking, enabling one means of muscle building and repair, crucial during such physical activities.
Namely, once you start hiking, the process is bound to last for a longer time, involving constant physical strain. Your muscles are, therefore, tense most of the time and prone to injury, especially if you are carrying a backpack, like most hikers do. This state of affairs results in tired and sore muscles, both of the upper and the lower body. In fact, if you overuse your muscles over a longer period of time, they degrade. Thus, you need to grant your muscles the necessary time to repair themselves. This is where protein gets in the picture, being the building block of muscles.
Problems with Protein
The main source of proteins recommended to all hikers rests in the food they are supposed to consume. Therefore, you need protein snacks which are high in protein values, making you capable of boosting your protein supplies anytime during the hiking process.
You might consider carrying power bars with you, eating them in order to increase your protein content. However, these are often filled with fat and sugar, besides protein, making them not such a great choice.
Alternatively, you may want to chew on a beef jerky. Unfortunately, this will make you thirsty since this product is known to trigger dehydration. The same goes for nuts and dehydrated fruits, making you thirsty while, at the same time, providing you with the necessary proteins.
So, obviously, every hiker needs a source of proteins which does not make him/her thirsty or fat in the process.The Best Protein Sources for Hikers
One of the best solutions for this problem is to consume whey protein. This protein is found in milk and dairy products, capable of being easily and quickly digested. By consuming powders which, mixed with water, provide excellent protein supplements, you will get refreshed and hydrated, boosting your protein levels in the process.
Whey protein is better than soy protein, which usually presents the alternative, it is more effective and provides one more materials crucial for hiking. Therefore, this type of protein is excellent for these purposes and is highly recommended.
All in all, now you know what you need to have with you once you decide to undergo your unique hiking adventure, keeping your muscles safe and highly effective.
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