keeping up energy on camino

[drsalome]

I'd like to know if i should carry cliff bars, gooo gel, protein powder, gatorade packets etc. I usually eat many small snacks throughout the day and concerned about energy and dehydration. thank you

[BHinSanDiego]

I think Clif bars and goo gel would be a great idea, they're light and a good nutritional item, and instead of having to rely on the standard bocadillos and such it would be good alternative. I also like the gatorade packets, I carried them and Hawaiian Punch packets to add to my water last year on my Camino, it was just nice to have a bit of flavor. I don't think the protein powder would be a good idea, it would add too much weight for what you could get out of it. In reference to the packets added to my water bottle, I had a Nalgen 1 liter bottle, when people would see it and the color (usually reddish) they would ask what was in it, I often said "wine, doesn't everybody?" Got some strange looks till they caught on!

[Covey]

If you are walking the length of the Camino Frances, then you will be on the trail for 30 - 40 days, and you cannot carry enough energy foods to last you!

The shops and supermarkets along the way tend to stock the kind of items we like/need and fruit, chocolate, nuts and dried fruit are easy to find.

In the past quite a number of Pilgrims tended to buy the 1L cartons of fruit juice in various flavors and dilute them a bit and carry that in their water bottles. Keeps the sugar level reasonably high and is more interesting than plain water.

You need to pay attention to your salt intake. Many folk do not like salt or worry about too much salt in a diet, which is fine at home, but in summer on the trail, you will sweat/perspire/glow a lot and you need to keep your salt levels up. I have seen people collapse through a salt or sugar deficit and it is always a good idea to carry a few boiled sweets or chocolate if you are prone to low sugar levels.

The problem with the Camino is that the high energy burn is not just for a weekend where your body reserves can cope, but for 30+ days and even the fittest person will not have the reserves to cope without external boosters.