Backpacking fatigue is usually blamed on a heavy pack, steep inclines, insufficient training, or a poor trail diet. However, a connection almost no one thinks about is iodine deficiency. Iodine deficiency affects your thyroid, which dictates how effectively your body uses energy during hill climbs and exertion. Your metabolic “engine” relies heavily on iodine to keep your legs moving forward. When most people think of iodine, they think of salt. However, salty foods do not mean they contain iodine. Backpacking meals — even those high in sodium, including processed food and snacks—do not supply iodine. And hikers making their own trail food […]
Sodium
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Introducing our newest backpacking meal just in time for Autumn: No Coop Noodle Soup. Inspired by the classic chicken noodle soup, our version utilizes plant-based proteins, such as chickpeas and yellow peas, along with a variety of vegetables, including freeze-dried organic sweet potatoes, carrots, and herbs, in a savory broth. The fiber-rich carbohydrates and heart-healthy olive oil provide warmth and nourishment, making it perfect on cold days. Not only is this soup delicious, but it is also comforting! Like all of Outdoor Herbivore’s backpacking meals, preparing the No Coop Noodle Soup is quick and simple. Boil water, then add the hot water […]
A common question we get from backpackers is, “What backpacking meals do you have that are low in sodium?” Low sodium is a regulated term for food containing 140 mg of sodium or less per serving. Most packaged food will not meet this definition because salt functions as a natural preservative and drying agent. Fresh food and water-packed meals are your best bet for finding low sodium food. Beyond that, dried single ingredients, especially freeze-dried fruits and vegetables, are more likely to be low in sodium than dried packaged meals. A small amount of sodium is found naturally in many plant foods, although most get added […]