My nutritional preparation for SF2T 2026

12/14/25

Nerdom: watch out, another one is coming!

I am NOT a chemist, nutritionist, scientist or anyone educated or spokesperson for the nuances of nutrition.. OK?

However, I am absolutely fascinated with all the chemicals and minerals in food and how the human body «knows» what to do.

An important part of human endeavor is what we put into the body, how food is processed and how it passes through.

For me I want NEVER have digestive problems, vomiting, fractures or poor health while traveling many kilometers a day.

Several years ago, somewhere in the CT, I acquired Girardiaa painful digestive parasite, usually due to poor hygiene, requiring the intervention of medical personnel, miles away. Recovery was hard, treatment expensive, ending things.

I don’t want to have physical illnesses while hiking; It’s hard enough when things are going well.

We have all heard the expression: “ Garbage in, garbage out.»

I’m more interested in: “Superior inside, Superior outside.

It seems we may be more distracted by our vehicles than by the intricate chemistry of our bodies…

Anyway, part of my preparation for the Santa Fe to Taos (SF2T) hike is the question: “What can I take that has the best nutrition for the demands of long distance hiking? and: «How heavy is it?“You?”

As a vegetarian, I have to take protein and food interactions into account. When one consumes animal products there are complete proteins and much “simpler” accounting.

According to my research, the sprouts, which are light, provide all the nutrients that hard-working human bodies need.

Vitamin C: skin, blood vessels, bones, iron absorption.

Vitamin K: blood coagulation.

Vitamin E: skin, cell repair; support to the immune system.

Minerals: iron, magnesium, proteins, antioxidants; folate.

Those look good to me!

Most hiker food looks pretty bad. When you are young, you can tolerate the consumption of certain foods. This is generally not the case when one is «older.» The repair seems to take longer and the damage is longer.

Hiking, at least for me, is VERY hard on joints, muscles, digestion and all the other things that polite society avoids.

Taking nutritional precautions is better and preventive, again for me.

There seem to be few articles on the nutritional needs of “older” people, because I looked.

The needs of «older» hikers tend to be ignored; Take a look at the models from your favorite outdoor brands – young and cute adults.

Ironically, it is usually older people who can afford many necessary items.

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