Official Camel Poop Blog or My Nutrition Strategy for the Appalachian Trail

I would like to start by saying that I am a very consistent killjoy. There are some mornings when I wake up and have to leave immediately. However, most days I get up and make coffee. I take a few sips of said coffee and go do my business before returning to my cozy tent to continue looking at the trees while enjoying my drink. I have to say it’s a pretty good routine.

It has come to my attention that most other hikers are not so regular and that «it» can come anywhere at any time. My question is: what happens if you are in curves or on a ridge? It seems stressful not really knowing.

So I don’t really have any poop stories to speak of, but honestly, I think what you put in is much more important than what comes out. I’m really not a big fan of pooping in general, so I’m lucky enough to be able to do it first thing in the morning. Every morning. Sometimes twice.

For all intents and purposes, I am in no way a scientist, nutritionist or expert.

But I have learned a ton about nutrition and how it relates to my body’s ability to hike thousands of miles each year over mountains. All this should be taken with a pinch of electrolyte.

It’s absolutely possible to complete a hike with poor nutrition (trust me, I’ve done it), but it’s definitely not recommended. Since learning and practicing better nutrition along the way, I’ve found that not only is my body more capable, but my brain functions better overall, improving my experience as a part of nature.

You’ve probably heard the expression, «trust your gut.» I think there is something to that. There is evidence to suggest that there is a very strong connection between the gut biome and the brain. They are totally best friends!

«…It has what plants crave! It has electrolytes.»

Micronutrients are probably as important as macronutrients; However, I am only now putting the finishing touches on my macro strategy after a decade. I feel there are many more complexities to explore regarding micronutrient intake and absorption. For the purposes of this post, I will focus on calories, protein, and fiber.

The Tortoise and the Hare: Can the Tortoise mathematically outperform the Hare?

Again, I’m no scientist or mathematician, but it seems to me that if someone is going to burn a certain amount of calories on a certain stretch of trail, then they have to carry those calories for at least part of that stretch. If you add more weight to your backpack, then you will burn more calories. So is it ever possible to NOT be in a calorie deficit? I can’t say for sure.

Either way, my goal is to make the most of the calories I put in my backpack. I feel that fat calories burn cool and slow and are good for long, relatively flat sections where sustained energy is needed. On the other hand, I find that carbs burn hot and fast, making them ideal for short bursts of energy on a climb or in a bleed area.

Calories = Energy = Fun = Peanut Butter

Oh, the taste of the sun
How it makes my heart grow
Put the sun in a bun
And reap what you sow

Wheat, beans and avocado.
Harness the energy of the bright sun
To be able to fulfill my life, some fun.
Eat foods that lift me up when I’m down

My hot morning coffee, almost ready.
The rain falling, I’d like to see it go.
Or a break in the clouds for a nice rainbow
I wish I had walked before the rain started

The sun for now casts an overwhelming light.
That in the dark feels like it weighs a ton
It traps you with no escape and no place to run to.
The light sustains you and welcomes you to the show.

Then the taste of the sun
How it makes my heart shine
Put the sun in a bun
And reap what you sow

My calorie strategy

I personally consume most of my fat calories during the day, leaving most of my carbohydrate consumption for the evening. My reasoning is that I need to consume fewer calories from fat throughout the day while walking, compared to the calories from carbohydrates which my body will burn very quickly. I tend to consume a lot of carbohydrates like rice, couscous, ramen, French fries, and potatoes before bed for several reasons:

1. It’s comforting. I like the feeling of being full after walking all day.
2. Because the body runs so slowly during sleep, I don’t burn carbohydrates as quickly and they last longer.
3. I have enough stored energy from dinner to pack up and start walking in the morning before consuming my fat calories again, mostly in the form of peanut butter, whole milk powder, and various oils.

Since I think I’m typically increasing the deficit, I think this strategy helps mitigate it. I still have slow and lethargic days; however, they are now fewer than before this was implemented a few years ago.

Protein, Protein, Protein

Some of the numbers I’ve heard about how much protein a hiker should consume daily are crazy. It’s a lot. Plus, it’s not very easy to find good, light proteins in small trail towns. My rule is to get as much as possible from as many sources as possible. My main protein sources are peanut butter, pea and whey protein shakes, occasionally beans, and textured vegetable protein (TVP), which is usually a soy product. It may not be as much protein as I should be consuming, but I honestly can’t imagine carrying more.

Seriously, trust your gut.

Until recently, I had never given much thought to fiber or gut health in general. I’ve been learning about gut biomes and probiotics, which work in conjunction with prebiotics in the form of different fibers. I have learned that our intestines produce the vast majority of serotonin (butterflies in my stomach). I’ve been learning about the brain-gut axis and how closely linked our minds are to the system that makes us poop. To complete the circle of poop.

I think the last piece of my macronutrient puzzle is to eat more fiber and add a daily probiotic. My hope is that by improving my gut health, I will create an environment that will improve serotonin production and regulation, resulting in an improved walking experience, which will be useful artistically. I also hope that better gut health will help me be better able to make good, quick decisions and improve my critical thinking skills.

All that being said, I’m just a self-taught guy who knows that the more you know, the less you know. Then we’ll see how it goes. I would say yes, always trust your gut. My gut says it’s going to be a great year. Let’s go on an excursion!!!

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