I am looking for ideas. So far I have come up with:

Pringles [potato]
Roti/Tortillas [wheat]
Muesli

I wont be carrying a stove.

I am trying to optimize food for weekend hikes by taking mostly complex carbs and using body fat as main source of energy by controlling my hiking pace.

Thanks for any help.

buy bulk maltodextrin, mix with water, drink

Halva
Burfi
Chocolate

:-)

Oatcakes and cheese.

I'm getting hungry! :o)

for backpacking you still need proteins in my opinion... too much carb can cause spikes and crashes in insulin levels and cause you to feel zapped... backpackers really need both for optimal nutrition. Also you run the risk of muscle depletion if the diet isn't quite right.

How about some of the no-cook salads? Lentil or other legume based salads, quinoa salad and such will give you that protein which your body needs. Of course you'd have to dry some foods or order dried from somewhere like Harmony House.

There are lots of things you can have in the backcountry without a stove and without stripping much needed protein from your diet.

Edited by Laurie_Ann on 09/01/2008 12:54:01 MDT.

Nuts!

If you don't get enough oil/fat in your diet you can get constipated. Just a Tablespoon or so will help keep things regular ;-)

So in other words? Eat some nuts.

I like munching on dried fruit, instant hummus on tortillas, Pringles (yum!). I am also a huge fan of Baker Breakfast cookies as well - those puppies are tasty - with protein, carbs and fiber.

Hi Huzefa,
I'm thinking of things you should be able to find locally, since most of what we use here would be difficult to obtain. I'm thinking of laddoos, dhokla, bati(as in the dahl bati churma of Rajasthan and Gujarat), potatoes(perhaps sookhi aloo?), gajjar halwa, dahl mooth, dried mango, naan(maybe stuffed with cauliflower or potato?), barfi(as Roger suggested), cham cham, etc. Lots of carbs in all of these, plus some fat and protein as a bonus. You are fortunate to be in India when it comes to tasty carbs! No need to go the ascetic route.

Thanks for all the suggestions so far.

>buy bulk maltodextrin, mix with water, drink
I am reading up on meltodextrin. Looks good. But sourcing it locally will be quite a task.

>Halva
Burfi
Chocolate

yum!

Halva. Yes if your are refering to suji ka halwa (semolina pudding) and carrot halwa.

I have doubts that either burfi [condensed milk] or chocolate have complex carbs.

>Oatcakes and cheese.
I will checkout oatcakes.
I googled and so far I cant come up with anything which says cheese has complex carbs.

>for backpacking you still need proteins in my opinion...
I will remember to take adequate protein.

>If you don't get enough oil/fat in your diet you can get constipated. Just a Tablespoon or so will help keep things regular ;-)

So in other words? Eat some nuts.

I will keep your advice in mind.

Those oatmeal cookies look good. I will see if they are available here.

">If you don't get enough oil/fat in your diet you can get constipated. Just a Tablespoon or so will help keep things regular ;-)
So in other words? Eat some nuts. "

Seeds and berries work too. When has a bird ever left you a note apologizing for not being able to crap on your winshield?

Can you find brown rice syrup?

Hi Tom, all good suggestions.

Except I am not sure where chickpea flour stands.

http://www.carbs-information.com/carb-in-legumes/carbs-chick-peas.htm
This page says that chickpea are low on the glycemic index.


http://www.carbs-information.com/baking/chickpea-flour.htm
But this one says says that 'modern refined flour is high on the glycemic index.'

Can anyone explain why such a difference in glycemic index of chickpea and chickpea flour?

These articles have dependable information.

http://thru-hiker.com/articles/pack_light_eat_right.php

I asked my mom. She doesnt know what brown rice is, forget brown rice syrup.

I will still try.

John, thanks for the link.

Halva is made from Tahini and Honey.

http://www.astray.com/recipes/?show=Halvah%20(tahini%20%26%20honey%20candy)

Hi Huzefa.
The reason i said oatcakes AND cheese, is simply that oatcakes can be a bit dry for eating on their own. A piece of moist cheese, or cheese spread, makes them easier to eat, and adds valuable fat. It's not a good idea to eat only carbs. Some people like fruit jam or jelly on oatcakes, which will increase the carb content further.
Oatcakes can also be crumbled into soup or other liquid meals as a thickener.
Oats have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. Maybe not a problem for you, but us Westerners need all the help we can get.:)

I was investigating maltodextrin. It is made from complex carbohydrates and still counts as a complex carbohydrate apparently, but I bet it is as simple a complex carbohydrate as they come. Food scientists are good at "refining" "purifying" for which read simplifying. I have a preference, with some evidence, for unadulterated food.

Roger,

there are many types of halwa like I mention in the earlier post: suji ka halwa (semolina pudding) and carrot halwa.

btw honey is just simple carbs.

Mike,

Thanks for the tip.

Derek,

Have you read this thread?
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/xdpy/forum_thread/1272/index.html

Lot of discussion on maltodextrin. Of particular interest is "GU Energy Gel contains maltodextrin, the best complex carbohydrate for delivering energy to working muscles. GU also contains the optimal balance of carbohydrates for the body during exercise: 80% complex/20% simple. It is this balance of maltodextrin and fructose in GU that delivers a quick rise in blood sugar and maintains that glucose level for up to 45 minutes during exercise. "

Does that mean you take a packet of gel every 45 min.? Doesnt sound like sustained energy.