Perfect Protein - the perfect fuel for hiking
Hikes are always a great way to explore beautiful landscapes, stay physically active, and challenge one’s physical fitness. One of the most essential requirements of a successful hiking trip is adequate hydration and the right nutrition, specifically high-quality protein, such as cricket powder. Perfect Protein discusses how protein offers the perfect fuel for hikers.
Why is protein essential for hikers?
The duration and intensity of hiking trips may differ and so will the protein intake. As is the case with endurance athletes, hikers also must consume quality protein sources on the trail for the following reasons:
- Build and repair: Protein is an important but often ignored macronutrient in hiking diets. Foods high in carbohydrates and fats undoubtedly provide a ton of energy but the body also needs protein to build and repair body tissues (like skin, bones, and muscles) that get broken down over the course of a long hike. In the absence of the requisite supply of protein, the risk of repetitive stress injuries and chronic fatigue rises. Consuming protein along with carbohydrates and fat decreases fatigue and increases time to exhaustion.
- Optimum brain functioning: The brain thrives on glucose. When the supply starts to dwindle the brain will begin hoarding the remaining glucose for itself and instruct the body to use muscles to create glucose. Notably, muscles not only enable movement but are also a storage organ for amino acids, which can be converted into glucose when needed. A hiking diet that ensures a high level of amino acids in the blood will ensure that the muscle tissue is not overused for gluconeogenesis.
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Fight fatigue: Protein is crucial in preventing central fatigue, or brain fatigue. In the absence of sufficient amino acids, the body uses certain types of amino acids to create glucose. Other amino acids such as tryptophan, which the body uses to create melatonin and serotonin, become more dominant. Eventually, the excess tryptophan starts crossing the blood-brain barrier to a greater extent and forcing the brain to produce more tryptophan. This gives a false signal to the body that it’s getting tired.
Even though brain and muscle fatigue are different, the brain overrides the muscle feedback and instructs the body that the legs are too tired to carry on. This, of course, does not work well for a hiker. Therefore, complete protein sources are essential for consumption during a hiking trip.
- Stable glucose: Consuming carbohydrates during the hike is essential for fueling the body at the peak of the hike. However, it is essential to consume protein at breakfast and in trail snacks for various reasons. Firstly, protein takes longer to be digested and therefore keeps hikers feeling full longer besides stabilizing blood sugar. This is important to avoid the "start fast and then crash" cycle. Secondly, protein-rich foods are very low on the glycemic index, which again supports stable blood glucose levels between meals.
Very active people (like hikers and endurance athletes) should consume 0.5 to 0.8 grams of protein per pound of body weight, per day.
A high-quality protein such as Perfect Protein’s cricket powder is composed of high quality and volume of protein besides other nutritive values that are essential for muscle recovery and optimum performance for hikers. This nutrient-dense protein is not only delicious, but it also is very convenient to carry on hiking trips and consume on the go. This future of food is becoming a big favorite among endurance athletes for its organic sustainable nutrition.
Why Perfect Protein?
Perfect protein, a wholly owned brand of Dalayla farms, creates consumable protein products using 100% sustainably raised crickets from its in-house farm.
- With Perfect Protein, clients have access to flavorful products that are a great source of complete protein with all 9 essential amino acids produced with minimal environmental impact.
- Crickets are very nutritionally dense sources of food. Here is their nutrition profile:
- 65% protein by volume
- High in iron
- High in fiber
- More B12 than salmon
- Gluten-free
- All 9 amino acids
- More calcium than milk
- 15% More iron than spinach
Visit the Perfect Protein farm to see how it works. Call at 1-716-597-8656 or visit our shop online at www.crkt.life
