Could what you put in the ATV operator
really make a difference on the ATV trail?
Absolutely; after all, you wouldn’t fill up your four-wheeler’s tank
with maple syrup and potato chips. Filling up your own “tank” with garbage is
just as likely to result in a negative outcome such as fatigue,
gastrointestinal upset or distracting hunger pangs early on during a long
ride.
Want to know the secret to a long and happy
ATV trail excursion? It’s replacing all
those sodas and juice bottles with clear and cool water. Though many ATV
drivers swear by sports drinks, they might deliver too much sugar into your
system. Though sports and energy drinks
are coveted by athletes who are exerting tremendous amounts of energy, you’re better
off imbibing clear, pure and unflavored H2O.
What better food stuff than a handful of
trail mix to go along with your thirst-quenching bottle of water? Before you start munching on the various
trail mixes available on the market, take heed.
Many of those so-called “healthy” snacks are loaded with trans-fats,
unnecessary sodium, and far too much sugar.
Instead of trying to sort through all the supermarket options, why not
make your own? In a large plastic bag,
throw in a cupful of a high fiber cereal, a half a cupful of nuts, a half a
cupful of unsweetened dried fruits (such as cranberries, apricots, or raisins),
and, if you must have something sweet, a modest sprinkling of semi-sweet baking
chocolate chips. Shake the bag and share
with your ATV trail buddies.
Though many of the energy bars on the
market are woefully lacking in basic nutrition, there are some which are hearty
enough to eat as a meal substitute. If
you’re going to be out on your ATV all day, you can replace lunch with one of
these power-packed energy bars. Just
make sure that your choice has at least 250-350 calories and a whopping dose of
fiber. Watch out for energy bars that
are all carbohydrates; try to find one that balances carbs with protein. Try to
avoid any that are made by popular candy makers because they usually contain
way too high a proportion of sweetener.
One of the most underappreciated fruits is
the lovely yellow banana, a tropical delight that packs a nutritional
punch. Though a medium banana is only
about 100 calories, it is loaded with potassium and has reputedly therapeutic
benefits. If you can stow a few of these
edible golden treasures in a place where they won’t get squashed during your
ATV trail excursion, you’ll be able to benefit from their natural wealth of
nourishment.
Never forget that the more planning you put
into your ATV exploration, the more you’ll get out of the experience. That
includes the type, amount, and quality of foods you bring with you on your next
ATV journey.
