22/02/2012 - Advice from India's 1st Trailwalker

We were recently fortunate enough to (virtually) follow Rohan Abraham on India's 1st Trailwalker as he tweeted his experience live and taking some amazing photographs along the way.

For anyone who would like to look back on Rohan's experience, his Twitter address is here.

Rohan has kindly shared with us the advice he received from a doctor regarding diet before the event and has permitted us to share it here.

Diet

1. Pre-walk - in the run up to the final day


Objective - Load up on carbs
Nothing special to be done here.  Just ensure that approximately 75 per cent of your meal is carb based.  Sources of carbs - Pasta, whole wheat bread, rice [pressure cooked], potatoes, chappatis and parathas.
There's no need to eat extra food, just ensure that the above percentage of the quantity that you normally eat is carbs.

2. During the walk - while actually walking

Objective - Keep it light, digestible and simple. Hydration and Mineral Balancing
The doctor suggested that while walking, the food intake should be liquid as far as possible.  Your body will be losing water and salts at a high rate and so the primary purpose is to put those back in to your body.
Suggested liquids include - Gatorade / Electral, Juices, Water
Others munchies while walking - cereal/ muesli, almonds, bananas and glucose biscuits
Warning - Possibility of cramps (so keep hydrated continously). Acidity - carry gelusil/ digene.

3. During the walk - while at a service stop

Objective - Nourishment, rest
The doctor suggested that no complex food be eaten such as fried stuff etc. 
Suggested eats include - Cereal/muesli, boiled potatoes, boiled eggs, bread / rotis / naans, grilled/ tandoori, roasted meat [has to be made fresh and not carried around as this is likely to spoil].  You can make sandwiches of the food suggested. 

Salt balance - Tender coconut for potassium.
Each participant must eat at every stop even if not hungry.

4. Post walk
The doctor said to continue to eat the carb loaded meal for at least a day after and continue hydration.  Pop in a brufen right after the walk in anticipation of cramps and pains.
Also must carry - pain balm, spray, antacid liquid, crepe bandage, insect repellent, sun screen, brufen, loose motion pills

Now as if we ever needed an excuse to eat some great Indian food!

Our thanks to Rohan for sharing the advice he received.

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