Cave snacks

H

hannahb

Active member
What do you eat when you're underground?

Do you make your own snacks?

I'm looking for inspiration 😄
 
pwhole

pwhole

Well-known member
A massive bacon and sausage buttie and a pint of strong real coffee before we set off usually does me. Maybe a bottle of water for halfway.
 
Graigwen

Graigwen

Active member
Babyhagrid said:
Uncooked jelly cubes, flapjack (from home bargains) lidl mars and snickers . And once a selection of ham cheese and pickle sandwiches.
Click to expand...
I had not thought of jelly cubes, they sound like a good idea. More flavour than nutrition, but resistant to squashing.

.
 
Babyhagrid

Babyhagrid

Well-known member
Graigwen said:
I had not thought of jelly cubes, they sound like a good idea. More flavour than nutrition, but resistant to squashing.

.
Click to expand...
They're basically pure sugar, and very squash proof. Good for a burst of energy at the bottom of big pitches
 
pwhole

pwhole

Well-known member
Jelly cubes are as much pork gelatine as they are sugar though. And in that context, pork products are the clear leader so far :)
 
Tim Pickering

Tim Pickering

Member
I take a bottle of Mountain Fuel or Tailwind with me, and maybe a caffeinated Voom bar for emergencies. Though the anticipation of a hot brew at Inglesport for afters is usually sustenance enough.
 
Pitlamp

Pitlamp

Well-known member
Porridge for (part of) breakfast first (which I've finally trained myself to like, after being force fed it as a toddler and growing up hating it). It has steady energy release which lasts a long time.

Jelly babies, in a small screw topped container for in the cave. You can dispense them into your gob without the remainder getting wet. You can also "drip feed" the supply of energy, rather than having bigger snacks less frequently.
(I started using these for caving as a result of using them on fell runs, to maintain energy levels.)

Hasn't this topic been discussed before on here? There may be some useful info already available.
 
caving_fox

caving_fox

Active member
Hydration is more important than fuel! I used to take saus rolls in a tin, but I've either toughened up or become more efficient as although I still pack a few choc bars (dark choc bounty for preference), I don't always eat them.

Capri-sun do screw top drink packages (not the silly straw cartons that they also do) which are squishable (gentle) fit into tacklebags and re-sealable. I often take 1-2 with me.
 
Pitlamp

Pitlamp

Well-known member
"Sorry for duplicating threads. Admins feel free to close if all covered before."

Nay - let it run Hannah. There will be newcomers on here who may not encounter previous discussions. Also, something usefully new might emerge.
 
mrodoc

mrodoc

Well-known member
I don't tend to eat underground and never have although I agree with caving fox that rehydration is very important and have suffered severely from that on occasion.
 
wormster

wormster

Active member
I used to make a "brick" of sweet cous cous with honey dried fruit and pine nuts. If you're doing Cuthbert's on Mendip leave a mars bar at the bottom of the entrance rift, you'll need it on the way out. Those squishy packs of lucoz drink are handy. Individual Malt loaves are cave proof - mind you pack them in a Darren drum though

I used to have an emergency mars bar in the headband of my helmet, along with a space blanket
 
H

hannahb

Active member
Any thoughts on how to avoid ultra-processed foods for cave snacks? I didn't used to worry about this, but I am taking it more seriously now. I suppose home-made snacks would cover this.

I'm also gluten free (not by choice) and veggie (by choice), which limits my options a bit.

Oats, nuts, and dried fruit are sounding good so far. Sometimes I could do with something savoury but most of the trips I do it would be a pain to carry a lunchbox.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top