GoTo Boat food/snacks

After a light breakfast at home, I just bring deli meat, pretzels, and lots of water. Never been left wanting more, usually getting off the water by noon. Sometimes grabbing a quick bite on the way home is in order.
Most importantly, not a fan of anything increasing the likelihood of a sweaty mad dash back to shoreline or launch - coffee's a non-starter!

 

I have a 12v kettle water heater on the boat and keep Ramen, Oatmeal and instant Starbucks coffee on board for snacks and eats.....at least as back ups.

I too don’t have a big urge to eat that early in the morning, but after long days…I too was feeling pretty thrashed. I also cramp up a lot in my quads and feet when peddling for many miles, best solution for me is bringing an avocado which tastes better than a banana and has more potassium as well.

I also bring a 3 liter camel bag full of water and drop a few of those hydration multiplier tabs into it. Both help with the cramping. When I’m thinking ahead a bit more, I like to bring protein bars, pop tarts and when available PIZZA!

Edit...
Cramping issues have continued despite the potassium snacks and lots of hydration. I've started taking Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium supplements along with a daily multi-vitamin. Even with those interventions I'm still experiencing infrequent but sever cramps that can make getting back to the launch more interesting than I like or feel is safe.

I started bringing along one of those watersnake 24 lb thrust engines and a 100 amp hour lithium battery as a fail safe. I have not used it much besides testing it out while crabbing, but I do feel a lot more peace of mind having this option on board if needed.

If anyone else is experiencing the cramping stuff, the vitamins and attention to hydration have made a noticeable difference for the better.

I too don’t have a big urge to eat that early in the morning, but after long days…I too was feeling pretty thrashed. I also cramp up a lot in my quads and feet when peddling for many miles, best solution for me is bringing an avocado which tastes better than a banana and has more potassium as well.

I also bring a 3 liter camel bag full of water and drop a few of those hydration multiplier tabs into it. Both help with the cramping. When I’m thinking ahead a bit more, I like to bring protein bars, pop tarts and when available PIZZA!

Edit...
Cramping issues have continued despite the potassium snacks and lots of hydration. I've started taking Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium supplements along with a daily multi-vitamin. Even with those interventions I'm still experiencing infrequent but sever cramps that can make getting back to the launch more interesting than I like or feel is safe.

I started bringing along one of those watersnake 24 lb thrust engines and a 100 amp hour lithium battery as a fail safe. I have not used it much besides testing it out while crabbing, but I do feel a lot more peace of mind having this option on board if needed.

If anyone else is experiencing the cramping stuff, the vitamins and attention to hydration have made a noticeable difference for the better.

I experience the same thing occasionally. I now keep a small bottle of Hylands Leg cramp pills in my dry bag. I was skeptical at first but they work for me. When cramps hit, I put 3 under my tongue and they dissolve in seconds. Within a a minute or two the cramps are gone.

I unfortunately can relate to the leg cramps at times.

I just carry simple ibuprofen. I chew them with a sip of water and they react almost immediately.

I've tried banana's days ahead of trip and i still get leg cramps.

This thread, which has taken a left turn into muscle cramping, reminded me of this article in the Washington Post a couple months ago:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/17/foot-leg-cramp-treatment/

In case the paywall prevents you from reading the article, here is an excerpt:

For cramping, athletes have long sworn by pickle juice (strained from jars of dill or kosher pickles) and other acidic substances such as mustard or apple cider vinegar.

Experimental data in healthy college-aged men suggests that pickle juice inhibits muscle cramps through a reflex involving a nerve in our throats. It’s why a tablespoon of pickle brine hitting the back of the throat seemed to bring relief within seconds.

Pickle juice may also work for cramps that aren’t induced by exercise. A randomized controlled trial published last year found that a sip of pickle juice reduced muscle cramp intensity in patients with cirrhosis.

Researchers believe this improvement is due to a similar reflex that occurs almost immediately, rather than by how pickle juice is metabolized by the gut.

The author goes on to say that more scientific investigation is needed but I can report that I tried some pickle juice an hour ago and haven't had any cramps so it must work, ha ha. It's worth a try, anyway.

To get this thread back on track... I usually bring two PBJ's made with whole grain bread, not because I prefer eating whole grain bread but it seems to be the only bread I can find in the house. Heavy on the peanut butter (Kirkland) and jam (strawberry, homemade).  I cut the sandwiches in half.  The only time I ever eat PBJ is on the water. Mainly because the night before a fishing trip, I am too busy getting ready to go fishing to do anything more complicated.

To drink, water on the boat. There is usually a cold beer and a canned ice coffee (black) waiting in the car. Sometimes I don't drink either; sometimes I need both.

if i had time, i would make a Taiwanese breakfast item called a FAAN TUAN.  it is basically a big giant sticky rice roll with pickles and stuff inside.  PB&J otherwise.  easier to make. 

total energy bomb.  eat one, kick the hobie pedals for hours and hours.

i only drink water on my kayak.  and out of a Camelback bladder system.

Not superstitious. I like to have a portion of the fish I’m targeting in my snack arsenal.

I unfortunately can relate to the leg cramps at times.

I just carry simple ibuprofen. I chew them with a sip of water and they react almost immediately.

I've tried banana's days ahead of trip and i still get leg cramps.

Interesting...  I always try to eat a banana w/ the morning coffee.  Strangely enough I sometimes will get a stomach cramp right when I have just jumped/climbed into the kayak.  Man does it hurt... have to stretch as best I can, deep breathe, but it's usually gone after 10-15 seconds and I'm good.