The Best Snacks A Nutritionist Packs On Her Outdoor Adventures

This year, perhaps more than ever, many of us have taken to the trails and parks to find a safe way to stay active. In fact, according to data from the Outdoor Industry Association, Americans have taken up outdoor activities in record numbers. That's why bike shops are sold out, and you're lucky if you can find a pair of hiking boots online.

A hike can be anything from a walk on an unpaved road to a 10-mile trek over challenging terrain. You'll want to layer up for fall hikes, wear sturdy footwear, and also make sure you have a snack that can go the distance. Beef jerky—and any dried meat or seaweed—is ideal for this endeavor. You can shove it in a backpack or fanny pack and know that it will last for days.

Bird-watching has never looked so good. Observing feathered friends, either in a state park or from the comfort of the backyard, has become a national obsession since you can easily do it while maintaining social distance. But sometimes you need to wait for quite a while to see that red-winged blackbird or scarlet northern cardinal, and all that patience can make you a bit peckish.

Leaf peepers, it's time to bust out that cozy fleece and plan a socially distanced outdoor excursion. Leaves are just starting to hit their peak throughout most of the country, and I can't wait! Walking or driving through those blazing crimson-, marigold-, and persimmon-tinged trees can take several hours, and you can't sustain yourself on cider and doughnuts alone (trust me—I've tried). A bag of chips is pretty easy to pop into a down vest, but fried potato chips probably aren't the best pick for your day trip. Enter: plantain chips.

Even camping—and glamping—novices are starting to get in on the act these days. There's been a huge rise in this type of travel since the spring, and it looks like things are going to keep trending that way. It's a low-cost, pandemic-friendly way to spend a weekend, and you can drive to campsites nearby and pitch a tent with your family, close friends, partner, and even your pup.

If you're camping, you're definitely going to be making a campfire. S'mores are delicious fare, but for something that will sustain you until the morning, I recommend good old trail mix. It's definitely easy to make your own trail mix with popcorn, almonds, candy-covered chocolates, and some dried fruit. But if your Zoom meeting ran long and you're strapped for time on your way to the campsite, grab this tasty Double Feature Trail Mix from Whole Foods. It's a hearty combo of almonds and cashews, plus mini peanut butter cups and sour cherries and goes perfectly with ghost stories.