Why Bone Broth is the New Coffee on the Skin Track
It’s 5:30am and alarms are going off. Time to rise with the day and earn those fresh turns. The smell of coffee wafts across your nose as you read the Avalanche bulletin, check the weather and get ready to head out the door. There are few things as certain as skiers starting their day off with a cup of joe. More and more these days I’ve been seeing thermoses pulled out of packs on the skin track, filled with that morning brew. And, if I’m honest, I couldn’t think of a sillier thing to pack into the backcountry. Coffee, though a loved morning favourite, doesn’t provide much at all for our bodies in the backcountry. It raises our blood sugar levels temporarily, causing a false surge in energy followed quickly by an energy slump and wild sugar cravings to raise your blood sugar levels again. Coffee doesn’t contain any minerals or vitamins or really any valuable nutrients at all. In fact caffeine can interfere with the absorption of some nutrients, such as calcium and magnesium, which together are essential for optimal muscle function. So what’s a better option for the skin track?
Bone broth! Delicious liquid gold bone broth.
Bone broth is superior in every way. It provides a packed nutritional punch, loaded with vitamins and minerals, collagen and gelatin and is also high in protein. It is easy on the digestive system, healing to the gut and replaces electrolytes lost during intense exercise. Research has also shown that bone broth is a healthy way to boost your immune system, improve joint health as well as support your body in times of stress and adrenal fatigue. And if you’re living a plant-based life veggie broth is also a superior alternative, packed full of similar nutrients. Take it with you in a thermos or add it to your scrambled eggs or oatmeal in the morning. Add a pat of butter or coconut oil and you’ll have an extra dose of good fats (our main energy source) to keep you going all day.
Give it a try on your next day out in the backcountry. I dare you not to become a convert!