How to Stick to an Animal-Based Diet on a Hike (And Actually Feel Fueled)
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I’ve signed up for something most people would call bonkers—the 24 Peaks Challenge in the Lake District. 31 miles, 24 summits, over 13,000 feet of ascent over 2 days. Sounds fun, right?
Now, I’m a carb-dodger. No pasta parties. No energy gels. I follow an animal-based diet and I intend to keep it that way—even up a mountain, in the rain, with my legs screaming at me.
The problem? Pretty much every “hiking ration pack” you’re given on these kinds of challenges is loaded with sugar, seed oils, oats, and ultra-processed junk.
It’s the kind of stuff that makes you bloated, not better. If you’re on a carnivore diet or even leaning paleo or keto, you’ve probably looked at those packets and thought, “Guess I’ll just eat the packaging.”
So, I’m writing this post for two reasons:
- I need to figure out my hiking fuel strategy without ditching the diet, which has improved my health.
- To help anyone else thinking of doing something similar and wanting to stay fat-fueled on the trail.
We’ll look at:
🥩 What to eat and pack when you’re on an animal-based diet on a hike
⚡ How to avoid energy crashes and stay sharp across long climbs
🎒 What foods give the best nutrition, without adding unnecessary weight to your rucksack
🍽️ How to keep your meals both practical and delicious (yes, you read that right)
Whether you’re tackling the 24 Peaks or just heading out for a weekend hike, this post will cover everything you need to know to stick to your diet, stay energized, and feel great doing it.
So let’s talk about what’s really going wrong with your standard trail food..