Bulletproof Coffee

Want a cup of coffee that will sustain your energy throughout the morning and for all your adventures? Then make it bulletproof. 

After traveling to Tibet and trying yak butter tea biohacker Dave Asprey brought home the recipe and coined it “Bulletproof coffee.” So what is it exactly? It's a combination of clean caffeine from coffee beans mixed with healthy fats from unsalted butter and MCT oil. The combination provides a sustained energy throughout the day. No more caffeine crashes!

Bulletproof Camping Coffee

The Bulletproof Coffee Recipe

• 1 cup of coffee 
• 1 tsp - 2 Tbsp MCT OIL (work your way up with this one as you can initially get stomach cramps)
• 1-2 Tbsp unsalted grass fed butter
• For a hint of spice add a sprinkle of cinnamon!

It’s best to blend the three ingredients together in a blender otherwise the oils and fats separate. Blending makes for a very smooth creamy latte.

• Calories: 230
• Fat: 25g
• Saturated Fat: 21g
• Carbs: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Fiber: 0g
• Sugar: 0g
• Salt: 0mg

Camping Bulletproof Coffee

So why does it provide sustained energy? Let's break the ingredients down.

THE BULLETPROOF COFFEE

Coffee is a powerful  antioxidant. Caffeine keeps you alert and boosts  your metabolism. But just like the food you eat, the quality of the coffee you drink matters. Bad quality coffee can make you feel tired and sluggish, reaching for another cup. While a clean quality bean can keep you fueled and energized. 

Avoid coffees with molds like ochratoxin. Molds will steal your mental edge and make you weak. For sustained energy it’s best to choose organic coffees that test for molds and toxins like Bulletproof.

We love Bulletproof not only because it’s a clean bean coffee but because they also support sustainability and our environment. 

GRASS FED BUTTER

Unsalted grass fed butters are a nutrient dense source of fat providing fuel for energy. We like unsalted Kerrygold.

MCT OIL

A fat burning fuel made from coconuts. This is the key ingredient that helps you feel energized and focused. MCT's don't have to be broken down in the body therefore they give your cells an immediate energy source to pull from.

Keto

If you are interested in learning more about keto and a toxin free lifestyle check out Keto Canary.

Don't forget to save the recipe on Pinterest!

How To Make Your Own Keto Trail Mix

Our Keto Trail Mix is an awesome tasty snack to enjoy on the go. It’s low carb, super crunchy, and loaded with healthy fats for energy. Mix and match the ingredients to make it your own!

Being active doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your diet. There are tons of options available in most major food stores that are keto-specific. You do need to watch for some "loose" and sneaky marketing techniques though. Always check the ingredients for yourself.

The main things to look out for on the ingredient list are sugar or other additives that could counteract the health quality of the foods. Keto is trendy right now and marketers are taking advantage of it by using misleading labels. Flip the package over and check through them yourself before deciding what you to buy.

Keto Trail Mix and Net Carbs

The basic rule for staying in ketosis is to shoot for anywhere between 20-50g of carbs per day. This will vary depending on your weight and activity level. Those numbers are based on Net Carbs. Net carbs are the grams of total carbohydrates in a food minus its grams of total fiber. Because fiber is a carbohydrate that your body can't digest, it doesn't count against the number of carbs that can cause an insulin response.

Total Carbs – Total Fiber = Net Carbs

Sometimes a product will actually list the Net Carbs so you don't have to do any math, but again, make sure you are still checking the ingredients. Another soft rule is that less ingredients usually means healthier. Things such as sugar additives or preservatives can prevent your body from properly creating ketones.

What is Keto?

It is a high-fat, moderate-protein, and low-carb lifestyle that puts your body in a metabolic state called ketosis. Ketosis is when your body burns fat instead of carbohydrates as the primary fuel source. This is a much cleaner, more efficient way for your body to perform optimally.

How to Make Your Own Keto Trail Mix

To keep this as simple as possible, we are going to just throw a few ingredients into a bag, mix it up and head out to the trail. Trail mix is meant to be something quick and easy to pack along on adventures, keep us fueled up, and taste good! Mix it up any way that works for you and keep experimenting!

We created a web story that makes this super easy to follow along and get inspiration for making your own keto trail mix. ------>>>

Photo by Marina Leonova on Pexels.com

Let's go Nuts!

Choose your nuts wisely! While nuts are always a great choice to add to your keto trail mix and the fat content is great for keto, you also need to consider the carbs. We love macadamia nuts because of their high fat content and low carb count. Pecans, Brazil Nuts, and Walnuts are nice as well. Below we’re counting down the best to worst nuts based on the amount of carbs in a 1oz portion.

Pecans: 1.1 grams	Pine Nuts: 2.7 grams
Brazil Nuts: 1.3 grams	Almonds: 2.9 grams
Macadamia Nuts: 1.5 grams	Peanuts: 3.8 grams
Walnuts: 1.9 grams	Pistachios: 5.8 grams
Hazelnuts: 2.3 grams	Cashews: 8.4 grams

Add Some Seeds

We love adding seeds to our keto trail mix for that extra crunch and texture. Additionally, seeds (and nuts) are packed with micronutrients such as vitamin E, B vitamins, and minerals (calcium, copper, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, selenium and zinc). Here is a list of how some of the most seeds rank according to net carb per 1 oz serving.

Flaxseed: 0.5 gram	Sunflower Seeds: 3.2 grams
Sachi Inchi Seeds: 0 grams	Sesame Seeds: 3.3 grams
Chia Seeds: 1.7 grams	Pumpkin Seeds: 3.9 grams

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Chocolate Makes Everything Better!

That's right, we said chocolate!  So not only is dark chocolate a suitable snack to have while on the keto diet (in moderation), it's also a great snack to have to help promote heart health. The key is to choose dark chocolate varieties with at least 70 percent cocoa solids to consume the most flavanols.

Our favorite is Lily's Chocolates. The net carbs fluctuate with different flavors, but we highly recommend the Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate. For the keto trail mix, it's best to stick to baking chips with no sugar added making them an awesome stevia sweetened addition.

Yes to Cheese, Please!

If you aren't a chocolate fan and don't want the stevia sweetness add some cheese snacks to the mix. Prepackaged snacks such as salty Moon Cheese Bites are perfect because they don't need to be refrigerated. If it is a short trip, you could definitely get away with chopping up some hard cheeses and tossing them in there.

How to Store and Carry Your Keto Trail Mix

As avid supporters of our big beautiful world, we try to practice conscious packaging whenever we can to minimize our carbon footprint. We love using Stasher Snack Bags any chance we get! They are reusable snack-size silicone bags that are toxin-free and environmentally friendly. Stasher makes these in a variety of sizes so you can use them for trail mix, sandwiches (minus the bread because - keto), cooking ingredients in the cooler and more!

Want to Learn More About Keto?

Being a big part of our life, we have created a few articles about the health benefits of keto. One of the misconceptions about keto is that it is difficult to stick to. It's easy to get overwhelmed when you're first getting started, but we hope that some of our articles help break it down into nice, bit-sized pieces.

If you are into backpacking, some concessions must be made because the food options are limited. A lot of keto foods are perishable, but again, we tried to make it easy by putting a full guide to the best snacks that you can find at your local Target. Most of these items are available at other grocery stores as well.

Pack it Up, Pack it In

Don't forget anything ever again by using our Free Car Camping Checklist! Now that you have some delicious snacks ready to go, use this guide to pack up the car and make sure everything you need is right by your side!

7 Essential Keto Hiking Snacks You Need to Pack

It is possible to stay in ketosis while hiking. There are a ton of ways to keep your belly full and boots marching along without sacrificing your diet. We have compiled a simple list of keto hiking snacks that could be picked up at most local grocery stores. If not, there is always Amazon to the rescue.

Not only does this list focus on keeping all of the snacks low carb, but it also keeps a prioritized eye on protein which is crucial for a succesful and active hikers diet. High protein hiking snacks not only keep the h-angers at bay, but are super beneficial for your body. Protein helps hikers regulate their metabolism, repair tired muscles, and boost their immune systems. Plus, you're not yourself when you're hungry - I should coin that line. 😂

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Keto Beef Jerky

Jerky made from beef is ideal for hiking. It's easy to carry and high in protein and one of the best high protein hiking snacks. The high salt content found in beef jerky is actually beneficial for hiking because it aids with hydration regulation. This keto hiking snack is packed with protein as well.  Any other snack option can't compare to the quantity of protein you get from even a little strip. Protein is good for your body and provides an energy boost while also satisfying hunger rapidly.

The question is, is jerky good for you? The quick answer is that it is debatable. Jerky can be healthy if it suits your dietary objectives and the sort of product you select. Dried meat snacks can be a good source of protein when consumed as part of a balanced diet.

Jerky skeptics can be a little out of date. With additional MSG, nitrates, and chemical preservatives, many individuals warn that they're rich in sodium. The truth is that jerky is no longer made in this manner.

Sodium, on the other hand, is a valid cause for concern. Although sodium is a necessary nutrient, it is far too easy to consume too much in the average American diet. According to the FDA, the daily recommended dosage for the average individual is 2,400mg, which is just over a teaspoon of table salt. 

How to Choose a Healthy Jerky

1. Look for jerky with fewer than 500mg sodium content per serving
2. Opt for brands that have no more than 5g of added sugar

Our Favorite Beef Jerky: People's Choice | Country Archer | Tillamook Country Smoker

Alternatives: Salmon Jerky | Turkey Jerky | Vegan Jerky | Mushroom Jerky

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Salami or Sausage

Find the hard salami brands with zero carbs and a paper casing. This method tastes better and keeps fresh longer. Summer sausage is another great option.

Our Favorite Picks: Criminelli Whiskey Salami | Dukes Shorty Sausages

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Hard Cheese Snacks (k)

Wrap the cheese to keep it from getting too greasy in your bag. You can also find cheese snacks that are freeze-dried and can be eaten like chips!

Another tasty one of our high protein hiking snacks that is easy to consume on the trail is string cheese. String cheese is high in protein and comes in a number of flavors, including Colby Jack, cheddar, and the most popular, mozzarella. It's great on its own or with meat or fish for a quick trail supper that doesn't require any preparation!

Cheese that is good for hiking typically has the following characteristics:

• It is a Firm or semi-firm cheese
• It has been aged
• It has a low moisture content

Our Favorite Picks: Horizon Organic | Mini Babybel

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Keto Protein Bars

What hiking snack list would be complete without energy bars? Just keep in mind that some of these protein bars contain a lot of sugar alcohols, which each body processes differently; we've found that eating more than half a bar per day has a significant impact on our ability to hike up the hills we need to. We've identified a handful that keep the sugar alcohols to a minimum and allow us to go on with our hike.

Our Favorite Picks: Perfect Keto Bars | Quest Bars

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Fatty's Beef Sticks (k)

There isn't much to say about these hefty sticks o'beef other than they are just what you need and want! They are the O.G. BIG meat snack. Packed with protein. Low in Sugar. Crafted with real ingredients. Cut out all of the marketing lingo and fancy packaging, Faty's serves up a fantastic chunk of meat, that's relatively healthy and keeps you moving on the trail!

Our Favorite Flavors: Jalapeno | Original | Pepperoni

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Avocado

These packable veggies provide a much needed bit of green into your daily diet and are such a great source of fat (and low net carbs).

Avocados are another great way to get plant-based healthy fats in your diet. They are crammed with vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B6, C, and E. Their anti-inflammatory properties will keep your body feeling fresh on mile ten.  

To make this a trail-friendly snack, bring a pocket knife and a small spoon. Bring a small garbage bag with you to pack out the pits and peels. Although fruit scraps may appear innocent, they can attract wildlife and disrupt the local environment.

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Keto Trail Mix

We put together our own mix of dark chocolates, almonds, and macadamia nuts. It keeps it simple, delicious and nutritious.

– 2 squares (1/6 a bar) Theo's dark chocolate
– 1 oz almonds
– 1 oz Macadamia nuts

This mixture was crunchy, salty, and chocolatey, and it was exactly right. Place this on the outside of your bag to melt the chocolate on hot days, then massage the bag to mix the nuts and coat them in chocolate. You've got a chocolate-covered nuts snack if it cools down! Grab a spoon and dig in if it stays melted.

Keto Hiking Snacks Wrap-up

We hope this helps navigate the grocery aisles with ease when loading up before your next hiking adventure. This is a simplified list of keto hiking snacks that shold serve as a starting point or baseline for any adventures, including backpacking.

If you are not keto, or hiking on a cheat day, check out our 7 High Protein Hiking Snacks artcile to make sure you're still getting the proper nutrients.