Doc says I need to manage my blood sugar. I have always had bars for breakfast on travel days to save time and cleanup. The problem is the amount of carbs and sugar (almost 30% of daily allowance) in only one package. On rest days I have healthier options and time and cooking are not an issue.

Can anyone suggest any quick, non-cooking alternative that provides the energy for a morning paddle and portage? I will do instant oatmeal only as a last resort!

Thanks, merlyn

These might work for you WEe have found them at WalMart etc.

KIND bars, several are 5g sugar per bar.

I’m far from an expert here, but have on trips been trying to lean toward higher protein and higher fat foods, especially for breakfast. Helps me avaoid the sugar rush and subsequent crash. Check out Atkinson bars. If you look at the protein to sugar ratio, they will beat many others. Add a hand full of cashews and some home made jerky and you are set.

As for oatmeal, I’ve moved completely away from instant oatmeal for camping or home. 1 minute oatmeal takes, well, just one more minute. At home I cook them for one minute, but in camp I just boil water, add to my cozy covered pot and let sit. Add some powdered milk and butter to add fat and protein.

Consider buying some whey powder. I add to oatmeal or especially my pancakes. Increasing fat and protein reduces the amount of carbs (if you eat the same amount). Also watch out for and avoid added sugars.

Yes, add fat, fiber, protein, subtract sugar. The bars I linked are 190 calories, 10g fat, 8g fiber, 15g protein, and 2g added sugar. Fat, fiber, protein all blunt the glycemic response.

Aldi has some decent ones. Make sure you get the ones labeled "meal" and not "snack", they are well marked.

merlyn: "Doc says I need to manage my blood sugar. I have always had bars for breakfast on travel days to save time and cleanup. The problem is the amount of carbs and sugar (almost 30% of daily allowance) in only one package. On rest days I have healthier options and time and cooking are not an issue.
Can anyone suggest any quick, non -cooking alternative that provides the energy for a morning paddle and portage. I will do instant oatmeal only as a last resort!
Thanks, merlyn
"

Assuming you are T2D (?)

My son is a Type 1 Diabetic (6 yr old) and wears a CGM (so we can see his blood sugar continuously). I respect that Type 2 (non-insulin dependent) is a different disease so just take this as a different perspective from a guy who watches BG all day and loves canoe tripping.

To you and any Type 2 diabetics reading this, I'm guessing you are typically
the rock in the group and don't want to be the reason for any delay or special consideration. If so, you're exactly like my father-in-law, who is an awesome guy and a great fisherman. Guess what...time to sack up and do what needs to be done because you're needed in this life.

Talk to a dietician and take each of those conversations seriously. It's time to make some subtle, yet permanent changes to your diet/lifestyle. Don't be strong at everything else and weak at this...If you're still in the 'control by diet' part of it, it might be time to ditch the bars...not my call though; talk to a dietician and have that real conversation.

If you are insulin dependent or are taking metformin, RX bars are the lowest glycemic index I've seen in typical 'bars' (the times my son has eaten them).

Rest assured...disrespected diabetes will be so much more uncomfortable than any 'bar substitute' you will ever eat in your entire life.

Thanks all! You can always count on the BWCA forum for good advice.
To doubledown -- yes, type 2 and have been well advised by the health care staff. I have always been healthy and up till now have never needed any medications and so feel sort of angry by the need to modify and correct my lifestyle. So be it, I take my medication, watch my diet and am losing weight.
I have purchased several of products suggested by the kind folks on the forum and have created my own non cook breakfast mix that I am confident will work for me.
16 days and a wakeup to the BWCA!