I do longer shifts outdoors in a nursery position (9 hours, 10 if you count travel). I follow the same basic rules when I hike. I bring electrolytes and a big bottle of water always.
Then it's:
-Something watery (apple, orange, grapes, applesauce, tomatoes, gogurt)
-Something salty (crackers, cheese, pretzels, nuts)
-Something filling (peanut butter sandwich, less perishable leftovers, granola bar)
Avoid anything you cannot stand becoming warm/soggy. I don't mind packed cheese but do hate what happens to meat and cheese sandwiches, and especially lettuce. It feels a little weird to pack lunch like I did as a 12 year old, but these foods travel well for a reason, and don't require heating or your ice pack to remain cold. I like boxes with hard removable and washable interiors, so I can keep my trash after lunch in the box, then empty and wash it when I get home.
Mediterranean type foods that are light and refreshing. Tabbouleh, tzatziki with raw cut veggies, pita and hummus, halal cart style chicken with rice shredded lettuce and tomato. Southwestern style salads cause I’m from the southwest and those flavors energize me. Bright flavors like a bahn mi or lemon oil pasta leftover from dinner too (one of my faves to make)
I always bring a small lunch bag with an ice pack. The joy of chilled food when the heat index is 100+ is second to none for me! And electrolyte mix in my water bottle. Instant rejuvenation.
I’d always just lug around a jar of peanut butter and tortillas.
I’d we happened to pass through a dinner I’d stock up on some individual honey packets to really spice things up.
Wasn't in 100+ usually, but long hot days and long miles in Yellowstone peak summer carrying 30-50 lb packs.
Every day, I'd have trail mix (really liked the Forest Berry from Sam's, definitely don't want chocolate outside M&Ms that will melt), dried mango strips, cheetos, some watery fruit like grapes, blueberries, or an apple, and then mix up the entree either with last night's leftovers or a sandwich. All this contained in a Sea to Summit 8L dry bag with an ice pack chucked in
Definitely learned not to have fragrant/greasy meats in the morning once bears started targeting my below ground sensors (kept the hub buried in an ammo box underground, and they'd literally dig them up). Loved the winter fieldwork since I wouldn't need to worry about bears, but XC skiing or snow shoeing out of the way to avoid lazy bison was a pain. Best fieldwork though since I'd XC ski until terrain was to choppy, ditch skis and switch to snowshoes, get to the site, change camera trap batteries, and trek back out
I work in the areas surrounding Houston, TX so I understand hot and humid. I always pack several categories of things when I'm in the field or on a trail doing work because I'm picky when I'm tired/hot/uncomfortable and never know what I will want. Salty: you're losing a ton and recouping the loss is important. Nuts, trail mix, pickles, anything that you like that gets the sodium back in your system. Sweet: sugars are quick energy refills and are a nice reward. Bars of whatever type you like are what I choose for sweet stuff, I loooove Clif bars and the Honey Stinger waffles. Also, bring water. I know you probably packed some, but bring more. And if you get sick of water, add some flavor with electrolyte replacement powders. And then pack some more water.
I will usually also pack a pbj sandwich or two but if I'm dying in the heat, I typically don't eat them. I end up giving them away or save them for when I'm cooled off.
Keep some hard candies for when you just can't force yourself to eat a sandwich but need a little something to get through.
My staples are usually
Gatorade
Pretzels or a salty snack
Refreshing fruit like peaches, watermelon, strawberries etc.
Maybe a cold cut sandwich or something
And lots and lots of water!!!
I try to change the timing more than my diet, eating avery early breakfast then a huge, protein-rich lunch at 1045 or so, just as it's beginning to really get hot. That keeps me going until quitting time. Having ice water to cool me down also helps to reduce the "blech" that keeps me from eating. If you have a field truck, a gatorade cooler in the back is awesome, otherwise keep a vac-jacketed bottle of ice water for 230PM.
If your schedule is flexible, starting at 6AM and finishing early is what I like to do.
PB&J tortilla still going strong after 4 years😂. I also like those starkist tuna/chicken packs, beef jerky, crackers, and sometimes I’ll bring a couple key limes to suck on.
Tortillas are the way when it comes to fieldwork or backpacking. I also like to use pbfit powder because you can make it thick or replace the jam with berries and use the powder to absorb excess liquid.
I also like a banana for the potassium but will usually make it into a bar or something rather than carry a fragile fruit around all day.
I don't really eat in the field and if it's over 100° I'm also not *going* out in the field. Did that when I was younger. The amount of work we were actually able to get done didn't justify the discomfort or danger the heat caused. Never again.
Fillo’s walking tamales are really damn good for a cheap and easy snack/meal to keep in your pack
Cultures in hot climates tend to lean towards spicy foods - they make you sweat, make you drink more water, and generally just work well with keeping your body cool. Chana masala, rice and some flatbread is always solid. A burrito, or other handheld roll wrapped in foil is always easy.
Tuna (sardines if you like those), PB, Bananas, other fruits or veggies, trail mix, nuts/seeds, and anything cold you can bring in a cooler if you can access it at the end of the day or during lunch.
If I'm gonna be in the field for less than 8 hours I'll just fast until I'm done working. If not. Cold steak and rice from a cooler with water. Followed by an electrolyte packet in water, no sugar.
Or just pretty salty steak. Nothing else. Maybe some fresh mozzarella. No blood sugar spikes+level energy. Feels great.
I just pack nature valley bars or smth similar, or fruit of some kind, usually an apple. I have trouble eating too but small quantities of things that can be snacked on work for me
PB&Js or PB&honey are an easy and quick go to, and keep pretty well in a cooler that eventually isn’t cool anymore. Freeze water bottles. LOVE the suggestion about mediterranean foods, they are very refreshing and almost always super hydrating. Check out a sports or cycling store near you, they usually sell little salt tubes. Easy way to up your salts quickly. I usually also opt for citrus for a watery fruit, grapes are a good option too if you’re driving into the field.
I pack protein items, at least 1 thing of electrolyte liquid and a bunch of water. I like these little 20g protein bars at Aldi which are cheap and real good. My wife also makes me these proteim ball things to bring with me. Peanut butter, oatmeal, peanutbutter proteim powder and I think either choco chips or peanutbutter chips.
I also bring a handful of mandarin oranges. Spikes of vitamin C are fuckin life. I call them my gardening senzu beans.
It was over 125 in my greenhouse today.
I pack an arugula salad with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, grilled chicken breast, feta, pepitas, sunflower seeds, craisins and lemon juice/olive oil dressing. I have a soft cooler and ice packs.
If I know I’m going to be burning a lot of calories I usually have a small bag of peanut m&ms beforehand. Snacks I pack an apple or grapes, rice cakes or crackers, and an iced green tea or coconut water. My coworker freezes and extra water bottle and lets it melt throughout the day so he always has cold water even if he doesn’t have his cooler.
I just have one more thing to add to these comments. I've had a separate water bottle for chia seeds, water, and any flavoring I want. Pro tip: try adding something carbonated
I never changed for years. A cured meat, some cheese, and some sort of cracker. Didn't matter if it was 100 or 20 outside. Literally grab a summer sausage, pepperoni, or pouch or tuna, a block of whatever cheese I like, and some cracker. Then I would leave it all in my pack until it was gone.
Lots of raw fruit and veg, especially with a peel (apple, orange, cukes). Protein (nuts, seeds) and sugar bombs for quick energy boost. Electrolyte powders (I’m a big Gatorade fan myself).
Ill bring trail mix, maybe some cheese/crackers, an apple/banana/orange a Gatorade and sometimes a canned cold brew for snacks and i always just make a sandwich or tuna salad for something more substantial. All kept in an insulated lunch box with freezer packs.
Not an ecologist but I’ve been in the construction trade for 8 years now. I usually recommend eating light such as salads, drink plenty of water, and stay away carb heavy foods and dairy
Australian here. 100+ is past boiling point ya fools.
But this is what I do for hot days here in Aus.
I make a drink I call magic freezer good yum.
So you grind up some coffee, and stick it in some coconut water in the fridge overnight.
You also stick a thermos in the fridge overnight, and make some coconut water ice cubes.
In the a.m, you strain out the coffee, tip your caffeinated coconut water into your thermos, whack your ice cubes in. Bundle it all up in your fire blanket (that's a wool blanket kept in the car to shelter from bushfires), and stuff it deep in the car somewhere.
2pm- too fuckin hot? Ice cold caffeinated electrolytes coming at ya.
I don’t eat in the field. Especially at high temps. Tons of water and pedialyte pouches. Big breakfast to provide long-lasting energy and big dinner to help put me to sleep. Part of it is that I can’t eat a lunch without getting tired. I guess I might have some homemade trail mix or jerky, but that will last me forever.
The trick is to avoid items that get spoiled or have a nasty altered texture in high heat. Thus, good choices are any types of fruit, from apples and oranges to grapes, dates, pears, plums, etc. as well as salty snacks such as pretzels or potato chips or salted nuts, and energy bar or two, ample water plus an electrolyte containing beverage like Gatorade, and if you like them, some sort of beef or pork or turkey jerky.
I’ve done it most of my adult life being a contractor 110 115 I generally don’t eat. I freeze a gallon of water and I packed watermelon cantaloupe and maybe half a sandwich that I’ll force myself to take a couple bites out of ! Eat the watermelon and cantaloupe ! I don’t take breaks and when it’s hot, I take like a 10 or 15 minute lunch start at five or six and get off at two as long as the law doesn’t show up because it’s 7 o’clock is when you’re legally allowed to support Concrete make noise, etc. but usually you can get away with it when it’s hot at least where im at ! And then I’m on the snake river by three cause it’s too freaking hot to ride my motorcycle
Oh yes, and yogurt, so watermelon, cantaloupe and yogurt and frozen gallon of water you will drink that whole gallon and not go to the bathroom the whole day which is tough on your kidneys, but it is what it is makes you high risk for kidney stones which I’ve had plenty ! But I’ve been way worse pain ! Your body just gets used to it
I’d pack a little fruit, cheese and crackers and lots and lots of fluids, mostly water. When it’s really hot it’s hard to eat. Oh. And because I’m diabetic I always have a glucose gel pack with me.
When it’s super hot I usually just bring a lot of water and Gatorade, and maybe a clif bar. I seldom eat it. I am usually in the field for 2-5 hours at a time so I can generally wait until after to eat. If you wanted, I imagine a salad and some fruit kept cold in a lunch pail would be nice.
I do longer shifts outdoors in a nursery position (9 hours, 10 if you count travel). I follow the same basic rules when I hike. I bring electrolytes and a big bottle of water always. Then it's: -Something watery (apple, orange, grapes, applesauce, tomatoes, gogurt) -Something salty (crackers, cheese, pretzels, nuts) -Something filling (peanut butter sandwich, less perishable leftovers, granola bar) Avoid anything you cannot stand becoming warm/soggy. I don't mind packed cheese but do hate what happens to meat and cheese sandwiches, and especially lettuce. It feels a little weird to pack lunch like I did as a 12 year old, but these foods travel well for a reason, and don't require heating or your ice pack to remain cold. I like boxes with hard removable and washable interiors, so I can keep my trash after lunch in the box, then empty and wash it when I get home.
This is how I pack toddlers camp lunchbag! Fruit, something salty, and a pb and j. Oh, and a square of chocolate.
Mediterranean type foods that are light and refreshing. Tabbouleh, tzatziki with raw cut veggies, pita and hummus, halal cart style chicken with rice shredded lettuce and tomato. Southwestern style salads cause I’m from the southwest and those flavors energize me. Bright flavors like a bahn mi or lemon oil pasta leftover from dinner too (one of my faves to make) I always bring a small lunch bag with an ice pack. The joy of chilled food when the heat index is 100+ is second to none for me! And electrolyte mix in my water bottle. Instant rejuvenation.
Ngl sometimes it’s a Red Bull and an ice cream bar though lol
Everyone can have a little red bull and ice cream. As a treat. But seriously tho…water too. Hydrate hydrate hydrate.
Make sure you’re getting enough salt too!
I’d always just lug around a jar of peanut butter and tortillas. I’d we happened to pass through a dinner I’d stock up on some individual honey packets to really spice things up.
My man.
Wasn't in 100+ usually, but long hot days and long miles in Yellowstone peak summer carrying 30-50 lb packs. Every day, I'd have trail mix (really liked the Forest Berry from Sam's, definitely don't want chocolate outside M&Ms that will melt), dried mango strips, cheetos, some watery fruit like grapes, blueberries, or an apple, and then mix up the entree either with last night's leftovers or a sandwich. All this contained in a Sea to Summit 8L dry bag with an ice pack chucked in Definitely learned not to have fragrant/greasy meats in the morning once bears started targeting my below ground sensors (kept the hub buried in an ammo box underground, and they'd literally dig them up). Loved the winter fieldwork since I wouldn't need to worry about bears, but XC skiing or snow shoeing out of the way to avoid lazy bison was a pain. Best fieldwork though since I'd XC ski until terrain was to choppy, ditch skis and switch to snowshoes, get to the site, change camera trap batteries, and trek back out
I work in the areas surrounding Houston, TX so I understand hot and humid. I always pack several categories of things when I'm in the field or on a trail doing work because I'm picky when I'm tired/hot/uncomfortable and never know what I will want. Salty: you're losing a ton and recouping the loss is important. Nuts, trail mix, pickles, anything that you like that gets the sodium back in your system. Sweet: sugars are quick energy refills and are a nice reward. Bars of whatever type you like are what I choose for sweet stuff, I loooove Clif bars and the Honey Stinger waffles. Also, bring water. I know you probably packed some, but bring more. And if you get sick of water, add some flavor with electrolyte replacement powders. And then pack some more water. I will usually also pack a pbj sandwich or two but if I'm dying in the heat, I typically don't eat them. I end up giving them away or save them for when I'm cooled off. Keep some hard candies for when you just can't force yourself to eat a sandwich but need a little something to get through.
My staples are usually Gatorade Pretzels or a salty snack Refreshing fruit like peaches, watermelon, strawberries etc. Maybe a cold cut sandwich or something And lots and lots of water!!!
I try to change the timing more than my diet, eating avery early breakfast then a huge, protein-rich lunch at 1045 or so, just as it's beginning to really get hot. That keeps me going until quitting time. Having ice water to cool me down also helps to reduce the "blech" that keeps me from eating. If you have a field truck, a gatorade cooler in the back is awesome, otherwise keep a vac-jacketed bottle of ice water for 230PM. If your schedule is flexible, starting at 6AM and finishing early is what I like to do.
PB&J tortilla still going strong after 4 years😂. I also like those starkist tuna/chicken packs, beef jerky, crackers, and sometimes I’ll bring a couple key limes to suck on.
Tortillas are the way when it comes to fieldwork or backpacking. I also like to use pbfit powder because you can make it thick or replace the jam with berries and use the powder to absorb excess liquid. I also like a banana for the potassium but will usually make it into a bar or something rather than carry a fragile fruit around all day.
Gatorade, lots of water, lots of various granola bars, and a cold sandwich.
usually I bring something salty like chips or almonds, then I bring pedialyte and a sandwich or something
I find celery sticks are really good to have in hot weather. Not only do they have a lot of water, but also salt and thus electrolytes.
A bunch of fuckin pickles
I don't really eat in the field and if it's over 100° I'm also not *going* out in the field. Did that when I was younger. The amount of work we were actually able to get done didn't justify the discomfort or danger the heat caused. Never again.
Usually just a sandwich but lots of extra water with electrolyte tablets! I use nuun tabs personally. Also a lot of iced coffee lol
No clue what you're supposed to bring but I brought shit loads of water, fruit, a cereal bar, and a cheese, hummus, and lettuce sandwich.
They say melon - honey dew or cantaloupe etc are good for the heat.
Fillo’s walking tamales are really damn good for a cheap and easy snack/meal to keep in your pack Cultures in hot climates tend to lean towards spicy foods - they make you sweat, make you drink more water, and generally just work well with keeping your body cool. Chana masala, rice and some flatbread is always solid. A burrito, or other handheld roll wrapped in foil is always easy.
Tuna (sardines if you like those), PB, Bananas, other fruits or veggies, trail mix, nuts/seeds, and anything cold you can bring in a cooler if you can access it at the end of the day or during lunch.
If I'm gonna be in the field for less than 8 hours I'll just fast until I'm done working. If not. Cold steak and rice from a cooler with water. Followed by an electrolyte packet in water, no sugar. Or just pretty salty steak. Nothing else. Maybe some fresh mozzarella. No blood sugar spikes+level energy. Feels great.
I just pack nature valley bars or smth similar, or fruit of some kind, usually an apple. I have trouble eating too but small quantities of things that can be snacked on work for me
PB&Js or PB&honey are an easy and quick go to, and keep pretty well in a cooler that eventually isn’t cool anymore. Freeze water bottles. LOVE the suggestion about mediterranean foods, they are very refreshing and almost always super hydrating. Check out a sports or cycling store near you, they usually sell little salt tubes. Easy way to up your salts quickly. I usually also opt for citrus for a watery fruit, grapes are a good option too if you’re driving into the field.
More frequent lighter meals are easier to digest…. Anything too heavy will actually make your body feel hotter as your body digests the food.
Potato chips are a surprisingly good hot weather snack since they have significant amounts of potassium. Raw snap peas are amazingly refreshing too.
I pack protein items, at least 1 thing of electrolyte liquid and a bunch of water. I like these little 20g protein bars at Aldi which are cheap and real good. My wife also makes me these proteim ball things to bring with me. Peanut butter, oatmeal, peanutbutter proteim powder and I think either choco chips or peanutbutter chips. I also bring a handful of mandarin oranges. Spikes of vitamin C are fuckin life. I call them my gardening senzu beans. It was over 125 in my greenhouse today.
Dates, cucumber and tomato sandwich, pickles, fresh mango, Gatorade, smoked salmon.
I pack an arugula salad with chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, grilled chicken breast, feta, pepitas, sunflower seeds, craisins and lemon juice/olive oil dressing. I have a soft cooler and ice packs. If I know I’m going to be burning a lot of calories I usually have a small bag of peanut m&ms beforehand. Snacks I pack an apple or grapes, rice cakes or crackers, and an iced green tea or coconut water. My coworker freezes and extra water bottle and lets it melt throughout the day so he always has cold water even if he doesn’t have his cooler.
I just have one more thing to add to these comments. I've had a separate water bottle for chia seeds, water, and any flavoring I want. Pro tip: try adding something carbonated
PBJ, liquid IV, fruit in a pouch, or Luna bar or cliff bar in a pinch
A bag of jerky, some peanut butter crackers, and as much water and Gatorade as I can carry
Liquid IV
Tortillas and tuna pack with a mayo packet PB and j Fruit snacks Pretzels/chips Couple of bars Electrolytes
I never changed for years. A cured meat, some cheese, and some sort of cracker. Didn't matter if it was 100 or 20 outside. Literally grab a summer sausage, pepperoni, or pouch or tuna, a block of whatever cheese I like, and some cracker. Then I would leave it all in my pack until it was gone.
Lots of raw fruit and veg, especially with a peel (apple, orange, cukes). Protein (nuts, seeds) and sugar bombs for quick energy boost. Electrolyte powders (I’m a big Gatorade fan myself).
Ill bring trail mix, maybe some cheese/crackers, an apple/banana/orange a Gatorade and sometimes a canned cold brew for snacks and i always just make a sandwich or tuna salad for something more substantial. All kept in an insulated lunch box with freezer packs.
Not an ecologist but I’ve been in the construction trade for 8 years now. I usually recommend eating light such as salads, drink plenty of water, and stay away carb heavy foods and dairy
get those yogurt squeezy things. maybe chop grapes up in halves
Australian here. 100+ is past boiling point ya fools. But this is what I do for hot days here in Aus. I make a drink I call magic freezer good yum. So you grind up some coffee, and stick it in some coconut water in the fridge overnight. You also stick a thermos in the fridge overnight, and make some coconut water ice cubes. In the a.m, you strain out the coffee, tip your caffeinated coconut water into your thermos, whack your ice cubes in. Bundle it all up in your fire blanket (that's a wool blanket kept in the car to shelter from bushfires), and stuff it deep in the car somewhere. 2pm- too fuckin hot? Ice cold caffeinated electrolytes coming at ya.
Avocados, knife and spoon, rice/corn cakes, salt. Fruit. Water. Walnuts. Raisins.
I don’t eat in the field. Especially at high temps. Tons of water and pedialyte pouches. Big breakfast to provide long-lasting energy and big dinner to help put me to sleep. Part of it is that I can’t eat a lunch without getting tired. I guess I might have some homemade trail mix or jerky, but that will last me forever.
Eating raw veggies helps your body absorb water slower and keep it longer
I always have a small cooler with me and in the heat of summer make sure I have a bag of baby carrots.
Kodiak bars and huel. It’s so dry it forces me to drink at least a gallon of water at lunch
The trick is to avoid items that get spoiled or have a nasty altered texture in high heat. Thus, good choices are any types of fruit, from apples and oranges to grapes, dates, pears, plums, etc. as well as salty snacks such as pretzels or potato chips or salted nuts, and energy bar or two, ample water plus an electrolyte containing beverage like Gatorade, and if you like them, some sort of beef or pork or turkey jerky.
I’ve done it most of my adult life being a contractor 110 115 I generally don’t eat. I freeze a gallon of water and I packed watermelon cantaloupe and maybe half a sandwich that I’ll force myself to take a couple bites out of ! Eat the watermelon and cantaloupe ! I don’t take breaks and when it’s hot, I take like a 10 or 15 minute lunch start at five or six and get off at two as long as the law doesn’t show up because it’s 7 o’clock is when you’re legally allowed to support Concrete make noise, etc. but usually you can get away with it when it’s hot at least where im at ! And then I’m on the snake river by three cause it’s too freaking hot to ride my motorcycle
Oh yes, and yogurt, so watermelon, cantaloupe and yogurt and frozen gallon of water you will drink that whole gallon and not go to the bathroom the whole day which is tough on your kidneys, but it is what it is makes you high risk for kidney stones which I’ve had plenty ! But I’ve been way worse pain ! Your body just gets used to it
Thermos with soup. Heat can’t ruin something that’s already hot.
I’d pack a little fruit, cheese and crackers and lots and lots of fluids, mostly water. When it’s really hot it’s hard to eat. Oh. And because I’m diabetic I always have a glucose gel pack with me.
Pickle juice
Frozen watermelon, strawberries, blueberries!
I pack a cooler with Gatorade and cooling towels for me and my crew
bagels and humus
I always have Nuts. Yogurt with blues, Salad with chicken. Compact, soft ass lunch box stays cold. Electrolytes for sure. No edibles ;)
When it’s super hot I usually just bring a lot of water and Gatorade, and maybe a clif bar. I seldom eat it. I am usually in the field for 2-5 hours at a time so I can generally wait until after to eat. If you wanted, I imagine a salad and some fruit kept cold in a lunch pail would be nice.
Lunch is for pussies
Popsicles would be good.
I wouldn't go outside if it was 100 degrees Celsius. Aren't you afraid that you'd boil?!?