WHAT TO EAT.

Eating well while walking the Camino de Santiago is key to successfully living the Jacobean experience. What should I eat during my Camino de Santiago? When should I eat? How often? These are some common questions that arise to the pilgrim before starting to walk or pedal. Making 5 meals a day, eating a balanced diet and constantly hydrating are some keys to get a good diet during the Camino de Santiago.

As in our day to day, the ideal on the Camino de Santiago is to distribute the food we eat in 5 meals, thus avoiding spending many hours on an empty stomach. The pilgrim’s breakfast is the most important meal of the day, as it will give us the energy needed to adequately face the stage. Although many people do not have the stomach prepared to eat a lot of food first thing in the morning, it is necessary to make a small effort.

It is not a question of eating a lot, but of eating in a balanced way. In fact, in the early hours of the day it is not advisable to eat a large amount of food, as digestion can take its toll. But neither is it enough to have a coffee and start walking. In order to have a balanced breakfast you can combine carbohydrates (bread, toast, cereals…), proteins (cheese, yoghourts, eggs…) and healthy fats (nuts, olive oil… with a piece of fruit.

During the route it is advisable to have a snack to help you recover energy. For these intermediate meals (mid-morning or mid-afternoon), nuts, cereal or energy bars, fruit or even a sandwich are suitable. If the lunch catches you in the middle of the stage, it is best to choose a light meal so that you don’t feel heavy when you continue your journey. Opt for foods that provide energy without being heavy, such as white meat or fish accompanied by salad or small portions of pasta or rice.

After each stage comes the reward: a good dinner to help you recover the energy you’ve used up. Dinner should not be as light as lunch, so it’s a good time to try the local cuisine. However, try not to eat too much, or at least don’t go to bed as soon as you finish eating. Going to bed with a full stomach can cause you to lose sleep or even cause heartburn or reflux. And getting a good night’s rest is just as important for recovering energy for the next day. For a balanced dinner, it is advisable to include proteins and carbohydrates, as these are foods that provide energy and are consumed quickly.

Another of the important things a pilgrim should do during his Camino de Santiago is to hydrate constantly. Especially on the hottest days and in the central hours. It is advisable to drink small sips of water from time to time. Keep in mind that we should not wait to be thirsty to drink. Along each of our stages we will find fountains and all kinds of establishments where we can replenish water and hydrate ourselves.

Following these recommendations will help you be ready for any challenge!

An article by Caminoconcorreos.
And remember, whatever path you may choose  in the Camino, you can always rely on  HOSTAL GAU TXORI: comfortable accommodation, nice and traditional food and wonderful natural landscapes as you pass by Zubiri.