Everyone knows that Antarctica is cold and arid. The southernmost continent on earth was one of the last strongholds of the pristine realm without large-scale human settlements. However, not everyone knows what tourists eat when planning a trip to Antarctica.
Based on its arctic location, Antarctica is a destination without much native food. Tour operators in this part of the world import many of their terms. Here's a glimpse of what you can expect to eat when you go wildlife watching or sailing on an Antarctic iceberg.
When you are in Antarctica, you will feel hungry. If you're wondering what to eat in Antarctica, expect to find yourself constantly needing a nudge to 'keep you up'. A cup of black coffee won't be enough because you want to add sugar for an extra energy boost.
The cold temperatures in Antarctica will cause your body to burn more calories than in your home country. In much of the world, the average man needs about 2,500 calories a day to stay healthy, while the average woman needs 2,000 calories.
In Antarctica, travelers want to increase their calorie intake. Men can reach about 4,500 calories and women need about 3,900.
Don't worry about gaining weight because of the extra calories. You'll burn a lot of those calories as your body works to stay warm.
Antarctic Food - What's on the Menu in Antarctica?
The best selection of Antarctic food will keep you warm while providing energy. Here are some of the things you can see in the Antarctic menu:
Pemmican
Oh Pemmican, true Antarctic expedition food. Pemmican is a delicious meat and dry mix mixed with lots of fat. As well as being economical, Pemmican provides an energy boost without caffeine.
From a historical perspective, Pemmican originated when Native Americans dried meat for easy transportation and storage. The dishes don't look appetizing, but you need to taste them to see if you like them or not.
Bannock
Bannock is another traditional Antarctic food that will keep you alive even in the cold. Despite its origins in England, this bread recipe has been adopted by travelers all over the world including in Antarctica. The Antarctic explorer Intrepid can make Bannock while camping for the night on the ice. This bread is light and packed with calories.
During 1915, after their ship Endurance sank, Ernest Shackleton and his men grilled and ate Bannocks to survive their expedition. The recipe for Bannock includes flour, a little baking powder, and a generous amount of butter.
Hoosh
Hoosh is a combination of Pemmican, biscuit and melted ice mixed together in a broth. You'll especially want to eat Hoosh for food because it's not very flavorful.
Even if previously popular dishes fall out of favor, you may have the opportunity to eat Hoosh during your trip. We recommend that you give it a try for the experience and then move on to the tastier options.
Chocolate
Can you visit Antarctica without chocolate? The truth is yes, but your stay wouldn't be complete without a bar or two. If you're sledding or walking in the wild, you'll want to bring a stockpile of chocolate for that inevitable snack attack. Chocolate is a staple food in Antarctica. High in calories and energy, Chocolate is light to carry and can withstand the low temperatures of the Arctic.
In 1912 when Captain Robert Falcon traveled to Antarctica, his daily diet included 450 kilos of butter and cheese, 340 kilos of sugar, and 70 kilos of calories. Since transporting a large supply of chocolate was too expensive at the time, he chose to consume raw chocolate. Today, sledders can easily carry 530 kilocalories of chocolate to eat each day in addition to other foods.
Lack of Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
Due to its geographic location, expect to eat less fresh fruit and vegetables in Antarctica than at home. Due to importing products from other parts of the world, supplies are often limited.
When you stay at the base or aboard a ship, your dietary needs will be lower than in nature - about 2,750 calories (11,550 KJ) per day. The food is similar to what you would experience at home.
Post a Comment