Gear Not Stuff: July Edition
13 items to stay healthy while road tripping.
You’ll learn: What I bring on the road to eat well, work out, stay safe, and be entertained (by one really ridiculous podcast).
Housekeeping:
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It’s the second Friday of the month, which means it’s time for Gear Not Stuff.
I’ve been road-tripping this week. Sunday, I loaded my truck and headed north to Utah. I’ll be in San Francisco over the weekend and Monday for some work and the final Dead & Company concerts.
My wife, Leah, will not be attending those shows with me. The last time I dragged her to a Dead show, she said, “If this is what America was like in the late 60s, I’d have enlisted and gone to Vietnam.”
As we learned in Monday’s post, travel can easily derail your health. Here’s some Gear Not Stuff that keeps me on the rails while on the road.
- Fair warning: Sometimes this post might seem like a 2% sponsor party. But I’ve aligned with Momentous, Maui Nui, and GORUCK because I actually use their products and believe in their missions (imagine that!).
Supplements
I partnered with Momentous Nutrition because their research and testing standards are the best in the business. The brand, indeed, made me feel good about supplements again. I take these three items wherever I go:
Momentous Essential Multi
Remember from the 2% Vitamin and Mineral Guide that most people probably don’t meet the daily recommendations for at least one vitamin or mineral.
A multivitamin is your first line of defense to cover your bases. Researchers at Harvard, Tufts, and other medical schools reviewed all the literature on multivitamins and concluded:
Results from some observational studies and large-scale, randomized, controlled trials suggest that (multivitamin/mineral supplements) may reduce the risk of some forms of cancer and, potentially, cardiovascular disease.
Momentous Essential Plant-Based Protein
I try to eat at least 120 grams of protein a day.
Sorry to insert math into an otherwise pleasant day, but getting at least .6 grams of protein per pound of your body weight seems to be ideal for active people. I weigh 180 pounds, hence 120 grams a day.
But hitting 120 grams or more isn’t always easy on the road, especially because I try not to eat too much conventional meat (note: this decision has nothing to do with health).
The magic of protein powder is its convenience. Just dump a scoop into a bottle, add water, shake, and drink. No refrigeration. No cooking. Minimal cleanup.
I prefer plant protein because it’s easier on my stomach and removes animals from the equation.
Momentous’ variety should be the go-to for people who prefer plant protein powder. It’s tested to ensure that it contains no surprises.
Not many other brands can say that. A recent investigation discovered many of the most popular plant protein powders contain concerning levels of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, mercury, and lead.
Momentous Magnesium
Recall from the 2% Vitamin and Mineral Guide that more than half of Americans may not meet the daily recommended intake of magnesium. Not getting enough is associated with an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Supplementing seems to offset issues if you’re in the “not enough” camp. More info here.
Magnesium is relatively harder to get enough of from food. So I supplement. Some evidence also suggests supplementing it can improve sleep patterns.
- Note: the code EASTER gets you 15% off all Momentous products.
Snacks
Maui Nui Venison Sticks
These have become my go-to travel snack. They’re like a Slim Jim—if Slim Jims were delicious and really good for you.
Maui Nui Venison Sticks have 50 calories and 9 grams of protein. They’re essentially pure protein, and because that protein comes from Axis Deer, it’s packed with more vitamins and minerals than beef.
Here’s some fascinating research on the insane nutritional quality of axis deer.
- Use the code EASTER for 15% off.
Apples
Apples are the OG fruit. Their combination of fiber and water makes them more filling per calorie than most fruits. I’ll go to Costco before a road trip and buy a case.
Three things:
- Envy apples are my favorite right now. They have a killer balance of sweetness, tartness, and crispness
- I eat the core because I am a savage who refuses to deal with trash.
- I am absolutely here for the revolution in apple varieties. The grocery store seems to have a new type of apple every time I visit.
Training Gear
