Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Mountaineer Urges Caution With Nuts During High-Altitude Treks
Premlata Agrawal explained that raisins, dates and figs are dried fruits, while almonds and cashews are nuts.
Nuts contain fat, protein and fibre, so they usually take longer to digest than sugary foods.
At high altitudes, less oxygen, dehydration and changes in routine can make digestion feel harder.
Eating a large amount of nuts may therefore cause fullness or bloating for some trekkers.
This does not mean trekkers must avoid nuts.
Dried fruits can give quick energy because they contain carbohydrates.
Nuts can help people feel satisfied for longer and support recovery.
A small amount of nuts mixed with some dried fruit may be easier to tolerate.
Trekkers still need to drink water and consume electrolytes because these foods do not provide enough hydration.
Premlata Agrawal distinguished dried fruits such as raisins, figs, dates and apricots from nuts such as almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts.
Dr Sarang Deshpande said nuts are naturally slower to digest because they contain fat, protein and fibre.
Reduced oxygen, dehydration and routine changes at high altitude may contribute to fullness, bloating or digestive discomfort.
Dried fruits can provide relatively quick carbohydrates, while nuts offer fats, protein and minerals for longer-lasting satisfaction and recovery.
Neither nuts nor dried fruits replace water; trekkers should eat manageable portions and maintain adequate fluids and electrolytes.
- Who
- Mountaineer Premlata Agrawal and Dr Sarang Deshpande, a consultant at KIMS Hospitals, Thane.
- What
- They discussed how trekkers should consume nuts and dried fruits at high altitudes, including digestion, energy and hydration.
- When
- The discussion was reported recently; no specific date was given.
- Where
- During mountain trekking at high altitudes.
- Why
- Large portions of nuts may cause digestive discomfort, while dried fruits and nuts provide different types of energy and nutrition; neither replaces water.
Mountaineer’s Caution
Doctor’s Clarification
Eating nuts at altitude
Mountaineer’s Caution
Premlata Agrawal cautioned trekkers against eating large quantities of nuts in the mountains because they can take a long time to digest and require attention to water intake.
Doctor’s Clarification
Dr Sarang Deshpande said nuts do not need to be avoided, but large portions may cause fullness, bloating or discomfort; a small handful is usually easier to tolerate.
Choosing between nuts and dried fruits
Mountaineer’s Caution
Agrawal emphasized the distinction between dried fruits and nuts when discussing trekking food.
Doctor’s Clarification
Deshpande said they are complementary: dried fruits provide quicker carbohydrate energy, while nuts provide fats, protein and minerals for longer-lasting satisfaction and recovery.
Hydration
Mountaineer’s Caution
Agrawal advised trekkers to consider how much water they drink after eating nuts.
Doctor’s Clarification
Deshpande clarified that neither nuts nor dried fruits should be treated as a substitute for water, and that adequate fluids and electrolytes remain necessary.
- Mountaineer
- Premlata Agrawal, described as the first Indian woman to scale the Seven Summits.
- Dried fruits mentioned
- Raisins, dried figs, dates and apricots.
- Nuts mentioned
- Almonds, cashews, pistachios and walnuts.
- Why nuts may feel heavy
- They contain considerable amounts of fat, protein and fibre and are naturally slower to digest.
- Quick-energy foods
- Dates and raisins provide carbohydrates that can be useful during a long climb.
- Suggested snack
- A small amount of nuts combined with some raisins or dates.
- Hydration advice
- Nuts and dried fruits should not substitute for water; fluids and electrolytes remain important.