If you’ve ever headed out early to your favorite deer hunting spot, only to get really hungry just a couple of hours later, why not try something new?

Marshfield Clinic Dietitian Chrisanne Urban has some suggestions for tasty, easy snacks for hunting to ward off hunger and keep your energy levels high.

Easy, healthy snacking for hunters

Buy simple trail mixes with dried fruit, nuts and dark chocolate. Or make your own snack mix by combining a whole-grain cereal like Chex (wheat, rice or corn), oat squares, unsalted peanuts, almonds and pistachios. These snacks, portioned in bags, provide good, long-acting energy and curb your hunger.

“The favorite snack at my house might surprise you: peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread,” Urban said. “Wrap the sandwich in cling wrap, add a piece of fruit and you’ve got a high-energy mini-meal.”

If you’re willing to work just a bit, fry an egg and put it on a whole wheat or whole grain English muffin. Or get some steel cut oatmeal (not packaged oatmeal) and cook it overnight in a slow cooker with almonds, walnuts and/or berries.

If you have a cooler, pack skim or low-fat milk, yogurt and cheese sticks. Eat cheese with low-sodium whole grain crackers such as Rye Crisp, Triscuits or Wheat Thins. You’ll have a nutritional treat that will stick to your ribs.

Avoid candy bars or other sweet treats high in calories and sodium that if eaten may lead to low blood sugar later. If you have diabetes, you know this but it wouldn’t hurt to share good food suggestions with your fellow hunters.

Are you ready?

Download this handy exercise guide and activity log to track your weekly progress.

You can do this.

Couch to deer camp provides health information and is not intended to be medical advice. Talk with your doctor prior to beginning a program of regular physical activity.