National Outdoor Book Award Winner - Instructional Category

Climbing partners Maria Hines, a James Beard–award-winning chef, and Mercedes Pollmeier, an NSCA-certified strength and conditioning specialist and Level 2 nutritionist, decided that they’d had enough of packaged bars and goos. As a celebrated chef, Hines can make anything taste great, and Pollmeier knows the science behind exercise nutrition. On their long drives to crags an idea blossomed: write a nutrition book for mountain sports.

Peak Nutrition details 100 simple and tasty recipes within the context of outdoor goals and body science: motivation, recovery, hydration; how our digestive system works; how food provides energy; effects of weather and altitude; the relationship between food, muscle, and cramping; how nutrition relates to mental and physical stress; and much more. The authors also explore shifting eating habits and ways to develop a healthier approach, whether bouldering, climbing, backcountry skiing, mountain biking, trekking, or trail running. "Peak Profiles" offer food tips from elite athletes such as backcountry boarder Jeremy Jones and climber Sasha Diguilian and sample menus help readers plan what to prep and pack.