Adventure Nutritionist
Nutrition Education for Outdoor Professionals
Are You Fuelled for the Demands of Your Work?
Do you work as an outdoor professional? Whether you’re an instructor, educator, or guide—or hold any physically demanding job in the outdoors—you know the energy demands of your role are unique. But are you fuelling yourself for the level of physical activity your job requires? Being fuelled off passion is not enough when your energy needs are that of an endurance athlete.
If you’re part of an organisation employing outdoor professionals, this question applies to you too. Your team needs the right nutrition to perform at their best day in and day out, and we’re here to help make that possible.
I’m Kristine Peter, an Adventure Nutritionist with over a decade of experience as an outdoor educator, instructor, and guide. I’ve hiked, paddled, biked, and led trips across Canada, Australia, and the U.S., all while discovering the essential role nutrition plays in sustaining high energy levels in demanding environments. Despite having an honours degree in Outdoor Recreation, I didn’t fully realise that my energy needs were more akin to those of endurance athletes—nor was I taught to fuel myself accordingly. I’ve learned firsthand just how critical nutrition is for outdoor professionals, and now I share that knowledge with others.
Why Individualised Nutrition Education?
Why Bother with Individualised Nutrition?
Investing in nutrition education tailored to individual energy needs has powerful benefits for both outdoor professionals and the organisations that employ them. Here’s what’s gained by supporting this essential skill set:
Physically demanding outdoor jobs often lead to burnout, especially when energy needs aren’t met. When professionals understand how to fuel themselves properly, they experience fewer energy crashes, better recovery, and overall improved stamina. This can translate into greater job satisfaction and longer careers, helping organisations retain skilled, experienced staff.
Outdoor professionals have intense schedules, often working day after day in challenging environments with minimal opportunities for rest. Consistently fuelling at the right level supports the body’s ability to endure these conditions, helping prevent issues like chronic fatigue, decreased immune function, and mental fog. With adequate fuelling, professionals can maintain sharper focus and higher energy levels, which is essential for safety and decision-making in the field.
While we won’t dive into Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), the reality is that when energy needs aren’t met, the body suffers in more ways than one. A lack of adequate, personalised nutrition can lead to issues like hormonal imbalances, decreased bone density, and weakened immune function. By equipping outdoor professionals with the knowledge to meet their individual needs, they’re better able to support their long-term health, making them more resilient both in their careers and in life.
Understanding how to meet personal nutrition needs is a skill set as essential as first aid, technical training, or group facilitation. It empowers individuals to take control of their well-being, enhancing their capacity to lead others effectively. As professionals grasp the nuances of fuelling and hydration, they become better role models and educators, passing these insights on to participants and clients who may benefit from them as well.
Why Nutrition for Outdoor Professionals is Different
Unique Nutrition Needs of Outdoor Professionals
When I run nutrition educational workshops for people who work and play in outdoor settings, a common theme arises: how we manage food on multi-day trips. Topics like; food availability, food safety and storage, water access, and food weight considerations for carrying are all focal points.
And for good reason. These are all important, and many professionals and organisations have honed their systems to address them. However, understanding individual fuelling needs is a different challenge. It’s about more than meal plans or food systems. It’s about a personalised approach to energy needs, supporting professionals so they can perform at their peak while guiding others.
It's also about having the skills to support health with a reduced risk of injury and illness while working in the outdoors.
Outdoor professionals have unique fuelling needs that go beyond traditional nutrition advice or even classic sports nutrition. The demands of working in the field day after day often mean high energy requirements, with minimal opportunities for recovery and rest—something endurance athletes experience, but typically in short bursts. For outdoor professionals, this is their everyday reality.
Such as the example of multi-day hiking trips. The energy requirements (what we need from food) are similar that of an endurance athlete competing in an event. Where the hiker seem to be going at a lower intensity, carrying a 20kg pack makes up for the reduced speed.
But unlike an endurance athlete who once their event is over can focus the following days on refuelling and recovery, the multi-day hiker get's up the next morning and does it all again. And again. And again.
The Importance of Fuelling as a Professional Skill
Why Fuelling is a Professional Skill
While organisations can support their staff’s nutrition, the ability to fuel oneself appropriately with food whole working and on-trail is an essential skill for each individual. Like first aid, technical training, or facilitation skills, nutrition knowledge is an integral part of being a well-rounded outdoor professional.
How Adventure Nutritionist Can Help
Our Services for Outdoor Professionals
At Adventure Nutritionist, we offer both in-person and online nutrition education programmes designed specifically for outdoor professionals. Our offerings include:
We meet you where you are, addressing your unique needs whether you’re an individual seeking guidance for multi-day endurance fuelling or an organisation looking to equip your team with the skills they need to thrive.
Where to now?
For more information on our programmes or to discuss your needs, please reach out to Kristine Peter, Adventure Nutritionist, at info@kristinepeter.com. Or you can schedule a time to connect today, just follow the information below.
Schedule a Time to Discuss Nutrition Education for Outdoor Professionals Today
Pick a time slot and book a conversation about how Adventure Nutrition can support you as an individual or your organisation today.
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Adventure Nutritionist
Hi, I'm Kris.
I’m a university-qualified, registered, and accredited Nutritionist. I re-trained and qualified mid-career, after initially working as an outdoor educator and instructor with various organisations in Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Alongside my background in outdoor education, I also have a strong foundation in community development with a specialisation in mental health.
Adventure Nutritionist, along with its tools, resources, and services, has allowed me to come full circle—returning to the outdoor industry with a new set of skills and knowledge.
I’m passionate about supporting adventurers, athletes, and outdoor professionals to optimise their physical and mental health through nutrition. My goal is to help people enhance their performance and reduce their risk of injury and illness by meeting the nutritional and energy demands of their active lifestyles.
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