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I presume you are talking about the Meseta here in this.Hello,
I am posting this having just completed the Burgos to Ponferrada leg of Camino Frances. This would take my Camino mileage up to around 1,300km over a few shorter trips, so while I would not consider myself a veteran I do consider myself to have some experience of the Camino, and of walking and hiking more generally.
The fact that I am a professionally qualified nutritionist that has an interest in endurance sports is incidental, but I mention it solely because I make these comments from a place of having some nutrition education.
The title speaks for itself. The food on the La Maseta stretch of Camino Frances is beyond absysmal. Protein and vegetables are always a challenge on the Camino, but it reaches new heights on La Maseta. I realise that I may have been unlucky the odd day, but I don’t think that unlucky.
Between low protein child sized portions of pilgrim meals in albergues at night, followed by 4cm of white baguette toasted the following morning masquerading as breakfast, to nowhere near enough protein along the route to satisfy the nutritional guidelines of a sedentary person never mind an active pilgrim, to places being closed at the times people need to eat, to croissants wrapped in plastic bags, to bocadillo after bocadillo the food situation along La Maseta is an embarrassment to the Camino. I generally would eat anything put in front of me, but I struggled continually to get adequate nutrition.
I never come on the Camino looking for an easy time, but the people in hospitality along this part of the route seem to have given up. Perhaps they are exhausted after a long and exceptionally busy season, but regardless it’s extremely disappointing.
Whilst I personally found portion sizes (in all respects) on camino more than adequate I appreciate that I eat less than others.Between low protein child sized portions of pilgrim meals in albergues at night, followed by 4cm of white baguette toasted the following morning masquerading as breakfast, to nowhere near enough protein along the route to satisfy the nutritional guidelines of a sedentary person never mind an active pilgrim, to places being closed at the times people need to eat, to croissants wrapped in plastic bags, to bocadillo after bocadillo the food situation along La Maseta is an embarrassment to the Camino. I generally would eat anything put in front of me, but I struggled continually to get adequate nutrition.
I had the best pilgrim dinner at Los Canarios! Homemade gazpacho as a first course, and delicious roasted lemon chicken with roasted potatoes (no French fries!) with red pepper puree as the main course. Yummm!Calzadilla de La Cueza at Alojamiento Los Canarios and the list goes on.
I presume you are talking about the Meseta here in this.
If it was evident to you that you weren't getting sufficient, well balanced meals from albergues and other places you stayed, what did you do in response? There is no promise, on the camino or anywhere else, that your nutritional needs will be completely satisfied by the food made available in albergues, cafes and similar establishments. Other than in some limited circumstances like prisons, ships at sea and perhaps some remote mining sites, it would clearly be up to you to ensure that you satisfied yourself on this score. It doesn't seem to me anyone's responsibility but your own that your nutritional needs are satisfied. If that means supplementing what is being provided in albergues, cafes, etc by purchasing appropriate food supplies along the way, that is as much part of the camino journey as anything else.
The only person I would be disappointed in here is you. You claim to have the specialist knowledge to understand what your needs were, and where any shortfalls were present. If you did nothing about it, posting here to blame 'people in hospitality' doesn't seem to be a rational response.
Thanks! I had lots of other great experiences and have more Camino to do in the years ahead. The food is an important part of any travel experience though and it does take away from the overall experience in my opinion when the food is bad.I mean, that will be an awful shame if that is all you remember of your Camino. I think everyone is free to eat where they choose though, and many places on the Meseta have different eating options at varying budgets, a bit like happens in real life. I don't recall one single bad meal on my Meseta (nearly all in Albergues) that would prompt me to such a post, maybe your expectations were too high, or maybe you're just having a bad day. Hopefully the rest of your Camino will be better if you are able to continue.
Protein bars or powder is a good strategy. I had some bars.I ALWAYS travel with powdered protein supplements. This tops my protein needs off every day. I usually manage to find enough protein on the local economy.
Generally, I start the day with a serving of flavored protein powder dissolved in water. I will even add a powdered coffee "single" packet for added flavor and the caffeine rush to get me started.
I recommend doing better research and planing ahead next time. You can pick up temperature stable, protein-rich foods in Carrion de los Condes, before heading out on the main part of the Meseta. I have bought pre-cooked ham and hard cheeses in the Dia supermarket there, and made a full "loaf" of ham and cheese sandwiches using whole wheat bread. That sufficed for a couple of days. I like ham and cheese sandwiches.
You can add canned fish, nuts, and other protein rich foods if your prefer.
IMHO, no one gets seriously malnourished or starves, without going out of their way to do so. Adapting to your surroundings and environment is the key concept here.
Hope this helps.
Tom
Alrighty then. I dunno. Last time I checked, Spaniards didn't enter into the world to serve pilgrims. Always struck me as sort of a side gig. I found enough freshies to carry a few days and was grateful for ANYTHING I got to eat. Ate exactly 1 Pilgrim's dinner and that was enough for me. Just completed my 3rd walk to Santiago and found enough. It's only temporary. I'll be home soon to my first world country where I can eat whatever I want. Not THAT different from what I found in Spain. I eat simple and not so much. With lower expectations EVERYTHING is pretty good.Hello,
I am posting this having just completed the Burgos to Ponferrada leg of Camino Frances. This would take my Camino mileage up to around 1,300km over a few shorter trips, so while I would not consider myself a veteran I do consider myself to have some experience of the Camino, and of walking and hiking more generally.
The fact that I am a professionally qualified nutritionist that has an interest in endurance sports is incidental, but I mention it solely because I make these comments from a place of having some nutrition education.
The title speaks for itself. The food on the La Maseta stretch of Camino Frances is beyond absysmal. Protein and vegetables are always a challenge on the Camino, but it reaches new heights on La Maseta. I realise that I may have been unlucky the odd day, but I don’t think that unlucky.
Between low protein child sized portions of pilgrim meals in albergues at night, followed by 4cm of white baguette toasted the following morning masquerading as breakfast, to nowhere near enough protein along the route to satisfy the nutritional guidelines of a sedentary person never mind an active pilgrim, to places being closed at the times people need to eat, to croissants wrapped in plastic bags, to bocadillo after bocadillo the food situation along La Maseta is an embarrassment to the Camino. I generally would eat anything put in front of me, but I struggled continually to get adequate nutrition.
I never come on the Camino looking for an easy time, but the people in hospitality along this part of the route seem to have given up. Perhaps they are exhausted after a long and exceptionally busy season, but regardless it’s extremely disappointing.
Many people have made suggestions already. Adequate protein is important so I would bring protein bars, or buy eggs or nuts whenever you have a chance, although not all places had a kitchen I found.An interesting observation. Personally I enjoy the 'help' I get in losing some weight but agree that the correct nutrition is important if you intend to complete the whole Frances in one go.
What would you recommend those cooking for themselves should aim for - or seek out from the tienda along the way?
Many Spanish people make a living off the Camino. Glad you had a good experience overall. I did too…except for the food.Alrighty then. I dunno. Last time I checked, Spaniards didn't enter into the world to serve pilgrims. Always struck me as sort of a side gig. I found enough freshies to carry a few days and was grateful for ANYTHING I got to eat. Ate exactly 1 Pilgrim's dinner and that was enough for me. Just completed my 3rd walk to Santiago and found enough. It's only temporary. I'll be home soon to my first world country where I can eat whatever I want. Not THAT different from what I found in Spain. I eat simple and not so much. With lower expectations EVERYTHING is pretty good.
I agree 100% with you.Hello,
I am posting this having just completed the Burgos to Ponferrada leg of Camino Frances. This would take my Camino mileage up to around 1,300km over a few shorter trips, so while I would not consider myself a veteran I do consider myself to have some experience of the Camino, and of walking and hiking more generally.
The fact that I am a professionally qualified nutritionist that has an interest in endurance sports is incidental, but I mention it solely because I make these comments from a place of having some nutrition education.
The title speaks for itself. The food on the La Maseta stretch of Camino Frances is beyond absysmal. Protein and vegetables are always a challenge on the Camino, but it reaches new heights on La Maseta. I realise that I may have been unlucky the odd day, but I don’t think that unlucky.
Between low protein child sized portions of pilgrim meals in albergues at night, followed by 4cm of white baguette toasted the following morning masquerading as breakfast, to nowhere near enough protein along the route to satisfy the nutritional guidelines of a sedentary person never mind an active pilgrim, to places being closed at the times people need to eat, to croissants wrapped in plastic bags, to bocadillo after bocadillo the food situation along La Maseta is an embarrassment to the Camino. I generally would eat anything put in front of me, but I struggled continually to get adequate nutrition.
I never come on the Camino looking for an easy time, but the people in hospitality along this part of the route seem to have given up. Perhaps they are exhausted after a long and exceptionally busy season, but regardless it’s extremely disappointing.
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