What is the most calorie dense food in the world?

[dawsonbob]

It does look tasty doesn't it? Someone sent it to me the other day and I haven't tried it out yet....but I intend to. :thumbup:

Actually, I really may have to try that myself. I think the trick, for me, will be getting the bacon crisp enough to be tasty, yet still flexible enough to roll.

I wonder what kind of cheese to use? Decisions, decisions, decisions; life is such a challenge.

 

[blake g49]

Actually, I really may have to try that myself. I think the trick, for me, will be getting the bacon crisp enough to be tasty, yet still flexible enough to roll.

I wonder what kind of cheese to use? Decisions, decisions, decisions; life is such a challenge.

Dude - roll, then cook...

Or buy it ready-made here:

http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/general/bacon-explosion-on-sale/

 

[hlee]

Here I go again, making a doofus out of myself...

That label is wrong. if you look at the breakdown, it's 99.2 grams of fat, and 873 grams of protein. that adds up to 972.2 grams total.

Who ever made that label is the doofus. However, it does list the calories from fat as 892, which is nearly the 9 kcal per g (99.2 g of fat) that we are taught in biochem/nutrition/other. Although, the total kcal of 3671 minus the 873 from the fat does not equal the 4 kcal per g of protein that is generally accepted (works out to 3.2 kcal per gram. Are these user submitted labels? Can anyone make these and post them on that site?

At any rate, fat- pure fat- is the most calorie dense "food" available at 9 "food calories" (kcal) per gram. Foods high in fat will be more calorie dense than those high in carbs or protein. Foods with low water content will also be higher in calories (per unit mass) than comparable foods with a high water content. Dehydrated foods will be more calorie dense than their natural counterparts. However, they generally need to be rehydrated before consumption, meaning that you need to carry extra water which is likely a net gain in total weight carried as you are likely to "overhydrate" a meal to make it palatable.

Cheeses, nuts, jerkys, and dried fruits are good bets as they are low in water (thus high in calories for their weight) and do not need to be hydrated.

 

[Evolute]

I like fat, and I seem to need a lot of it to keep from losing weight. I often carry a flask of olive oil or fish oil, and take the occasional sip, when I'm out for the day.

I also like to eat stuff like salami and cheese sandwiches with mayo, crackers with macadamia nut butter, and so on, when I'm playing outside.

That bacon and cheese roll looks awesome. I'll have to try that. First time, I'll probably make it with low salt bacon, and a blend of Ford Farms Coastal Rugged Mature Cheddar and Springfield Farms Firehouse Cheddar. :thumbup:

 

[dawsonbob]

Dude - roll, then cook...

Or buy it ready-made here:

http://www.bbqaddicts.com/blog/general/bacon-explosion-on-sale/

Man, that takes all the fun out of it — not to mention that it's expensive to buy pre-made.

I think that this is one of those things that's going to take some 'sperimentin' over the course of time to perfect.

I'll probably just start off with some thick sliced bacon, some medium cheddar, and some of my special, super secret, finestkind BBQ sauce (available in any supermarket) for starters, then adjust from there for subsequent trials.

As though I weren't overweight already, and with a bad ticker, to boot. Still, in the name of culinary science, it's a sacrifice I'm willing to make.

 

[sodak]

How about fruitcake? Calvin Rutstrum used it to good effect (along with a lot of other types of food) in his weeks-long hikes in subzero temps.

And I like it!

 

[KEmSAT-Survival]

Now, that's my kind of chow, although I like my bacon a little crisper than that. A slice or six of that bacon cheese roll, and peanut butter cups for desert... be still, my heart!

After a dinner like that you won't have to tell it. It'll just do it on it's own, I'm sure!

What's the most calorie dense food in the world?

Anything with the word "Armour" at the top of the label.

Remember though, there's a difference between useable calories and "empty" calories. Food is food in a bad enough situation, don't get me wrong. But some things will provide your body with more of what it needs and less of a high resulting in a crash.

I'd go for proteins, carbs and fats before I'd worry too much about calories: rice, peanut butter, meats (dehydrated, smoked or sausaged), cheeses, etc... Atleast that way you're giving your muscles what they need to survive. Calories are mainly just a way of gauging how much effort your body needs to exert to burn off the specific thing. Sometimes calories can be deceptive.

Be careful with how much fibrous stuff you eat, too. Granola might be a great trail snack (and it is! nom-nom-nom), but that's why nutritionists recommend a diet high in natural foods and fiber. Your body expends more energy processing it, so it burns more calories and uses up more of it stored fuel. So a great trailsnack doesn't always make a great "survival food".

 

[dawsonbob]

How about fruitcake? Calvin Rutstrum used it to good effect (along with a lot of other types of food) in his weeks-long hikes in subzero temps.

And I like it!

Alas, sodak, we fruitcake lovers seem to be in the minority. But I'm with you; I love good fruitcake!

 

[LUW]

Ensure.
I think you guys have it too? It's a food supplement for under-nourished kids. It's basically like condensed milk (or at least tastes a bit like that) with some fat and a lot of sugar and protein. You can have it as a powder (and then add water) or also in a can.

 

[dawsonbob]

After a dinner like that you won't have to tell it. It'll just do it on it's own, I'm sure!

What's the most calorie dense food in the world?

Anything with the word "Armour" at the top of the label.

Remember though, there's a difference between useable calories and "empty" calories. Food is food in a bad enough situation, don't get me wrong. But some things will provide your body with more of what it needs and less of a high resulting in a crash.

I'd go for proteins, carbs and fats before I'd worry too much about calories: rice, peanut butter, meats (dehydrated, smoked or sausaged), cheeses, etc... Atleast that way you're giving your muscles what they need to survive. Calories are mainly just a way of gauging how much effort your body needs to exert to burn off the specific thing. Sometimes calories can be deceptive.

Be careful with how much fibrous stuff you eat, too. Granola might be a great trail snack (and it is! nom-nom-nom), but that's why nutritionists recommend a diet high in natural foods and fiber. Your body expends more energy processing it, so it burns more calories and uses up more of it stored fuel. So a great trailsnack doesn't always make a great "survival food".

KEmSAT I certainly wouldn't eat it as a steady diet, or it really would still my heart. Still, it's one of those things that sound pretty good as an occasional thing... at home. Not something I would take on the trail.

In real life, I pretty much follow the guidelines you've listed when I'm out. But back here, I'm just dying to try out the bacon cheese roll!

 

[KEmSAT-Survival]

Oh I ain't mad atcha!
It just looks like one of those things that is a stroke waiting to happen. So you know it's gotta taste good.
Plus...IT'S GOT BACON!!

 

[dawsonbob]

Oh I ain't mad atcha!
It just looks like one of those things that is a stroke waiting to happen. So you know it's gotta taste good.
Plus...IT'S GOT BACON!!

I didn't think you were. Yep, it probably is a stroke waiting to happen, but I don't expect to live forever, anyway (note: I'm in my mid sixties already, so I do watch what I eat... kinda).

And, as you said, "IT'S GOT BACON!" Bacon has to be one of the best foods in the whole, wide world. Not the best for you, but delicious, nevertheless. Love it! I can feel my arteries hardening just thinking about it, but I love it anyway.

 

[oldways]

Brisling sardines.

 

[Bushman5]

Here I go again, making a doofus out of myself...

That label is wrong. if you look at the breakdown, it's 99.2 grams of fat, and 873 grams of protein. that adds up to 972.2 grams total.

no idea how the manufacture of Highgrove goose fat comes up with that number. I can say that it has been at that number for many many years with no complaints from the Canadian Government, who is pretty strict on food labelling and numbers.....

also.....i have no idea if that brand has been clarified (Ghee) or is simply rendered lightly. I do know that clarified fats tend to have a LOT more calories.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

Ensure.
I think you guys have it too? It's a food supplement for under-nourished kids. It's basically like condensed milk (or at least tastes a bit like that) with some fat and a lot of sugar and protein. You can have it as a powder (and then add water) or also in a can.

Isn't Ensure for old people...I think you are referring to "formula". My 2 yr old has since abandoned it for milk but my bank account reflects my investment.

 

[kgd]

Good posts Bladefixation2 and Hlee!

Who ever made that label is the doofus. However, it does list the calories from fat as 892, which is nearly the 9 kcal per g (99.2 g of fat) that we are taught in biochem/nutrition/other. Although, the total kcal of 3671 minus the 873 from the fat does not equal the 4 kcal per g of protein that is generally accepted (works out to 3.2 kcal per gram. Are these user submitted labels? Can anyone make these and post them on that site?

At any rate, fat- pure fat- is the most calorie dense "food" available at 9 "food calories" (kcal) per gram. Foods high in fat will be more calorie dense than those high in carbs or protein. Foods with low water content will also be higher in calories (per unit mass) than comparable foods with a high water content. Dehydrated foods will be more calorie dense than their natural counterparts. However, they generally need to be rehydrated before consumption, meaning that you need to carry extra water which is likely a net gain in total weight carried as you are likely to "overhydrate" a meal to make it palatable.

Generally speaking, pure lipid does not hold water, but blubber or fat in itself may contain traces of water and protein in association with connective tissue interspersed in the fat you carve off an animal. This can slightly lesson the caloric content but not to any appreciable degree. Rendering the fat first and filtration may help you achieve a pure fat that more closely approaches the theoretical maximum energy density. Hence the suggestion of commercial oils. As Hlee mentiones, dilution of your fat by adding protein or carbs will decrease the caloric density of the food because carbs and protein weigh for their energy payoff.

Fun facts, most animals have a digestion efficiency for fat of about 90-95%, simple carbs approach 95%, whereas for protein it is more typically around 70%. Dietary fiber is not digestable and passes through your GI-tract more less intact. If you ate 200 g (6.7 oz) of fat, that would be enough to sustain most people for a day (assuming an 1800 calorie diet) and your poop would be only 0.5 oz. Seeing as it is spring and my yard is full of dog doodo, I'm thinking that a high fat winter diet for the pooch might be in order!

 

[hollowdweller]

The Bacon Explosion

I've been on a vegetarian diet since first of the year trying to lose some weight and I can't tell you how good that looks

 

[Cpl Punishment]

Probably not the highest calorie, but a medium sized jar of peanut butter mixed with 80%/20% peanut butter/honey eaten over 3 days on the trail and you will gain weight.

Other top picks are SPAM, salami, summer sausage, pepperoni, hard cheeses, etc. As a bonus, they don't need to be cooked and provide protein as well as just calories.

 

[Cpl Punishment]

I've been on a vegetarian diet since first of the year trying to lose some weight and I can't tell you how good that looks

My GOD that bacon/cheese roll does look good!

BTW, you can lose weight just fine eating meat and veggies, just cut the carbs way back. Even beef and pork. Get lean meat and pork like London Broil, and boneless pork chops, cut the fat off before cooking and you'll lose weight and enjoy it a bit more. The Atkins/Paleo diet is pretty much what humans survived on for a long time.

Of course, that bacon/cheese roll won't help, but daaaaaamn!

 

[sodak]

I've been on a vegetarian diet since first of the year trying to lose some weight and I can't tell you how good that looks

My sympathies. I do this almost every Lent and it's a real adjustment. I know, I know it's good for you, and there are lots of great veggie dishes to make and eat, but still....

Sometimes, you just gotta have meat!