Sailing Food: Nutritious & Lightweight Meals for Offshore Races

Ready-to-eat Meals vs. Freeze-dried meals: what's the difference?

Wet meals (or ready-to-eat meals) and freeze-dried meals are two solutions commonly used by skippers. It's important to differentiate between the two. Sterilized meals are cooked before being packed in hermetically sealed bags. This method destroys micro-organisms and ensures long-lasting preservation without additives. However, these meals are heavier and bulkier, which can be a disadvantage for those seeking to optimize the weight of their boat.  

Freeze-dried meals, on the other hand, undergo a cold dehydration process that removes almost all the water from the product. This technique preserves flavors and nutrients, while drastically reducing portion weight. Simply add hot water, and the dish is ready to eat. This type of meal is ideal for trekkers, mountaineers and sailors looking for lightness and optimized shelf life.  

In terms of texture, there is little or no difference between a freeze-dried meal and a sterilized dish. Both resemble a classic dish that you could cook at home. Comforting during an ocean race!

Supplement your intake with snacks

When you're out at sea, you need to eat more than just your main meals. To maintain optimal energy levels, skippers need to include snacks adapted to the demands of sailing. Easy to consume and high in energy, they provide an essential complement to the effort involved and the conditions encountered.  

Energy bars are essential allies: rich in carbohydrates, they provide a quick energy boost and are easy to carry. Their variety of flavours - chocolate, fruit, cereals - means you can vary the pleasures and avoid food fatigue. Electrolyte drinks, meanwhile, compensate for mineral losses due to exertion and dehydration, ensuring good hydration without weighing down the body.  

For a long-lasting, delicious source of protein, dried meat is ideal. Rich in proteins and minerals, it supports muscle recovery while providing a pleasant chew. Finally, dried fruit such as almonds or apricots offer the perfect combination of natural sugars, fiber and healthy fats.  

Choosing the right snacks at sea means guaranteeing a stable energy intake while enjoying yourself, so you can stay in top form from start to finish.

Opt for turnkey packs

Food management can quickly become a headache, especially during races or long crossings. That's why Lyophilise & Co offers turnkey packs designed specifically for skippers, providing a practical and balanced solution.  

Our packs include freeze-dried food and/or ready-to-eat food, which are easy to prepare and rich in nutrients, guaranteeing the energy needed for effort. They are accompanied by snacks selected for their nutritional value and taste pleasure: energy bars for a quick energy boost, electrolyte drinks for optimal hydration, protein-rich dried meat and dried fruit for a natural supply of fiber and healthy lipids.  

By choosing a turnkey package, skippers save themselves the hassle of planning and ensure they have everything they need on board, without compromising on quality or taste. Whether for intense racing or long-distance sailing, our packs offer an optimized solution for staying competitive while enjoying a diet adapted to the demands of offshore sailing.