If you’re staying at Local Surf Maroc, chances are you’re with us to surf.
If you’re not, chances are you’re going to find yourself at the beach for one reason or another. With over 300 days of sunshine a year in Taghazout Bay and hundreds of miles of beautiful coastline in Morocco, if you’re going to go to the beach, you’re not just going for a few minutes.
So the question that’s left is: what are you going to pack?
Swim suit. Check.
Towel. Check.
Flip flops, Sun screen, and book. Check, check, check.
But what about food? If it’s really hot out, your appetite may be stifled. If you’re going for a surf, any heavy food might leave you feeling nauseous once you’re on the surfboard (all that pressure on your stomach).
At Local Surf Maroc, we’ve got a few suggestions on what kind of snacks to pack for your beach and surfing day.
1. Fruit, especially local bananas & oranges
After flying into Agadir, to get to Local Surf Maroc, you’ll have had to pass through Aourir. This village is affectionately known as Banana Village, coined by Jimi Hendrix in the 1960’s for all of the banana plantations. There are a lot of bananas to choose from, and as numerous vendors keep touting, “The smaller the sweeter!”
While you’re in Morocco, don’t miss your chance to have the freshly squeezed orange juice. Or buy the oranges fresh from the market and let the juice run down your chin. We aren’t bragging when we say Moroccan oranges will be the best oranges you’ve ever tasted.
The great thing about the local oranges and bananas is that they are packed with vitamins and minerals, give you that boost of energy, won’t sit heavy in your stomach when you surf, or make you feel bloated in the heat.
2. Dates
Dates are commonly found around the Mediterranean and Middle East, and included in many Moroccan dishes. Dates grow on certain palm trees are the fruits that eventually fall to the ground or become harvested to be eaten. They are sweet as ripe fruit, and become sweeter as they are dried.
At any Moroccan souk you’ll be able to find dates of varying degrees of dehydration. It’s up to you how you like them, but eating only a few can give you that energy boost for your next surf session and satisfy your sweet tooth.
There are other health benefits to eating dates including high fiber content, antioxidants, and minerals. We think very highly of the humble date, which is why it always makes it into our snack selection when heading to the beach.
3. Yogurt
While not a Moroccan specialty of any sort, yogurt is easily found and available to eat. Not only is it a convenient snack to obtain, it’s high in protein as well. It packs a nutritious punch being rich in calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and B vitamins. Not only does it fill you up, it provides the right amount of energy for any beach activity without making you feel full or bloated.
4. Nuts
Nuts of any sort are also a great beach snack. In general they are a great source of fiber, healthy fats, and protein. Because these little bundles are packed with energy, a handful is all you need to fuel your surf session or if you’re having a beach day, keep you from feeling bloated while satisfying your hunger.
Almonds and peanuts are the most popular nuts, but cashews and pistachios can also easily be found in the Tamraght shops. If you missed your chance to buy from the shops then have a listen on the beach for a local snack vendor. He’ll be preceded by shouts of “Cacahuète!”
5. Smoothie
The almighty smoothie! It’s our top recommendation for a beach snack. Whether you get one to go from local cafes in Tamraght, or grab one from beach restaurants, there’s just something satisfying about blended fruit on the beach.
Depending on which smoothie interests you, there will be a difference in health benefits, but fiber, mineral, and vitamins are guaranteed. Not only are smoothies light on the stomach, they’re hydrating compared to our other beach snack recommendations, which is super important if you’re out in the sun even for a few hours.
What are your favourite snacks to take to the beach? What else do you pack when spending a day surfing? Leave a comment below to let us know.
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