An Ode to Corn Nuts

I knew about Corn Nuts, but I never knew Corn Nuts. My friend Danielle was snacking on Corn Nuts during our tour around the Olympic Peninsula, and I must thank her deeply for awakening me to this incredible snack.

Our Peninsula tour was the longest bike trip I had been on, and probably the most physically strenuous thing I have ever done. I severely underestimated how much salt I would crave while cycling all day, every day, for a week. Like a dumb newbie I packed dried fruit, gels, trail mix, and granola bars, and I was disappointed with every snack. All I wanted was a salt bomb to fuel me, and when I discovered Corn Nuts, I felt seen.

Corn Nuts are deep fried kernels of corn, covered in salt. The ingredients list is simple: corn, corn oil, salt. WHAT CONTEMPORARY SNACK FOOD HAS ONLY THREE INGREDIENTS? In this day and age it is nearly impossible to find any kind of packaged food that isn’t chock full of preservatives and other kinds of chemicals or 'flavorings (everpresent, always nebulous), especially at the gas stations and country marts you encounter while long distance touring.

A 1/3 cup serving/handful has 130 calories, 160 milligrams of sodium, and 20 grams of carbohydrates. That’s more calories and more sodium than a gel (100 calories and 60 milligrams sodium)! And while Corn Nuts are bulkier, don’t contain caffeine, amino acids, and don’t hit immediately like an energy gel, I like eating them a lot more. They are also widely available at most grocery stores and gas stations, whereas all those performance foods like gels, bars, and tablets are much harder to find in a conventional grocery store or corner mart.

Would I eat a bowl of Corn Nuts for every meal? Yes.

Is that recommended? No.

Should Corn Nuts be part of a touring cyclist’s healthy and balanced diet alongside beer, coffee, tuna, and ramen? Yes.

All I’m saying is give Corn Nuts a try on your next tour. They might be the alternative fuel you are searching for.