{"id":672408,"date":"2026-07-03T22:27:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-03T22:27:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/672408\/"},"modified":"2026-07-03T22:27:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-03T22:27:15","slug":"kate-middleton-climbed-3-mountains-in-24-hours-heres-what-fuelled-her","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/672408\/","title":{"rendered":"Kate Middleton climbed 3 mountains in 24 hours, here’s what fuelled her"},"content":{"rendered":"

Three days on, the HELLO! office is still abuzz with chatter about Princess Kate completing the Three Peaks Challenge<\/a> at the weekend.<\/p>\n

From the incredible feat of fitness, to how she kept her eyeliner perfect while scaling three mountains, we can’t stop talking about it. And as someone who writes about health and fitness, I’ve been thinking about the Princess of Wales’ snack of choice during her challenge.<\/p>\n

Fellow hikers spotted the royal spotted nibbling on flapjacks as she traversed the tricky terrain, and it turns out it was an excellent choice of snack to fuel her endurance challenge. Interesting, given the crumbly, chewy snack fell out of favour in recent years, thanks to our penchant for protein – of which flapjacks don’t contain much! That said, nutritionist and author of The Hormone Balance Handbook<\/a>, Jessica Shand<\/a>, says flapjacks are actually a great choice for this situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Princess\u00a9 X.comPrincess Kate took on an endurance challenge at the weekend <\/p>\n

“I’m not surprised Princess Kate chose flapjacks for her hike. Let’s face it, they’re delicious, but they also make nutritional sense for this specific situation. There’s a reason endurance athletes don’t fuel marathons on salads.<\/p>\n

“When we’re asking our bodies to perform and do something out of the ordinary, carbohydrates, especially dressed in this way, can actually become one of our greatest allies.”<\/p>\n

She continues: “This is a really good example of why nutrition should always be viewed in context. If you’re hiking for hours, climbing mountains or doing prolonged exercise, your nutritional needs are very different from someone sitting behind a desk all day.”<\/p>\n

On the power of flapjacks, Jessica notes: “During endurance activities, carbohydrates are the body’s preferred source of fuel because they replenish glycogen, which is essentially the muscles’ energy reserve.”<\/p>\n

The Three Peaks Challenge: key details<\/p>\n

Challenge<\/p>\n

Climb the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales within 24 hours<\/p>\n

Mountains<\/p>\n

Ben Nevis:\u00a01,345 m (4,413 ft)
\n Snowdon:\u00a01,085 m (3,560 ft)
\n Scafell Pike:\u00a0978 m (3,209 ft)<\/p>\n

Walking Distance<\/p>\n

\u200b23 miles (37 km)<\/p>\n

Total Ascent<\/p>\n

3,064 m (10,052 ft)<\/p>\n

Driving Distance<\/p>\n

\u200bApprox. 462 miles<\/p>\n

Typical Order<\/p>\n

Ben Nevis \u2192 Scafell Pike \u2192 Snowdon (Yr Wyddfa)<\/p>\n

Interesting fact<\/p>\n

Scafell Pike and Snowdon are the highest peaks in their respective countries but don’t make the overall top three highest peaks on the British mainland. Alongside Ben Nevis (the biggest in Britain), this distinction goes to…<\/p>\n

Ben Macdui: 1,309 meters (4,295 feet)\u00a0
\n Braeriach:\u00a0 1,296 meters (4,252 feet)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Why are flapjacks good for energy?<\/p>\n

It’s the combination of carbs, fibre and fat that makes flapjacks excellent hiking fodder.<\/p>\n

“Oats are definitely the star of the show,” Jessica says. “They provide complex carbohydrates alongside a unique soluble fibre called beta-glucan, which helps slow digestion and the release of glucose into the bloodstream, providing a steadier release of energy.”<\/p>\n

\"PrincessPrincess Kate took on the Three Peaks Challenge at the weekend <\/p>\n

Butter is helpful, too, when it comes to slow, sustained energy \u2013 like someone tackling three mountains will need.<\/p>\n

“Traditional flapjacks also contain butter, and it’s actually the fat that helps slow gastric emptying, making that energy last longer. If you’re making them yourself, choosing a good-quality butter made from simple ingredients is the best way to go. The combination of carbohydrates and fat is exactly why they\u2019re such a practical choice before or during long periods of intense activity.”<\/p>\n

\"Princess\u00a9 GettyPrincess Kate’s snack was an excellent choice
\nSupercharge your flapjacks<\/p>\n

Jessica says that homemade flapjacks are a brilliant way to increase both their nutritional value and their energy-providing power.<\/p>\n

“I’d start with oats as the base, then add a variety of nuts and seeds to increase the protein, healthy fats and fibre,” Jessica recommends.<\/p>\n

“Pumpkin seeds are a particular favourite because they’re naturally rich in magnesium, which plays an important role in normal energy production, while almonds provide vitamin E and healthy fats, and hemp seeds contribute complete plant protein.<\/p>\n

“I’d also include ground flaxseed or chia seeds for extra fibre and omega-3 fats, alongside cinnamon for flavour and chopped Medjool dates if you need a little more readily available fuel for longer walks or exercise.<\/p>\n

“These are exactly the ingredients I use in my oaty cinnamon snack bar recipe. It takes inspiration from the traditional flapjack but elevates it nutritionally by increasing the protein, fibre and healthy fats, creating a more balanced snack that supports sustained energy, blood sugar balance and gut health.”<\/p>\n

Watch the video below to recreate Jessica’s energy-supporting flapjacks.\u00a0<\/p>\n