At long last, a gummy that doesn’t contain a rainbow of toxic food dyes and is even certified USDA organic. Stingers uses ingredients like black carrot juice rather than FD&C Red #40, and organic grape juice rather than hydrogenated glucose syrup. These little nuggets provide a quick carbohydrate boost which is optimal before hiking the peak, or to refuel when the legs start to burn. The ideal part is they don’t demand the total food commitment of a large snack, just pop a few and chew away. The main ingredient is tapioca syrup, a root starch derived from the cassava, or yucca plant, native to South America. More than the namesake of a dandy pudding, tapioca is a gluten-free carbohydrate source, and one serving of these energy chews provides the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Cost: $2.00. Calories: 160.
