Whether you get on a bike to stay fit or cycle as a profession, nutrition on the road is essential. However, not just any food will do – you need the right food. We examine which high energy foods and supplements to take on the road.
Many cyclists are unclear on what food or supplement is the best to take on the road and some pay a high price for this. The short answer is there is no right or wrong food stuff, but rather the foods should be thought of as fuel. Cycling for long periods is demanding on the body. Without proper nutrition, you will run out of energy (glycogen) and hit the dreaded wall (bonk).
The duration of your ride will determine whether or not food is necessary. You can think of the length of your rides as such:
Assuming you follow a balanced diet, you shouldn’t need to take food on short rides. Your diet should be adequate enough to support you and your energy requirements for up to a maximum of 1 and 1/2 hours.
However, with medium and long rides, taking something to eat is absolutely essential.
Nutrition Souq Essential Tip: You should always take water no matter what length the ride is!
WHAT FOODS TO TAKE
During the ride, you need food that will enhance your performance. That means focussing on food that will get into your system and start showing results in no time. And as far as these foods are concerned, you have a number of options which can include:
Real food stuffs: Sandwiches, cake etc. (these are high in sugar and carbs, but can be a little on the heavy side)
ENERGY BARS
ENERGY DRINKS
ENERGY GELS
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a good starting point.
NUTRITION SOUQ RECOMMENDATIONS (these are easy to carry and consume):
Limitless 100% Natural Electrolyte Recover Plus