While the number of cyclists on the road is increasing manifold, and the number of hours each rider is now pedaling is also on the rise, many questions come to the mind of a rider that needs to be answered to have an enjoyable ride. There are times when the beginners have wanted to beat their limitations and ride much higher than their normal routine, especially during weekends. This also has some repercussions since a lot of them give in to fatigue, muscle spasm, dehydration which eventually leads to giving up on the ride for the next few days.
So the question that arises is what nutrition is necessary as a cyclist which keeps your body healthy and also helps re-build the stamina and muscles to ride. Here are the top 5 foods which are a sure-go for cyclists:
- Banana: Well, sounds like a not so elite dish but yes, banana is the natural energy bar that is so easily available and provides instead energy. They are known to replace the electrolyte lost during the ride while dehydrating with sweat. The carbohydrates provided helps to supply energy to your cycling muscles.
- Coffee: Coffee, for ages has been known to wake us up and get us off the bed to have a fresh start. But did you know, coffee is regarded as one of the best pre-workout drinks which not only helps us increase our alertness but also reduces fatigue? Having your early morning espresso can help you have a better, longer and more comfortable ride.
- Oats: Oats are surely one of the highly recommended meals for cyclists. A low glycemic index in oats gives a steady release of energy. This makes it a completely favourite choice for long rides. Combined with fruits and nuts, this is a sure shot healthy meal that will help you to increase stamina, endurance and go for long rides regularly.
- Eggs: Nothing new to this world, eggs are one of the best sources of protein. To improve your performance, it is important to recover your muscles. It is imperative to repair your muscles to post the sessions. The protein in eggs helps convert the proteins into amino acids which eventually repair the cycling muscles.
- Peanut Butter: A long ride fan? We’ve got just the perfect food that will help you complete it comfortably. The right balance of protein and fat in peanut butter will help you get you a bulk of energy and provide power to your muscles. You could surely expect better results if you combine it with a sandwich with vegetables having high iron content.
Riding less or for longer duration and distances, nutrition is a very important part of the entire process which helps you to prepare your body for consistent rides and helps revive from the painful rides. Never give in because of fatigue and follow some simple nutrition guidelines to keep yourself healthy.
