you can also buy Larabars. They are a tad pricey but they only have dates, nuts and sometimes some other fruit in them. No additives, no processing, nada! You can also try making your own trail mix: nuts and dried fruits to munch on before you ride.
as for the being tired - yes, if all you're eating is a banana and water and then going home to bed you aren't replacing what you burned off. I think of it as putting fuel in my engine. I try to eat carbs and protein within 1/2 hour after my rides.
There is also an electrolyte replacement mix you can get at the health food store made by Alacar called Electro-Lyte (I think, dang I can never remember that name!). Again no sugars and no icky stuff just the electrolytes your body needs to help fuel your engine. It mixes with just about any liquid you want!!