serious craving for meat after long ride

[lauraelmore1033]

So, after I finished the STP (200miles over 2 days) I was not only ravenously hungry, but I really craved MEAT. Dh bought me a cheeseburger which I scarfed down like it was nothing and the craving did not abate. I awoke the next morning with the same urge to eat red meat, but settled on salmon, which I ate straight from the can like scoops of ice cream. Yummy and momentarily satisfying, but , still the craving remains. My eating hasn't been too out of control or anything, but I'm wondering if my body is trying to tell me something and also if I should listen to it.

I used to get intense cravings for red meat while suffering from extremely heavy periods (caused by a uterine fibroid) and was indeed anemic until I had surgery to remove the fibroid and an ablation of my uterus last year. I presume the anemia improved because the cravings stopped around the time that my periods stopped. so my body was correctly telling me something.

Do you need more protein after riding 200 miles? Iron? Could be salt, but, you know, the salty carbohydrates I have around the house don't even sound good.

[Biciclista]

Yes, definitely. a ride like STP breaks down a lot of tissue. you need protein to build it back up. a craving for meat isn't the same as a craving for salt, for that, potato chips would suffice.

Listen.

[katluvr]

Not that I ride 200 miles, but yes, after long rides and on long HARD rides I really do crave meat. And usually inform of a Hamburger or big ole steak.
I just chalk it up to being really hungry...but I do think it also has to do w/ craving protein.

[gnat23]

Prenatal vitamins helped me ease up on the meat cravings.

Mostly, after a big hard ride, I just have the desire to CHEW, more of a texture thing after all those gels and chomps and bars, and a burger usually hits the spot.

-- gnat!

[maillotpois]

I don't think you "need" more (in fact some studies show the whole protein recovery drink thing isn't substantiated and really just plain more calories in carbs is better for recovery).

That said, I certainly have been known to crave meat after a long ride. After my 600k, that was all I wanted - a cheeseburger (bacon double, dontcha know). Same with the Death Ride this Saturday. In fact, I'm still a little hungry...

[shootingstar]

Though I don't dislike red meat (I love bison), I don't crave for red meat. I tend to try occasionally red meat dishes out of curiosity for certain types of cuisines.

This thread made me ponder about the long multi-day loaded bike trips that we've done. Suffice to say, that to plunk down just a large, green salad in front me for supper, is insufficient for me.

A peameal bacon on a Kaiser bun with lots of grainy/hot mustard, sauerkraut ..yummmm.

Or a nice slab of sockeye salmon.

What can be awful (to me), is limited restaurant choices out of town, after a long day's ride, showering and then having supper close by because we're too tired to bike around an unfamiliar town far to figure out what else exists.. Eating greasy, barbecued chicken wings or deep-fried squid is not my idea of a satisfying meat entree.

[ttaylor508]

I didn't necessarily crave meat, but I was super hungry. After the STP, we went for dinner and I was ravenous. It took forever for them to bring the food and once the food came I was only able to about half of it. I woke up in the morning starving again almost to the point of being sick. We went for a big breakfast and then few hours later on our trip back to Seattle, I was starving again and stopped at Subway for a sandwich. I seriously ate my way back to Seattle and once I got home, all I wanted was a super big, super crunchy dill pickle. That really hit the spot! It usually takes me a few days to get back to a normal appetite after a big ride. I also usually drink lots of extra water.

[lauraelmore1033]

I'm glad to read that I'm not the only one. I did give in to the urge for a hamburger today and am no longer feeling "crazed". I'm sure it's all in my head...

[e.e.cummings]

Your post really touch a cord with me. I have never been a big meat eater, but since I started commuting to work on the bike, I have cravings for a really nice steak. My husband is really surprised, he has always been the carnivore in the familiy. Ah, the sound and smell of a steak on the barbecue....

[OakLeaf]

I'm sure it's all in my head...

No, it's all in your body, and listening to your body tell you about its nutritional requirements is a good thing - so often suppressed among modern people.

If you have a philosophical objection to eating meat, then you need to figure out what specifically your body is asking for (protein, sodium, phosphorus, iron, B-vitamins, or most likely a combination of all those things). But if you're okay with eating meat, then find a good source of local grass-finished, hormone and antibiotic-free meat, and have some once in a while.

And when your body craves greens, eat greens. When it craves berries, eat berries. Et cetera.

[maillotpois]

And when your body craves greens, eat greens. When it craves berries, eat berries. Et cetera.

What about when it craves a chocolate malt?

[OakLeaf]

What about when it craves a chocolate malt?

That's when you're listening to advertising, not your body. As I said, it's tricky for a modern person to learn the difference...

Not that there's anything wrong with indulging yourself now and then!

[sundial]

After a high mileage week, I want a big, juicy steak with a chocolate malt.

[lauraelmore1033]

Oh, I don't have any objection to eating meat. I love it. It was just that "frenzied" feeling that was unsettling.