What do you eat after a long ride?

[jessmarimba]

Lisa, I'm not lactose intolerant but I still prefer soy milk (chocolate!) after a run/ride!

[OakLeaf]

Milk substitutes don't normally have the protein you need for recovery. I'll usually toss in a scoop of Garden of Life protein powder and some fresh fruit and make a smoothie. Love my stick blender!



I've never heard of sinus issues as a symptom of low blood sugar or glycogen depletion though. I wonder if you don't have some kind of allergy going on. Myself, I get allergy relief from the way sustained exertion suppresses my immune system, so the symptoms can return with a vengeance once I'm done, but they don't come back worse than they were before the ride.

[jessmarimba]

Eh, I'm not as focused on protein. My boyfriend used to make me drink those protein recovery drinks and they never really helped. Plus (to me) they tasted awful and I couldn't stand the texture.

I think protein is supposed to help women if they are attempting to lose fat & keep muscle, but exercise doesn't seem to affect my weight in the slightest.

Here's an interesting note from the NY Times about women and protein, too. Not to be contrary, because I think it has a lot to do with age and hormone levels, but I just felt like throwing something else into the mix. And I like the lightbulb moment in the article that - gasp! - men and women are different!

[DMC]

peanut butter, honey and banana on a whole wheat bagel before ride, biiiiiiig banana/blueberry/strawberry/protein powder shake with added omega 3 oils after. and then a beer after I've hydrated.

[Catrin]

I found something at the store yesterday that I've not seen before...peanut butter mixed with dark chocolate.... I can see that picturing in recovery snacks - whenever the injury is healed and I can ride far enough to warrent it

Lots of good ideas here though, and will use some of them. Now that I will be able to actually ride from home I will have to try some of the smoothie ideas!

[nscrbug]

I tend to feel like a bottomless pit after long rides... So among other things, I usually eat a whole-wheat mini bagel with natural PB, along with a container of Chobani or Fage plain greek yogurt with some honey, a heaping tsp. of flaxseed, and some homemade granola mixed in. Those are my after-ride "staples", but I generally don't stop there and sometimes end up having a bowl of cereal or half a turkey sandwich. I also usually crave something salty after a ride, too...so a few pretzels dipped in hummus tend to be on the menu. If we have low-fat chocolate milk in the fridge, a cup of that will get added to the mix as well.

[Becky]

Real food. Whatever happens to be around and sound good at the time. Eggs and toast, pasta, sandwiches... Today was soup and salad, with a big hearty wheat roll.

I'm more selective about on-bike meals than I am about post-bike meals.

[Tabby]

I found something at the store yesterday that I've not seen before...peanut butter mixed with dark chocolate.... I can see that picturing in recovery snacks - whenever the injury is healed and I can ride far enough to warrent it

Lots of good ideas here though, and will use some of them. Now that I will be able to actually ride from home I will have to try some of the smoothie ideas!

What's this gem called? Did you find it at a specialty store or general grocery? Yum!

[Catrin]

What's this gem called? Did you find it at a specialty store or general grocery? Yum!

I had to dispose of it since I had no control - it is quite yummy The next time I see it at the store I will see who makes it. If I could exercise normally I would have kept it

[OakLeaf]

My weight's reasonably stable. If I don't get enough protein, I'm excessively sore and I can't get stronger.

[Bike Chick]

Chocolate milk or a Carnation Instant Breakfast right after the ride. If I take in protein, I find I'm not ravenous and searching the kitchen cabinets looking for something to satisfy me 2 hours later. I also like a Diet Coke with lots of ice in the summer.

[lilly99]

mmm well a good couple of hours after a long ride I'm munching on EVERYTHING but I do try to eat a bannana shortly afterward I've finished the ride hope this helps!

Oh, also read this and found it quite interesting...

http://www.suite101.com/content/what...-a-race-a16626

[Owlie]

I like bananas post-ride. If I were starting and ending from my house, the banana would be easier. But since most of my long rides start from the car,bananas tend to get...funky by the time I get back.

An apple and peanut butter makes a good pre- and post-ride snack. I just try to sneak in a little extra salt and protein if it's post-ride.

[jolie]

You should start riding after have the meal at least 30 minutes later

[PscyclePath]

A Coke. I also crave something like a baked (or boiled) potato, sometimes pasta, and a small piece of lean meat.