food after rides?

[OakLeaf]

I have to force myself to eat after a long run or ride.

If I don't, I'll be ravenous for three or four days afterward, and my performance will be impaired.

I usually fix a quick shake of fruit and/or fruit juice and protein powder. Maybe a carrot or some greens or sprouts.

[Owlie]

If it's a short ride (15-20 miles or less), I might have a snack. A quick spin around the neighborhood doesn't merit anything beyond perhaps a cup of tea and toast (ie, what I'd eat anyway.) Longer rides, I'll make some kind of smoothie/shake thing (my favorite: generous serving of full-fat Greek yogurt, a banana, peanut butter, a scoop of chocolate whey powder, and a bit of cocoa powder), or (when I lived in Ohio and actually rode), I'd stop at Starbucks and pick up a latte or something. Rides longer than 40 miles? Anything that's not nailed down. (In all seriousness, I try to have an actual meal, since a long ride means that I didn't eat lunch as such.)

In hot weather, regardless of ride length, I will try to find something salty. I may or may not have kept a few bags of chips in my car for this reason...

[marni]

I can't handle smoothies or food right after a long ride but since I ride out from my home mostly, I do have the advantage of keeping stuff in the fridge. My # 1 favorite is chocolate almond milk as I walk around, cool down, check and prep my bike. It has chocolate and some nutrition from the almond milk plus it is not thick, and not too many calories. My # 2 go to is an iced latte made with espresso, coffee, honey and coconut water with a shot of soy or almond milk. I make this up in batches and just keep a quart jar opf it in the fridge. When I have cooled down, showered and changed then I can eatwithout being ravenous or thirsty.

[NatalieO]

Usually beet & apple juice (make it myself) and/or a fruit only smoothie. And then when I get hungry I usually eat rice with whatever veggies I have on hand.