What do you eat the day after a big ride?

[maillotpois]

I know most posts above are on the humorous side, but in your recovery period following a major ride (3+ hours), you need to replenish your body with carbs. This allows it to heal properly with nourishment.

That said, any foods on the high side of the Glycemic Index are what you should be consuming and not foods high in fat.

What's the research that supports high glycemic index foods as recovery food? I have never heard this. I have always heard a combination of protein and carbs is best. Now what our bodies seem to crave here are fatty/salty foods - not that this is "right", but sometimes after you ride 200 miles (or 375), you tend to listen to your cravings!! I was not joking about the bacon double cheeseburger after the 600k.

I am just curious where this high GI information comes from. I have done a lot of research on this issue, particularly in conjunction with the coaching I do, and I have never read anything about this. I tend to lean heavily toward the Nancy Clark, Arnie Baker, Jane Brody and Monique Ryan schools of thought on sports nutrition, though. I don't recall any of them mentioning high GI foods for recovery? That's not to say that these are the only sources of info - is there someone else or another article you can refer me to that supports this?