Snacks! They make the world go ‘round. Well, that’s not true, but they do make my legs continually go round and round on a bike and that makes life worth living. You know what else makes life worth living? Eating well to optimize your energy and wellbeing. Without sounding too much like an ad, I’m going to help you get the best of both worlds.
There are hundreds if not thousands of snack companies that are dedicated to creating and selling healthy snacks with added proteins and sugars to help keep you fueled during a ride. While I do love a conveniently packaged granola bar or gummy bear, I tend to steer clear of overly processed foods and sugar. Many of you who have been watching my stories on Instagram know that I’m more of a real whole foods eater and really enjoy cooking! So to help you get a glimpse of those whole food healthy snacks that I’m so fond of baking and eating, I’ve rounded up 7 of my favorites for you to try for your snack breaks between rides.
Homemade Fruit & Nut Quinoa Granola
I tend to skip the store-bought stuff unless I like a brand I know and trust—most of it is loaded with added sugar and will only bring you down. Instead, I make my own granola with lots of mixed nuts, whole grains like quinoa and oats, and various dried fruits. Then I spice it up with ample doses of ground cinnamon and cloves and sweeteners like honey to bake for 15-20 mins. For warmer days on a bike I’ll add a bit more honey to make them stick for bite size bars to pop for fuel.
Apple Slices With Nutbutters
This is probably my favorite snack for rides and doesn’t require a recipe! Easily portable, delicious, and full of the right fuel you need for a ride with healthy sugars and proteins. Easily slice your apples (I prefer gala) and place in a container to prolong their freshness. You can also use organic dry apples (my favorite) for less wet mess! I use the packets of Justin’s honey peanut butter to easily open and dip the apple slices into during a break between cycling.
Chocolate coconut energy balls
These energy balls will totally hit the spot. Made with walnuts, Medjool dates, shredded unsweetened coconut, and some cocoa powder, you can keep them on hand for whenever you start feeling a bonk coming to strike you on a ride. These treats are a great energy boost when you start to feel yourself lagging during a ride.
Bake a few batches of vegan apple cinnamon oatmeal cookie bars the night before your ride to have these portable munchies ready to go. Skip the regular chocolate chip or sugar cookies, and instead opt for anything with lots of oats in the mix, as well as chopped nuts, dried fruits and apple spices. Bake with organic coconut oil instead of butter or margarine for an extra boost of heart-healthy fat.
This is kind of the same concept of eating apples with peanut butter. I like dried or baked banana chips to dip or pop on a ride. You can bake them yourself or buy them in shop. I prefer baking them so I can add cinnamon or honey to them for that extra pop. Plus you’ll skip all the browning and mushing of the banana after it’s sat in your jersey pocket.
Jerky Anything!
This doesn’t have to be just beef jerky, although there are some pretty good organic jerky choices out there nowadays. But you can also get your fill of wild salmon jerky and turkey jerky for a high-protein snack on the go. If you’ve got a dehydrator, you can make your own tofu-vegetable or fruit jerky strips and pack them for the trip. Jerky’s great for any ride, because it’s concentrated in flavor, salts, and nutrition and usually keeps in the dry heat for days on end.
Protein Bars
Although many of the fitness bars that line supermarket aisles boast a decent protein content, that shouldn’t justify their excessive amounts of sugar and empty carbs. Here are my favorites to give you what you need without the added stuff with whole food ingredients…. Picky Bars Real Food Energy Bars, 22 Days Plant Protein Bars, KNOW Food Gluten Free Protein Bars, Larabar Gluten Free Lemon Bars.
What are your fave snacks to pack for a ride?
Image: Velo Press