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Questions and answers about sports

What is the best breakfast right before cycling?

5 min read

Asked by: Kathy Rush

Go with these quick and easy fueling options before those early morning rides.

  • Coffee or Espresso. …
  • Instant Oatmeal or Low-Fiber Cereal. …
  • Fruit. …
  • That Second (or Third) Cup of Coffee. …
  • High-Fat Breakfast Meats and Eggs. …
  • High-Fiber Oats and Cereals. …
  • A Lot of Anything.

What should I eat before cycling in the morning?

Banana with peanut or almond butter. Toast with peanut or almond butter and honey. Energy bar or packet of energy chews (try these bars and these chews from our sports nutrition partner, Skratch Labs) Oatmeal with berries and brown sugar.

How soon before cycling should I eat breakfast?

Aim to have your breakfast 90-120 minutes before you start riding. If you know that the ride will start at a very easy pace and does not have a significant climb early on, you can push this to 60 minutes.

What should I eat 30 minutes before cycling?

Best Pre-Ride Foods For Cyclists

  • Quinoa.
  • Pasta.
  • Bread.
  • Porridge.
  • Granola.
  • Bagel.
  • Energy bar.
  • Bananas.

What should I eat 1 hour before cycling?

An hour or more before your ride, eat oatmeal or whatever you normally eat for breakfast. Avoid high-sugar-added foods such as pancakes with syrup, because they can cause a high rise in blood sugar, followed by a high rise in insulin, followed by a drop in blood sugar that will make you feel tired.

Should you cycle on an empty stomach?

Studies also show that exercising while fasted increases the efficiency of muscle glycogen storage. This basically means that riding with no food in your stomach teaches your body to make better use of the glycogen stores you already have.

What should you not eat before cycling?


Quote from video: High GI fees can also affect your body's ability to burn fat. Therefore you're better off for the whole grain breakfast cereal which will drip feed your muscles energy over a longer period.

What is the best energy food for cycling?

5 High Energy Foods for Endurance Cycling

  • Bananas. Bananas are well loved by most endurance athletes. …
  • Nuts and Seeds. Almonds, chia seeds, pistachios. …
  • Dried Fruits. Studies have shown that certain dried fruits like raisins and dates can improve endurance-related performance substantially. …
  • Electrolyte Infused Water.


How do you fuel your body for cycling?

For rides lasting 90 minutes to 3 hours, aim to consume 30-60 grams of carbohydrate (120 to 240 calories) per hour. Your fueling needs increase as the duration of your rides exceed three hours and beyond. On longer rides, aim to consume 45 to 90 grams of carbohydrate (180 to 360 calories) per hour.

Should I eat oatmeal before cycling?

‘ And porridge isn’t just for breakfast – it’s an ideal fuel source before any ride. ‘The favourite version among our riders is consumed two to three hours before a race,’ Thomas says. ‘This allows the food to digest, and for their stomachs and sugar levels to settle before the event itself.

Are bananas good for cycling?

Bananas are the number one cycling food. They are perfectly balanced to replace the electrolytes lost through sweat, particularly potassium as well as providing 25g-30g of carbohydrate to supply energy to our cycling muscles.

Are eggs good for cyclists?

It’s usual to think of eggs as a good source of protein – and they are. A small hen’s egg will provide 6g of good quality protein. This is found almost entirely in the egg white, while the yolk is a rich source of cholesterol, fat and vitamin E.

When should I eat carbs before cycling?

In general, allow 2-4 hours before cycling, following a larger meal to allow for digestion, and 30mins – 2hours for a smaller snack. Consider the Glycaemic Index (GI) of carbohydrates – A food’s GI measures how quickly it is digested and broken down into glucose.

What is best to drink while cycling?

Water is always a great choice for cyclists, especially before your ride. Drink 12 to 16 ounces of water 4 to 6 hours before you cycle and another 12 ounces 2 hours before. If the weather is extremely hot, consider drinking more. Water is great, but don’t overlook other beverages such as caffeinated sports drinks.

Should I eat before or after cycling?

Research suggests that it is better to eat before a bike ride rather than after. Post-ride nutrition is important for recovery, but not being adequately fueled for a long or strenuous ride can hinder performance and training capacity and potentially be dangerous for the rider [1,2].

Does cycling reduce belly fat?

Does cycling burn fat? Yes. Although your stomach muscles aren’t working as hard as your quads or glutes when you’re riding, but cycling’s aerobic nature means you are burning fat.

What is the best food to eat while cycling?

Bananas are the number one cycling food. They are perfectly balanced to replace the electrolytes lost through sweat, particularly potassium as well as providing 25g-30g of carbohydrate to supply energy to our cycling muscles.

Should you eat before morning spinning?

Generally speaking, if you’re working out first thing in the morning you should be good to go without eating a meal before. If you do prefer to have something in your stomach before you hit the bike, we suggest a piece of fruit such as a banana or some dried fruit with a handful of nuts.

What should I eat after cycling in the morning?

This meal is vital for the body to replenish the carbohydrates stores used during exercise and provides amino acids and fats to help build and repair muscles. Meal idea: lean protein such as eggs, chicken, tuna or tofu along with complex carbs such as whole grain pasta, rice, or sweet potato and some fat – try avocado.

What should I drink before cycling?

Water is always a great choice for cyclists, especially before your ride. Drink 12 to 16 ounces of water 4 to 6 hours before you cycle and another 12 ounces 2 hours before. If the weather is extremely hot, consider drinking more. Water is great, but don’t overlook other beverages such as caffeinated sports drinks.

How do you fuel your body for cycling?

For rides lasting 90 minutes to 3 hours, aim to consume 30-60 grams of carbohydrate (120 to 240 calories) per hour. Your fueling needs increase as the duration of your rides exceed three hours and beyond. On longer rides, aim to consume 45 to 90 grams of carbohydrate (180 to 360 calories) per hour.

Is peanut butter good for cycling?

(In fact, previous research has shown eating a diet high in healthy fat can actually help you lose weight and reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.) Peanut butter also has minerals that are essential to cyclists such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium.