Food for Your Ride

Bike New York Sponsors:

Let The Good Times Roll This Summer With Healthy Eats

With heat hitting its peak, it’s the perfect time to hit the road. When taking bike trips in hot weather, it’s important to fuel your body for the long haul. At Energy Kitchen we carefully choose the leanest ingredients, packed with the most energy to sustain you throughout the day. Nothing on our menu is over 500 calories and everything is grilled, baked or steamed. We take the guesswork out of eating healthy by providing tasty meals on the go at ten New York-area locations. Check out our suggestions below for the best fuel for pedaling and the best foods that stay cool when the heat is on.

Water, Water and More Water: Staying hydrated is extremely important. Lauren Slayton, MS, RD, Founder of Foodtrainers recommends consuming at least one liter of water per hour of biking (24-32oz).

Energy Kitchen “cool” wraps: Grab a wrap and hit the road. Choose from California (370 calories) made with hummus, guacamole, roasted red peppers and cucumbers or Thai Chicken (432 calories) made with grilled chicken breast, carrots, baked Chinese noodles, cucumbers and spicy peanut sauce. Either of these wraps will withstand a long trip. Eat half and save the other half for a rest stop. If you plan on participating in bike races it’s good to get the hang of eating while riding (a lot harder than it sounds).

Nuts: “Walnuts are a great option as they are the only nut with anti-inflammatory omega 3s, Slayton says”.

Dried Fruit: Dates are an excellent, quick-release energy source.

Protein Bars: Clif, Luna, Kashi or KIND are all good options. Slayton suggests using higher protein bars post workout and higher carb bars during your ride—Pick one up at your local grocer, deli or Energy Kitchen.

Whole Grain Muffin: Freshly baked every day, Energy Kitchen whole grain muffins are fortified with vanilla protein to keep you feeling full longer. They are small enough to fit in your cooler. Choose from banana (238 calories) or blueberry (236 calories).

Nut/Sunbutter Sandwiches: Easy to make at home and take on the go, almond butter and sunbutter sandwiches can withstand hot temperatures.

Smoothies: Smoothies work well before, during or after a ride. Stop by an Energy Kitchen and refuel with a Vaccinator, Protein Punch or Peanut Better smoothie.

Fresh Fruit: Bananas, cut cantaloupe, watermelon or nectarines are simple to prepare and easy to transport.