I start my ride in the morning at 5:40 a.m., which means I haven’t had anything to eat since the night before. I typically ride anywhere from 27 to 47 miles before work. I can ride a shorter ride with no calories at all, but I’ve found that I feel a little better if I have at least something in my stomach before I head out.
I don’t want to consume too many calories, and I also don’t want to spend a ton of money on energy gels or Powerbars or other “real” energy bars that can cost $1 to $1.50 each. A serving of an energy drink can also be expensive, and tends to make me hungrier than eating nothing at all.
I discovered an inexpensive alternative — Rice Krispies Treats!
These come 16 to a box from the grocery store, and they’re cheap! They only have 90 calories, which is just enough to give me some fuel and not so much that I am adding too many empty calories to my diet each day. Rice, sugar and marshmallow, so they have plenty of instant carb fuel to keep you going. And the box says No High Fructose Corn Syrup on it, which appeals to me. Although strangely, it does say “corn syrup” in the ingredients of the marshmallow part of the treat, without the “high fructose” part. I’m not sure what that means, so I try not to think about it too much.
See the Kellogg’s nutritional information.
This is my day to day “energy bar” when I just need enough calories to get me through a regular training ride.
When I am racing or riding events, or riding for longer than a couple of hours, I will typically use some kind of commercial energy drink or energy bar like those from GU, Hammer Nutrition or somewhere else.
If you need something quick, cheap and easy, I recommend Rice Krispies Treats.
What do you use as a cheap energy bar or drink when you ride? Leave a comment!
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is the other major book on endurance cycling.