Fuel for cycling

In addition to muscular and cardiovascular training, a healthy balanced diet is an essential ingredient in your preparation for the London to Paris bike ride. The following recommendations will greatly aid your performance and improve your recovery time.

1.    Eat plenty of complex carbohydrates

Whole grain or starchy foods:

100% whole grain pasta
100% whole grain bread
100% whole gain cereals

Beans                            Lentils
Brown rice                     Oatmeal
Legumes (root veg)    Sweet potatoes

2.   Lean Proteins

Protein is essential for recovery.

Chicken & turkey breast
Eggs / Egg whites (One yolk for every three whites)
Fish (Tuna, salmon, cod, haddock, shark!
Lean Red meats (sirloin or fillet steak)
Low or non fat dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese, ect.)

3.      Fibrous carbohydrate

Fibrous carbohydrates regulate your metabolism.

Apples              Broccoli                   Cucumber         Peaches
Bananas          Brussel sprouts    Grapes              Peas
Blue berries     Carrots                   Green beans    Oranges
Asparagus       Cauliflower             Lettuce              Mushrooms
Pears                Peppers                  Plums               Raspberries
Salads             Spinach                   Tomatoes         Pasta source Salsa

4.    Healthy fats

These healthy fats will help you burn bad fats.

Fish oils             Natural peanut butter    Olive oil
Flaxseed oil       Nuts and seeds            Olives

The trick to a healthy diet and life style is to COMBINE at least ONE of these 4 foods with every meal.

ie Brown rice + mixed green salad + salmon.

Often it is hard to get enough good fat into your diet so a essential fat or fish oil supplement is advised.

Try to eat within 20 minutes of completing a training session.

Remember you will need to eat more than the recommended daily intake of calories (2000 woman & 2500 men) depending on how fit you are, your training schedule, your job and your body weight.

Eating a combination of these food will allow you to train harder and for longer. Eating too many junk foods you’ll run out of energy within an hour or so.

Also if you have put a few pound on over the Christmas period then this nutrition plan will help you get back into shape. Remember cycling is much easier when your not carrying too much excess weight.

So focus on your nutrition plan and be in great shape. Not only will you fly up the hills but you’ll be ready for the next one.

It’s that easy.

If you need any help or advice, please email Mike on mn@greatbritishbikeride.com and we will put you on the right road to having a wonderful experience completing the London to Paris Bike Ride.

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