I hate paying for energy fuels but need to do something to supplement my training as I continue to add volume going into the summer. Who has experimented with alternative normal foods that are cheap and readily available? I make jam or peanut butter sandwiches sometimes, or bring along a bagel, but I am interested in other ideas.
Chad
I’m a BIG fan of candy. I’ve got a “source” coming up on the weekend bringing me a bunch of Red Vines because they are my faaaaaaaaaaaavorite, but I can’t get them here. When I don’t have them, I use cherry blasters. I also go with bananas so that I’m still getting some real food too.
our semi-alternative grocery has a huge bulk section that has a variety of fig/fruit ‘newton’-knockoff cookies that are cheap, very carby, and reasonably durable.
Snickers bars. Seriously. Maybe it’d be too hot where you are, but when I was riding long(er) back in the day, I’d hit up a deli or grocery store along the way for a Snickers, or KitKat, or Chunky. Yum.
I buy these 50 lb. bags of maltodextrin and just mix it in my water bottle. One bag last 4-5 months and supplies about 90% of my needs for energy fuels. I also mix it with some Whey protein for my recovery drink. It has no flavor and adds little to no taste or sweetness to water. At about $55 a bag with shipping is a great deal.
pop tarts
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I live in Canada and powerbars costs around $2 each bar. A month ago, I went to Virginia (training camp) and i got in Wallmart. They are selling 5 powerbar for $4 and some change… less expensive than a chocolat bar. So I brought back 100 bars, I’m ok for a few months. Also, go on eBay plenty of energy foods for cheap price, just make sure to verify expiry date before buying.
Snickers, Paydays, Fig Newtons, cans of Gatorade powder which make 6 gallons, 2 liter bottles of Coke, stop at a gas station and hit the fountain drinks, bananas, bagels. Also learn to exercise on less.
Old school= Bananas
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Rice Krispy Treats
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Peanut butter sandwiches. Seriously.
I did IMC on Fig Newtons and peanut butter pretzels.
PB & J sandwiches, pretzels, regular old granola bars (which, unlike powerbars, actually go on sale), bananas.
With the exception of racing (and the extra one or two I carry in my purse for low blood glucose emergencies), I dont touch gels. Too $$, and nothing special with the exception of the fact that its easily digestible.
Nutrigrain bars in bulk at costco. 140 calories each. A little gatorade and one of those an hour and I am good to go.
I only use gels when the intensity gets a little high or late in a really long ride.
Not sure I would use them in a Half or IM though. 2 grams of fiber in each bar. That could make the run too interesting for me.
Uncrustables @ Costco.
Not as cheap as making your own but prepackaged and frozen so they’re eadible when you’re ready.
On long rides, stop at a gas station and get a Hostess fruit pie.
There’s like 470 calories for $1.20. If you can’t put the whole thing down, split it with a friend.
jaretj
I try to find stuff on sale as best I can and stock up when I find a bargain. Local Performance shop had “buy 2 get 1 free” on boxes of Gu’s so I bought a few. But I’ll hit up WalMart and Costco once a month or so to see if there are any sales going.
+1 Pop Tarts. Red vines are good too.
Dude…PBJ is the right answer.
If you want to experiment with cheap, but effective…
Try the Japanese method: make sticky rice and make it into about 1/3 or 1/2 cup triangles. wrap in clingwrap or put in a cheap baggie. You can sweeten it with a little sugar or even other stuff like raisins.
The little japanese climber in Iwakuni we called “Mr. Roboto” used to bring 4 or 5 of those on a ride and proceed to school us over 60-100 miles. Rice and water. CHEAP.
I tried it for a while when I was there. Its calories in. Guys like you and I probably need 5 of the 1/2 cup versions for 60-80 miles…with a bit of sugar tossed in.
Heck…lots of stuff mixes well with rice…that is still cheap. Just gotta be careful not to make whatever it is too sticky.
PB&J with the crusts cut off =)
Also, Costco/BJs/Sam’s usually has bulk stuff like Powerbars that are a little easier for carrying around than bananas and PB&Js.