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Mountain Bikers: Are You Currently on a Diet?

Diet, along with mountain biking regularly, can go a long way toward improving and maintaining long-term health.

By Jeff Barber
February 25, 2022

9 comments

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A balanced diet, along with mountain biking regularly, can go a long way toward improving and maintaining long-term health. For some mountain bikers, riding hard is a excuse to binge, while for others it’s a part of a lifestyle that includes eating healthy foods.

Jeff Barber

Jeff Barber has been mountain biking since 1992 and has tested hundreds of mountain bikes and components. He is the co-founder of Singletracks and serves as Editor in Chief. Contact him at [email protected].

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9 Comments

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Oldandrolling South Carolina // 2018
Feb 27, 2022

As an older rider, I need to watch what I put into me. I do not eat any 'fast foods' and I had to choose between beer and soft drinks. I have not had a soft drink in over ten years.

1 reply

Bham MTB Alabama // 2019
Mar 3, 2022

Yeah, I'd like to know the average age of the "Eat whatever I want, whenever I want" because I used to be in that group at 20 something and 5'11 160 pounds. When I reached 220 pounds by age 40+ I had to change that philosophy. Now at 48 I've been 180-185 for the last 4-5 years eating low carb, basically skipping the simple starches, bread, pasta, sugar, etc.

0 reply

Called2RideMTB Maryland // 2017
Feb 25, 2022

A fairly well balanced diet matched to the exercise/rides I can get. I don't worry too much about how I eat as much as how much I eat.

0 reply

Chin Gao New Mexico // 2016
Mar 3, 2022

Complex carbs, chicken, broccoli, eggs, carrots, tomatoes, peanut butter, blue berries, pinto beans, red or green chili and an occasional tortilla… oh almost forgot I will eat dark chocolate covered almonds and pecans and once a month I will have a meatless pizza. No alcohol no soda no fruit juice just coffee and plenty of water. Damn I just got hungry.
Have a Super Safe Day.

0 reply

killer climb Pennsylvania // 2019
Feb 25, 2022

I used to use the ride hard so you can be abusive with fuel intake or beers .Now I'm watching my diet ,portions and doing more enjoyable riding. Power to weight is pretty cool to see get better.

0 reply

IT_Juggler Georgia // 2007
Mar 3, 2022

I'm on 3 different diets right now — I couldn't get enough to eat on any one of them. :-)

0 reply

IT_Juggler Georgia // 2007
Mar 3, 2022

Just kidding. I also am a few years older than I was when I bought my first mountain bike in 1983, so I just try to eat smaller portions than I once did.

0 reply

Sunspot Colorado // 2019
Feb 27, 2022

Jeff, my bikes insist I run on leaded premium at all times!

Frankly, a genuine diet of real foods prepared in a real kitchen are what I require. No process foods from boxes and bags. Just quality ingredients that actually take a little effort to render a good sit down to supper.
Low in salt, no MSG.
Pit cooking is 85% of my cooking choice. Appropriate wood for the meat on the menu, placement of a couple bakers... Dining cannot take place without a wood fire!

0 reply

AUTHOR

Jeff Barber Georgia // 1998
Feb 25, 2022

Oops, forgot to add an option for a healthy/well-balanced diet. Updated!

0 reply

Tagged: diet, nutrition, survey, tips

First published February 25, 2022 @ 2:30:00