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.
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.
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.
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.
Oops, forgot to add an option for a healthy/well-balanced diet. Updated!
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.
I’m on 3 different diets right now — I couldn’t get enough to eat on any one of them. 🙂
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.
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.
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!