Bike farther, ride longer with whole grains

A guest post by J. Baird at Grape-Nuts

WITH ALL THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL BENEFITS of cycling, baby boomers are hopping on their bikes now more than ever. But aging can affect your stamina. So, how can you improve stamina and increase your energy level for your next bike ride?

That’s where whole grains come to the rescue. Whole-grain foods are a healthy choice because they contain nutrients, fiber and other healthy plant compounds found naturally in the grain. Not only does eating whole grains promote health maintenance, it can also help you power up short-term for your next bike ride. Here are 4 reasons why incorporating whole grains into your diet can help maximize your performance and comfort during your ride:

1. Sustain Your Energy. The body digests whole-grain carbohydrates more slowly than simple carbs, providing a constant source of fuel that keeps energy levels stable throughout your ride. You won’t feel the surge-and-crash effect of caffeine or sugar.

2. Feel Full Longer. The Mayo Clinic reports that including fiber in your diet can make a meal feel larger and linger longer, so you stay full for a greater amount of time. Perfect for those long, leisurely Sunday rides.

3. Be Versatile. Combine whole grains with a variety of light, nutritious ingredients, like fresh vegetables, fruits, nuts and lean meats. Not only will you end up with a satisfying way to power up for action, you’ll have plenty of snacks and meal ideas to choose from.

4. Maximize Your Energy. Aim to eat a small meal or snack one to two hours before you head out the door. A relatively high-carbohydrate, moderate protein, low-fat meal is best to consume before a workout, like a half-cup serving of Post Grape-Nuts cereal (which contains 52 grams of whole grains and 7 grams of naturally occurring fiber). Sprinkle Grape-Nuts on pro-biotic yogurt for a fiber boost with a satisfying crunch, or add fresh fruit to your Grape-Nuts with milk for a naturally sweet and healthy way to power your ride.

Comments

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One of the easiest ways to start getting healthier is to start improving your diet.