Training & Nutrition - Fried chicken

Last week I was talking to a guy that rides a lot & he was saying on long rides he will take fried chicken shredded up in a baggy.

He said it taste better then power bars & he thought it lasted longer in your body.

Just wondering if anyone else has heard or has done this?????

Sunday I'm riding in my first century & was thinking of taking some with me. I tried it last night on a 30 mile ride & it didn't bother my tummy.

I think, for a lot of people, that is a lunch that would be easy to lose while you're riding your bike.

I can understand it taste better but all the oils and extra stuff I cant see being good. Also a large percentage of things in life that are good for u or help u in some way dont taste good ex. some power bars.

I eat chicken sandwiches from restaurants in the middle of my centuries and longer rides.

And I carry, and eat, beef jerky on my centuries and longer rides, which would be a similar idea to what your friend is doing.

Protein and fat are a good fuel sources for long rides, and they do last longer in your body.

I used to choke down energy bars too, and then I realized that they aren't that special. An oatmeal raisin cookie has essentially the same nutrients, and is much, much better tasting. So, I pretty much quit consuming energy bars of any sort on my long rides (although the Powerbar Harvest are tolerable, so I might have those once in a while because it is a convenient fuel source). Instead I prefer all sorts of yummy food!! :)

yes oatmeal raisin cookies, they are such a good training tool, use them all the time in my other sports when i need some quick fuel.

too much protein and your body spends a bunch of energy trying to figure out what to do with it all... remember protein = 4cal/g and it doesnt burn as fast as 9cal/g carbs. i'd stick to carbs (mostly complex).

too much protein and your body spends a bunch of energy trying to figure out what to do with it all... remember protein = 4cal/g and it doesnt burn as fast as 9cal/g carbs. i'd stick to carbs (mostly complex).

Carbs are 4 cal/gm. FAT is 9 cal/gm. :)

... Brad

Carbs are 4 cal/gm. FAT is 9 cal/gm. :)

... Brad

oops right/. still protein wont burn as fast.

oops right/. still protein wont burn as fast.

No, it won't ... which is why it is perfect for long distance cycling.

You still need carbs for quicker fuel, but eating proteins and fats keeps you going out there ... and going ... and going ... and going ....

I recently tried Mainstay emergency rations on a ride. These seemed like they might be good choices for carrying hundreds of k worth of food conveniently on the bike. A bar has 400 cal of which 210 are from fat (23g). My initial reaction is that it felt like the energy was not available to me. Only tried this on one ride, so there could have been other factors. Will need to experiment some more, but I suspect the high fat content makes it too slow or difficult to absorb. It could still be a good pre-ride food.

One of the beliefs is that the amount of free fatty acids in the bloodstream will enhance fat burning. That might be his reason?

His reason is likely that it tastes good and works.