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Best Breakfast for a Commuter?

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Old 01-04-10 | 03:45 PM
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Best Breakfast for a Commuter?

Hi guys,

Noob here as I want to get fit for 2010...

What would you recomend to be good fuel for my morning commute. I will be riding approx 13 to work.

As its very cold out would it be benificial to have a warm breaky or not? And is there anything to stay clear of?

Thanks!

J
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Old 01-04-10 | 03:49 PM
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Try oats and fruit.
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Old 01-04-10 | 03:54 PM
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Welcome.

Depends on how long your commute is. A little oat meal works for me (warm).
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Old 01-04-10 | 04:00 PM
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It depends how fast you ride and how hilly your route is. I generally eat two eggs (either fried or in a French omelette), some sort of meat or veggie meat substitute (bacon, sausage, or a Morningstar Sausage patty), and a piece of toast (usually dry).
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Old 01-04-10 | 04:05 PM
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I'm an oatmeal man, myself - with a little fruit like frozen blueberries, raisins or a touch of brown sugar and some milk. Most other breakfast options have me ready to eat my own hands by 11 am.
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Old 01-04-10 | 04:14 PM
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Another vote for oats. I switched from rolled oats to steel cut recently. I like them a lot. Very nutty, hearty flavor. I just nuke them, and stir in some skim milk, maple syrup, and dried fruit.
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Old 01-04-10 | 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 10 Wheels
Try oats and fruit.

^This is good.^ My commute is 20.5 mi. Oats, wheat germ, milled flax seed, muselix w/soy milk. Mix and microwave for 1.5 mins. Add honey or molasses. My wife refers to my concoction as 'gruel'. Add fruit(banana for me) or eat separately. Also, I do a large cup o' java and carry a wb that I rarely use enroute. Yogurt, sometimes. Coming home's different. I'll drain the wb, usually. 28 oz.

Supplements, too. Fish oil 1500 i.u., b-complex w/C, multi, 1000 i.u. D, 1000mg calcium, 250 mg magnesium, iron, milk thistle, st john's wort...there're others, but I can't recall them.

13 mi one way is a good clip. Eat like an athlete. Lean meats, fish, chicken w/o the skin, salads, steamed veggies and BROWN rice. Plenty of water, too.

Satchel Paige said, "Stay away from fried foods, they angrys up the blood" Sage advice from a man who pitched in the Major Leagues at age 50. He threw 2 shutouts for the Cleveland Indians in September 1948. The last time they won the World Series.
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Old 01-04-10 | 04:20 PM
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Thanks!

Hoping to avg 12-15mph to start with and take just over an hour. The fried egg, sausage and Toast option sounds my cup of tea but might have to opt for the Oatmeal to help lose weight.

Is there anything in particular that gives stomach cramps whilst cycling? ie cup of coffee before ride or straight after.
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Old 01-04-10 | 04:24 PM
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Grease will give me cramps -- or worse -- if I have it right before a ride. Never had a problem with coffee, but I probably have a higher tolerance for it than most.
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Old 01-04-10 | 04:24 PM
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That's really for you to figure out - everyone's different. The only thing that makes me uncomfortable is a large meal just before riding. After 30 minutes, I'm golden, though.
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Old 01-04-10 | 04:49 PM
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One of these will do you.... better make that two. You'll need fuel for the ride home.

It’s true folks! We do have the best Cinnamon Rolls on Vancouver Island – voted in a Times-Colonist poll. Don’t believe the Island’s readers? Come on down and let us prove it to you!
Bubby Roses Bakery & Cafe

We are open Tuesday through Sunday at Bubby 1 while we are available for your pleasure seven days a week at Bubby 2.

The coffee is from Discovery Coffee Roasters and the espresso machine is the famous Synesso from Seattle.


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Old 01-04-10 | 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by spann3rs
Thanks!

Hoping to avg 12-15mph to start with and take just over an hour. The fried egg, sausage and Toast option sounds my cup of tea but might have to opt for the Oatmeal to help lose weight.

Is there anything in particular that gives stomach cramps whilst cycling? ie cup of coffee before ride or straight after.
I make a small omelette (one egg, veggies, cheese) and a can of V8 juice. My body does best when it doesn't get too many carbs. For me the best way to lose weight is avoid the carbs (toast, oatmeal, etc.)
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Old 01-04-10 | 05:13 PM
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I have porridge and then after 10 miles when I get to work I eat either cereal or sausages and bacon
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Old 01-04-10 | 05:13 PM
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You guys eat before riding to work?
I've tried doing this before and it gave me stomach pains. The only thing I can keep down is half of a cliff bar right before riding off in the morning. Anything more is just too heavy for me.

Lately a glass of water is all I've been consuming before the ride. Breakfast usually comes an hour after I arrive to work.
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Old 01-04-10 | 05:25 PM
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I give myself 30-40 minutes after breakfast before riding. I get up early and take my time. If I rode right after a meal I'd probably throw up.

First thing after getting up: a big glass of room-temp water. Then I eat some low fat yogurt, multigrain toast with low fat cream cheese or cottage cheese and have some sweet black tea (I like sweet tea, can't help it). I often eat oatmeal with hot milk too with some honey. I can't eat fruit with my meals, other than banana, my stomach doesn't like that.

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Old 01-04-10 | 05:53 PM
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I recommend black pudding (kidding)
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Old 01-04-10 | 05:59 PM
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I usually don't eat anything. I think this is a thing that is easy to overthink. Most likely it matters very little both what you eat and whether you eat.

Paul
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Old 01-04-10 | 06:04 PM
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No special eating or drinking is required for 13 miles.

I like Quaker Banana Bread flavor instant oatmeal and a banana. Lots of fiber and protein keeps me from snacking before lunch.
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Old 01-04-10 | 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by Doohickie
I make a small omelette (one egg, veggies, cheese) and a can of V8 juice. My body does best when it doesn't get too many carbs. For me the best way to lose weight is avoid the carbs (toast, oatmeal, etc.)
second this
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Old 01-04-10 | 06:39 PM
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I ride 11 miles one way to work. I don't eat or drink anything until after I get to work. In the summer if the temp is > 85 degrees or so, I will bring some water with me.

As has been said, if you do eat something, then you really should wait. I want to get the heck to work, because the sooner I get there, the sooner I can leave again.
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Old 01-04-10 | 06:43 PM
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Are you immediately eating before riding or waiting like a half hour or more? Also, are you trying to go fast on your commute or taking it easy? Some people prefer a piece of fruit and a tall glass of water or coffee (something light) right before leaving. If you have some time (15 minutes to half an hour) intant oatmeal is good as well. I like a bit of protien like a small protien shake or two hard boiled eggs.

Some of what you decide is going to be trial and error. You will learn how certain foods will interact with you on your ride. Sometimes it also depends on the pace your are going.
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Old 01-04-10 | 07:05 PM
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I have wheat toast with peanut butter and a couple of glasses of water right before leaving and usually drink a bit more along the way.
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Old 01-04-10 | 08:25 PM
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I usually have a bowl of bran cereal or some oatmeal, which stokes the fire during these chilly mornings. I usually add some berries and a little honey and I'm good to go. I always eat breakfast and feel much better. It also helps me eat less for lunch.

However, we're all different!
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Old 01-04-10 | 08:40 PM
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Another oatmeal fan here. I like to nuke mine with dried cranberries. Then I add brown sugar, margarine, wheatgerm, walnuts, and milk.
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Old 01-04-10 | 08:46 PM
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11 miles one way, and I have a cup of coffee and a can of V-8 juice before I leave. When I get there, I will go with a Nutri-Grain bar.
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