The Bicycle Tourers Diet - An Introduction

This morning as I was messing with my brother about a tour we should take, first to test out google maps new walking directions and second to get him some experience in bicycle touring the conversation took a turn in wondering what to eat, when you are on a bicycle tour and on a very tight budget, for the protein. As a result of to many years of that being presented as the only solution to workouts to get the most of it. Though all that promotion never did explore the alternatives to eating meat, such as vegetables, or any product or item, that is both light weight and provides the protein without having to carry meat bought from the store for it's tendency to defrost and spoil when sitting in panniers for a long distance.

On that point I offered some examples, of ways to save money on the tour, by checking your pantry and the nutrition information on some of the lighter products and easiest to prepare. Items such as Ramen Noodle Soup, powdered milk, tuna in the small can to cut down on weight, and something as simple as bread. The common theme being non-perishable goods with the lower prices, and easy to carry or compact as needed.

Let us go back for a moment, the examples I offer here are simply, items that can be used and carried and offer the needed vitamins and minerals that are likely to burn while riding. Initially the time frame is about a couple days to at the most a week of bicycle touring with an emphasis on weight and ease of preparation.

Proteins

Many people
believe that there is great danger of not getting enough protein.
Actually, protein shortage is pretty rare, and the human body needs
only a small amount; the USDA says we need only 50 grams per day.
Excess protein is not stored but is turned into fat, the process
creating a strain on the liver and kidneys. Protein is found not only
in red meat, chicken, fish, milk, and eggs, but also in legumes, nuts,
seeds, grains, and some green vegetables. Strict vegetarians do need to
plan their diets, as most non-animal sources have reduced amounts of
some of the essential amino acids and must be combined with
complimentary protein sources. An excellent source of information for
that purpose is Diet for a Small Planet by Frances Moore Lappé.
However, I will add briefly that many traditional complimentary
combinations occur around the world, such as peanut butter and bread
(USA), bread and cheese (Italy and France), beans and corn (Mexico),
lentils and rice (India), rice and beans (Caribbean), and soy with rice
(China).

kenkifer.com

Following that line of thought I put together a list of lightweight, and cost effective options for those needs of protein when on a bike tour.

• Powdered Milk: 8g per 1/3 cup.
• Top Ramen: 10g / pkg
• White Tuna: 14g / 4
• Oatmeal: 10g / 2 servings
• Raisin Bran: 8g / Bowl
• Old Fashioned Peanut Butter: 8g / tsp
• Jif Peanut Butter: 7g / 2 Tbsp

The amazing thing is, though it has long been promoted that we as the public at large should eat meat it is not wholly necessary, there are alternative sources of protein that is better for you besides the waste that one piece of beef costs with a ration 1:8

Amazing how easily you can end up on a tangent don't you think? The idea behind this article was simply to prove that alternatives to meat, that may spoil on a bike tour, could be complemented with other types that are easy to carry and do well for being in the heat all day. Now unless you have insulated panniers and they can stay cold all day, it appears we have reached an impasse. On a bike tour you consider so many other things weight becomes an issue, or at least space efficency, on a tour, you do not need to eat to heavily, and it is perhaps better you do not as it makes sense to grow from there.

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