A couple of years ago, I started training for triathlons. I’m far from a natural superathlete — the initial motivation was to balance out my love of food! — but I’ve always been a regular exerciser and wanted a new challenge. I’ve now caught the racing bug, and along with it comes a whole new world of nutrition. Every veteran triathlete or marathon runner has his or her regimen, and it’s hard to sort through all of the energy bars, gels and powders on the market. Here are five natural, homemade power snacks that won’t leave you puzzling over unpronounceable ingredients on the back of the package.
Alton Brown’s protein bars (pictured above) are loaded with soy protein powder and peanut butter, plus wheat germ, oat bran and dried fruit. They’re easy to transport and even munch on during a long bike ride.
Melissa d’Arabian amps up granola bars with chocolate or vanilla whey protein, which tastes delicious and turns this classic after-school snack into a more filling one that’ll give you a boost of energy.
At races, I noticed competitors cutting up bars into bite-size pieces for easy eating during a race. Instead, just bring a few of Trisha Yearwood’s power balls. Her no-bake power snack is chock-full of crunchy peanut butter, oats, sunflower seeds, flax seeds and dried cranberries.
Natural peanut butter is a great source of protein found right in your pantry. These energy bars combine it with chopped nuts, oats, puffed brown rice cereal and dried fruit for a perfect pre-race snack or breakfast on the go.
My favorite fuel-up breakfast on race day is simply a bowl of hearty oatmeal. Save time by making overnight oats the night before, so they’re all ready to go when you rise before dawn. All you have to do is top with almonds and honey (optional), then grab a spoon.
Get more tips and ideas for snacks to fuel your workout.
from Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog http://ift.tt/1ciLtt1
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