Gluten Free Sports Nutrition Snacks

My general rule of thumb is to eat on the bike when I do anything more than 35-40 miles (which is most weekends) and while running, anything over 9-10 miles, but it all depends on how you are feeling. If your body tells you it needs fuel, listen to it. I usually break my food down in to pieces so I can grab a bite here and a bit there to avoid over-eating... which is not to pleasant or comfortable.

Clif Kid Twisted Fruit - These fun snacks are easy to eat fast and are pretty much just an added boost of sugar. While they probably aren’t technically the best thing to eat, I love them and they’ll avoid any exhaustion. They are also easy to digest. My favorite flavor: grape! All organic and no processed sugars!

Bonk Breaker: These energy bars are designed for athletes. These gluten free gems might be hard to come across but you can order them online. In flavors like Peanut Butter & Jelly and Peanut Butter & Dark Chocolate, how can you go wrong? You can’t really. Made with gluten free oats and packed with protein, these bars provide a great nutritional punch on my hard, long rides and taste awesome. I cut these up, put them in a zip lock bag and grab a bite from my pockets.

Banana: Pure. Simple. Easy. And great for cramping. You’ll never see me on the bike with a banana poking without the back jersey pockets.

Lara Bar Mini’s: Peanut Butter Cookie or Peanut Butter & Jelly flavors are Mmm Mmm good. Look in my pantry and you’ll see it filled to the brim with these. They are the perfect amount of calories and carbs for a one-biter when the going gets tough. Now LaraBar, listen up, pleeease make Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough in Mini’s. I beg.

Sharkie’s: Organic Sports Chews! Berry Blast or Fruit Splash are my favorite flavors and you won’t find any gelatin or refined sugars in Sharkies. Complex carbohydrates make up half of the ingredients, which keep children and athletes from "sugar crashing" and sustains energy. Also, the “kids” version are ridiculously good but the “adult” flavors are better nutritionally.

ThinkThin Mini’s: Another easy to eat bar but there is a catch... they melt. So I won’t being using these in the dog days of summer because you’ll look like a kid who got a hold of a chocolate cake. But they are quite tasty!

Buddy Fruits: L-O-V-E these for my long runs!! Easy to digest while running... which is a tricky thing all in itself. Banana Strawberry is delish and they fit pretty easily into any gel pockets your run shorts or water bottle holders may have! And, they are all natural, made with 100% fruit. You can find these in the produce section of your grocer.

In my water bottle: Vitamin Water or Vitamin Water Zero - I skip the sugar of Gatorade and stick with water or Vitamin Water. I just feel better drinking this, whether it be in my head or not. And so many good flavors to choose from.

You may be wondering where all of the actual “sports” specific snacks are like, Gü, but truth be told, they don’t agree with me, especially while my heart rate is high and I’m working my tush off. While gels and blocks may work for some, I haven’t had much success with them in the past, even if they are gluten free.