Seattle Forrest

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/w...out-carbs.html

There's something in the flavor of a banana that rubs me the wrong way, so I won't be taking anything from this, but your mileage might vary.

caloso

"But there may be a downside, and it involves bloating."

I love bananas, but this can be an issue for me, particularly ones that are not quite ripe.

Hondo Gravel

A banana before and after a ride.

mcours2006

I used to eat a banana and drink a cup of water every morning before a run.

wolfchild

Not surprising at all. Of course real whole food will win every time...Having said that, I still use Gatorade but only after a very intense workout 2-3 times per week.

Carbonfiberboy 

What I don't like about bananas is seeing the skins on the bike shoulder. Put the skins in your pocket. You're going to wash that jersey anyway.

ERROR WARNINGS:
1) the cyclists did not get a "sports drink." They got a "sugar beverage" (type of sugar not specified). This would have had none of the electrolytes provided by a sports drink or bananas.
2) the fact that bananas apparently contain a COX-2 inhibitor like ibuprofen is not a good thing, it's a bad thing. I hope we all know not to take any NSAIDs prophylactically, specifically because they suppress prostaglandins, necessary for quick recovery.

redlude97

sucrose, fructose, and glucose (2:1:1) to match the bananas

canklecat

My usual pre-ride meal/snack is oatmeal with yogurt and sliced banana. Good fuel, day or night.

But I avoid bananas during rides. Too much bulk. And if I carry one, no matter how carefully, it'll turn to mush within a few hours. But you won't see my leftover banana skins. I can fling 'em pretty far off the road out of view. The fruit flies, wasps and other critters seem to appreciate them.

I carry energy bars instead. Think Thin are my current favorites -- easy to chew, not sticky or too sweet, and cheap.

I've been mixing my own ride drinks. Usually some electrolytes with Body Fortress Amino Blast. I might add a little creatine powder.

Wish I could afford to worry about the effect of NSAIDs or bananas inhibiting prostaglandins, but I tried doing without ibuprofen for a month and was miserable. I'm 60 with a lot of beat up body bits, especially my neck. While the natural body-produced rush of voodoo-mojo-whatever-tocin/tonin helps a bit with overall well being, nothing helps the neck and other joint aches as effectively and with relatively little risk as ibuprofen. Soaking in a hot tub with Epsom salts helps too.

BloomBikeShop

One of my coworkers (a marathon runner) has something called a Banana Saver. It's basically a yellow plastic case shaped like a banana, designed to prevent the issue you just described! It's pretty neat and only maybe $5. In case you ever do want to carry bananas during travel or training.

mcours2006

I never have this problem as long as the bananas are not overly ripened. Sure the skin may be bruised but the flesh is perfectly fine, and yes, I, too, fling it far into the bushes for the little critters.

mcours2006

Yeah, but that means you'd have to carry the darn thing for the whole ride.

TimothyH

Alternative?

How are bananas an alternative to sports drink? Bananas don't hydrate.

As to neatly packaged, NUUN tabs have them beat. My bike has a bottle holder but not a banana holder.

I'm not anti-banana but really, many of the articles written online nowadays are just drivel.


-Tim-

redlude97

and nuun tabs don't fuel like a sports drink or banana. I'd rather have a banana than nuun since electrolytes haven't proven to be necessary

wolfchild

On a bike ride I would prefer to carry dried figs and dates. They are a lot easier to carry than a banana and they also taste better.

caloso

Carry the peel home so it can decompose in my compost pile, or let it decompose in the foliage on the side of the road?

Daniel4

CBC Marketplace did a program about sports drinks with althetes and health professionals. Plain water is all you need to rehydrate. Gatorade is all marketing hype.

I usually bring a banana and water in my long rides. Sometimes I pack a lunch that includes soup in a thermos.

wolfchild

What about bananas vs sports drink vs chocolate milk ??...I say chocolate milk is the winner.

canklecat

Bananas are about 75% water. Not a bad source of hydration. And they come in nifty biodegradable containers. Unfortunately they also promote peristalsis at inconvenient times.

How 'bout a chocolate sports drink? I'm trying some stuff that claims to have whey protein, BCAAs, creatine and electrolytes, all in one. Okay, my sample is cookies and cream or something like that because it was on sale half price. But it could have been chocolate if I'd been less of a cheapskate.

gregf83 

Dates have never let me down. Much more energy dense than a banana.

khyricat

if you need the potassium and sugar and don't want banana orange works too.. otherwise water is enough unless you are talking major exertion over time then a bit of salt, carbs and potassium is helpful, but rather than a sports drink I do Judtins nut butter packets in chocolate or honey and a nut... followed by water.. or I just do banana or orange... dried banana chips work well on the go if you have plenty of water with you anyway.... real food is always best. dates are another great choice, so are figs.. I love the figs, but its hard to get others on that wagon as easily as dates it seems....

TGT1

My go to now is a half dozen Medgool dates in a Ziploc sprinkled with some Kosher salt. (Getting the right amount, not too much, not to little requires some experimentation.)

Just the right amount of sweet and sodium, plus the availability of a large pit to expectorate at wheel suckers

Daniel4

I'd save them in my mouth for cars who try to squeeze by you.

canklecat

I noticed cars giving me much wider berth than I really need this winter and spring. I wondered why until today. Between asthma and allergies I'm spitting like an insane camel or llama. I usually spit to the right, away from cars, but apparently just the sight of my water balloon sized loogies are motivated passing vehicles to give me plenty of room.

Seattle Forrest

When I did Washington Pass from Mazama, I got to the top just as a pair of climbers were getting back to their car. They were in a good mood and seemed happy to see me, one of them yelled out "want a snack?" and held up a banana. I stopped to chat for a minute, they even took the peel when I was done.

TimothyH

This is anecdotally incontrovertible proof that bananas win.


-Tim-