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By following the exploits of your favorite cyclists, you might have already wondered: what is the diet of a professional cyclist? Indeed, if you ride yourself, maybe you've already wanted to try the same products as them? Today, we'll reveal the diet followed by the riders of the Tour de France.
What's for breakfast for the Tour de France riders?
Breakfast is an important meal for the Tour de France riders as it helps to store glycogen in the muscles in preparation for the stage. It's taken a few hours before the start of the race and is generally composed of:
- Carbohydrates (whole grain cereals, whole grain bread with jam or honey);
- Proteins (yogurt, cottage cheese, plant-based milk, white ham, omelette, etc.);
- Vitamins/minerals (freshly pressed fruit juice, compote, fruits, dried fruits, etc.);
- Beverages (tea or coffee);
- Sometimes pasta or whole grain rice.
What do the Tour de France riders eat during the race?
During the race, the riders need to fuel up to maintain a high performance level and avoid bonking. For this, they consume:
- Cereal bars;
- Energy gels;
- Compotes or pieces of fruit;
- Savory snacks (cake, tart, etc.).
What snack for the Tour de France riders?
As soon as they cross the finish line, the cyclists have a snack to replenish glycogen in their bodies and rebuild muscle fibers. It consists of several elements:
- Salted sparkling water;
- Sugary drink (as much as desired within 90 minutes);
- Fruit compote;
- Rice, pasta, potatoes, polenta, semolina, etc.;
- Proteins (white ham, turkey, etc.);
- Protein shake enriched with minerals.
What's for dinner for the Tour de France riders?
Most of the calories used during the day have been compensated for by the snack, so dinner is mainly about preparing for the next day's stage and therefore building reserves for it. It's primarily composed of:
- Carbohydrates (plenty of pasta and whole grain rice);
- Vitamins and minerals (cooked vegetables but no raw ones);
- Proteins (white meat, fish, etc.);
- A treat for dessert (but not fatty to aid digestion).
Now that you know the diet of Tour de France riders, how about finding out which energy drinks are favored on the Tour de France?
