Cycling Snacks | The 8 Best Energy Bars For Your Jersey Pocket

When hunger strikes and you’re out on your big ride, you want to make sure your jersey pockets are filled with energising snacks that don’t squash or turn into a liquid mess.

This is what the expert & experienced cyclist, Tommy Matthews (Master Trainer @ BMF Fitness), has to say on choosing the best snacks for your next long ride:

You should try to consume 30-60g of carbohydrate an hour as a target during longer training rides. As the body can absorb this amount & use it for energy on the move.

High sugar snacks aren't always the best. As the level of intensity on the bike, means there is a high glycemic load when using high sugar snacks which can effect the utilisation of fat as a fuel during endurance rides.

Finding a a balanced snack with fats in will reduce the impact of sugars present.

How to stay properly fuelled on your longer rides?

Proper nutrition is key to maintaining energy throughout your bike ride.

When exercising, your body is largely fuelled by carbohydrates. Some carbohydrates are stored as glycogen in the liver and muscles, but you need to continue fuelling your body during a long ride.

Starting with a full tank and keeping hydrated are important, but the longer you ride and the more hills you power up, the more you depend on snacks to keep your energy up.

So, keep snacks on board for any bike ride over an hour.

What makes a good biking snack is about more than just energy. It needs to be portable, provide your muscles with the nutrients they need, eaten on a good schedule and can't melt.

Pack more snacks than you think you need, and, in general, aim to have a few bites of food and a few sips of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes.

Emily Child @ Attacus Cycling

We caught up with Emily Childs, the founder of British Cycle wear brand Attacus Cycling, and asked:

What do you look for when choosing your snacks for your next big ride?

Something tasty. It can be the most nutritious thing in the world, but if it doesn’t taste good I’m not going back for seconds.

Also something with plenty of carbs that’s easy to carry in a jersey pocket and chew while riding.

What is your favourite snack for cycling?

Clif bars are definitely my favourite. The chocolate chip or crunchy peanut butter are my usual go-to.

The best thing about them for cycling is that they’re not sticky and they don’t melt - which is key when they have to spend a good few hours in a sweaty pocket on my back.

I’ll often unwrap them at home, chop them into bite-sized pieces and put them straight into my jersey pocket which makes them really handy to grab while you’re riding and means you don’t have to faff about with wrappers.

If you want to read more about what Emily has to say about starting your own business & the skills required as a founder then click here to read Emily’s full founders interview.

So what are Snackfully's 8 Best Energy Bars for Cycling in 2022?

1. Clif Bar Chocolate Chip

Made with Organic Rolled Oats; Source of Protein and Fibre & Vitamins B6 and B12 which contribute to the normal release of energy.
• 45g carbs per 68g bar

2. Get Fruity Mixed Berry Bar

Award winning, healthy, great tasting snack bar. Made from real fruit and fruit juice, with gluten free wholegrain oats. Baked to perfection in Cornwall with absolutely no artificial ingredients and no added cane sugar.
• 22g carbs per 35g bar

3. Kind Dark Chocolate Nuts & Sea Salt Bar

Whole nuts drizzled with dark chocolate and sprinkled with Sea Salt - it’s a simple recipe… but it’s packed with flavour. And with only 6g of sugar, you can satisfy your cravings without thinking twice.
• 16g carbs per 40g Bar

4. Stoats Raspberry & Honey Porridge Bar

All of Stoats products are hand-made. Their dedicated bakers combine wholesome, natural ingredients with around 20 years’ experience on average to create their Stoats goodies.
• 29g carbs per 50g Bar

5. Trek Peanut Power Bar

Made with a delicious combination of fruits, gluten free oats and nuts to keep you going, these healthy snacks have no added sugar or syrups.
Trek’s Protein Energy Bars are perfect fuel for your ride. They’ve made them with wholefood ingredients to deliver sustained energy that won’t give you a sugar spike like energy gels. Each bar is also made into 3 segments to help fuel you at intervals. Not only that but they’re 1 of your 5 a day, vegan and gluten free too!
• 26g carbs per 55g Bar

6. Nakd Blueberry Muffin Bar

Dairy-free, wheat-free and gluten-free snacking at its finest, explore the variety of mind-blowing, vegan-friendly Nakd bar flavours….just fruit & nut smooshed together.
• 19g carbs per 35g Bar

7. Creative Nature Carrot Cake Bar

This Creative Nature Crazy Carrot Cake Raw Fruit Oaties are the ultimate allergy-friendly snack bars.
How are they so epic?
They’re free-from the TOP 14 Allergens! Yes, you heard that right. A carrot cake bar that anyone suffering with allergies can enjoy.
• 20g carbs per 38g Bar

8. Tribe Vegan Honeycomb Triple Decker Nut Butter Bar

The Nut Butter Triple Decker is the UK's best-tasting plant protein bar. It has three layers; crunchy protein granola base, a thick peanut butter filling and a vegan chocolate topping. Discover the Force of Nature.
• 9.4g carbs per 40g Bar