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Convenience stores aren’t sanctuaries of healthy eating, though they are, well,
convenient. Your corner store probably features more fat than Oprah’s lost, but
may have healthy food hidden among the sludge. Here are ten healthful foods
available at your corner store:
Fruit.
In any convenience store foray, opt for the fruit first—it’s a great source of
vitamins and carbohydrate without the fat.
Energy bars.
PowerBar started the sports bar revolution and consumer demand drove it into
convenience stores. Now you’ll find a whole shelf of different brands—most low
in fat and high in carbs. The drawback: Rated on cost per grams-of-carbohydrate,
they’re expensive but they carry well in a pocket.
Fruit bars.
Fig bars, apricot bars—they’re great choices for a high-carb snack and they’re
inexpensive too. A bonus: If you’re on your bike, each bar goes down in two
quick bites.
Sports drinks.
Soda and fruit juice used to be your only choices but now you can find Gatorade
and its sports-drink brethren in every store.
Coffee.
Coffee? Yes, a cup can be a performance booster. Several studies have shown that
endurance performance improves after caffeine. If you’re starting out on a ride
or run, choose a small cup rather than a large one so you don’t spend the whole
trip looking for restrooms (coffee is a mild diuretic). Add sugar for some
carbohydrate. Don’t forget caffeine-containing soda if you don’t like coffee.
Chips.
I know, potato chips have lots of fat—up to 50 percent of the calories. But they
also give you a dose of carbohydrate and sodium, important if you’ve been kicking
it hard. That’s why ultramarathon cyclists and runners go for the chips. Don’t
make a habit of munching, but if you’ve been running or biking for miles and it’s
still a long way home, they’ll revive you quickly.
Instant soup.
If you’re riding or running and get caught in a cold rain, a cup of instant soup
can be a lifesaver. Buy the soup and mix it using the store’s hot water
intended for tea.
Packaged bagels.
Okay, the store-bought variety may not be as fresh or tasty as hot-out-of-the-oven
bagels from your local specialty shop but they’re high in carbs, low in fat, and
easy to eat. Snag a couple of small tubs of jam and a plastic knife and you’re
ready to go.
Bean burrito.
Hungry for something substantial? Here’s a dose of real food with
about 250 calories, 45 grams of carbohydrate (equal to most energy bars) and only
5 grams (or less than 20 percent) fat. If it isn’t spicy enough, get a small
jar of salsa.
Gummy bears.
They’re not your average bear. A three ounce package contains 260
calories, a whopping 62 grams of carbohydrate—plenty of fast fuel for your
body—and absolutely no fat. Drawback: They stick to your teeth.
Brush soon.
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