Running Nutrition: Jason Koop's Secret Rice Ball Recipe

We're sharing how to make Jason Koop's Secret Rice Ball recipe from his new book Training Essentials for Ultrarunning.
One of the greatest truths about sports nutrition is that even the best foods are useless if they stay in your pocket. You have to put those calories, electrolytes, and fluids into your body for them to do you any good. That means you have to like how they taste, how they smell, how they feel in your mouth, and how easy they are to unwrap and get down your throat. When I was a novice endurance athlete, I loved Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and one of my early experiments in sports nutrition was to cram three or four into a sandwich bag and squeeze them out a corner, as you would a carbohydrate gel. My tastes and my cooking skills have improved since then, and I developed two variations of a rice ball that meet the during-workout and during-competition nutrition guidelines in this chapter and have the taste, texture, and convenience characteristics that make them a go-to favorite for several of my athletes.
Sweet and Salty Rice Balls
Makes about 12 rice balls.
2 Eggs
1 1/2 Cups Uncooked Basmati Rice
2 Tbsp. Honey
1 Tbsp. Soy Sauce
Instructions:
Cook the rice.
Scramble and cook the eggs.
Combine rice, eggs, honey, and soy sauce in a larger mixing bowl.
Scoop small portions into sandwich bags and tie the ends off.
Per Ball: Calories 115 // Carbohydrate 20 g // Protein 2 g // Sodium 327 mg
Bacon and Egg Rice Balls
Makes about 12 rice balls.
2 Eggs
2 Strips Bacon
1 1/2 Cups Uncooked Basmati Rice
2 oz. Grated Parmesan Cheese
Salt to Taste
Instructions:
Cook the rice.
Scramble and cook the eggs.
Cook the bacon. Drain excess fat and chop.
Combine rice, eggs, bacon, cheese, and salt in a larger mixing bowl.
Scoop small portions into sandwich bags and tie the ends off.
Per Ball: Calories 133 // Carbohydrate 18 g // Protein 4 g // Fat 5 g // Sodium 327 mg
You can learn more about the book at trainright.com/ultrarunning/

[@danielhilback8042]

Hello! How do you eat these easily during an ultra? Tear a corner off and squish out?

[@homonym7638]

I think when done right (compacted when cooled), they should form little balls and you just pop 'em in your mouth.

[@homonym7638]

Then you chew, and... well, you probably know the rest.