Here was how I carried food for a 12 hour Time Trial, with 3 stops to pick up more.I got used to taking in 90gm an hour in food and drink. In this case I had an off the back system that allowed me to carry another two bottles and a bento box on the top tube where I put my already cut in half energy bars and gels. In this event I was in a skin suit hence no pockets. (This did for just over 236 miles)
The three stops I swapped out 4 bottles and a pre-prepare pack of gels and energy bars.
This pic shows the bottles and food in preparation for that event.
For a normal 3-4 hr training ride I carry a couple of bananas, (eat one on the hour) and two 750ml bottles with some carbs in. I also have a couple of reserve gels and reserve energy bar. That works for me. Should really carry and eat a bit more.
Some people put tools etc in their pockets. I just put food and spare clothing (gloves/gilet etc.). Tools I carry in a saddle bag.
If you want to up your ability to take in more carbs, just practice. Look at the carbs in each product and design a fueling strategy that gives you that every 30mins or hour. Follow it rigourously. My big lesson was bonking on a 70 mile training ride, realising I had not taken enough carbs, did the sums, worked out what I should have taken in, and worked to that.
For longer training rides I either A) loop back home and pick up new bottles or b) pull over at a cafe and fill bottles up having taken powdered energy drink with me to pour into the bottles. Simple,
Third pic - all I ate in that 12hr TT. Oh there was a sneaky bit of marzipan in there as well.
For a 137mile ride with my son, we packed the food in pockets and bento boxes on the top tube, I carried 4 bottles and we picked up a 5lt bottle of water in a shop to refill all our bottles around 70 miles in. All depends a bit on where you are and how you can plan things.
In cold weather with thick gloves I find it difficult to get stuff out of my pockets so I tend to put stuff in a bento box. But it depends on the ride. Just be safe when you are getting food out and/or drinking. Don’t take a risk.
I just read that you don’t drink much. Arghh. One day do a ride where you weight yourself before and after - you’ll get a shock. One bonking ride I lost 5 lb and was clearly dehydrated. I tend to drink 500ml an hour. More on a hot day. That is with some carbs in either High 5 or simple orange juice mixed 1:3 with water. Aim to pee clear at the end of a long ride (and be able to pee).
I hope this helps.