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Energy Bars
OK, so i do the odd enduro and have been working on my nutrition for a while....i thought I had it sorted, but last week I was given something else to add to the mix!
I eat the PowerBar Ride bars during my races, small chunks at a time, then throw in a Winners Energy Bar, gets a bit expensive but they work.
Last week whilst out on the track I was given a Carman's Muesli bar, tasted great, rubbish went in my back pocket and i thought no more of it. Later i got the wrapper out and was looking at what was in it and the nutrition info....to my surprise the nutrition info was nearly the same as my other bars, so i went out and bought some.....even better was i got 6 bars for just a few cents more than one ride bar.
So, what makes those more expensive bars better....anyone have any ideas??
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Steve K on -
Marketing? :)
Sorry, that's just the cynic in me. In a similar vein and not to derail the topic, I once read that ice cream topping is just about the same as "energy gel". I read that on the internet so it must be true, but I haven't tried it. I have my doubts on that...
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Permalink Reply by Argonut on -
Marketing? =P (ha,ha, sorry Steve K - just scrolled down and saw you exact same response, thought I'd leave mine in anyway because I agree!)
Seriously, whilst no doubt a lot of effort and research goes into these 'top of the line' products and many are exactly what some people need - there's nothing to say that more 'run of the mill' products can't do the same thing.
It's all about what works for you. I'm a recreational rider with my first event (half fling) coming up and am trying different gels atm (don't think I'll be able to do solid food during the race).
When I'm not using the gels (the ones I have atm are about $2.50 a pop) I'll use jelly snakes to top the tank up and as you mention - there's good cost savings to be had. Again, whatever works!
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Permalink Reply by Steve K on
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Regarding gels, in Australia the market seems to be sewn up by one or two brands and their prices reflect this. If buying from overseas it's well worth checking out High5 or another brand which is not available here and adding that on to your order. There are a lot of brands that are just as good and popular in other parts of the world that cost 1/2 as much :)
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Permalink Reply by Romano Gaspardis on -
I came across honey shotz from Capilano Honey, bought a box of 100 for around $20 delivered. I find the gels upset my guts too much, so far these honey shotz work for me and are easier to swollow. Re energy bars i find them too hard to chew while riding, I carb load up a few hours before the ride with pasta and fruit.
For a 24hr event I load up between rides with high carb food lots and of water, and use a couple of honey shotz during the ride... While on the subjuct those electrolite drinks are way too conentrated you can water then down 50/50 or dilute even more. I just use water.
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Permalink Reply by blondie on -
I am a staunch advocate of the good old nutella sandwich (white bread) and Gu - oh! and water in camelbak, gatorade in the bottle - I have tried other things as the boys have tested them but nothing works as well for me... The other thing I love on longer rides is cheese on cracked pepper vitabrits - yum - actually, cheese and promite, love the salt!
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Permalink Reply by Nigel Jefferys on -
Interesting.....honey shotz.....yum! Sounds like I may have to give those a shot (pardon the pun!) I'm with you Blondie....part of my race feed stash are nutella sandwiches. So my race pack has verofit electrolyte drinks, hammer perpeteum (cafe latte with a chocolate gel shot) ride bars, nutella sandwiches and a packet of snakes ....the snakes and ride bar go in the back pockets (ride bar in small mouth size chunks) and the drink cady takes care of the bottles, small sandwich strips are taking during the ride at transition......so now I'm going to mix it up a bit and try out some of the carmens muesli bars I was introduced to....might even make my riding a tad cheaper :-)
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Permalink Reply by Noodle on -
I think the difference between museli bars and sports bars are the way in which they are processed. Sports bars are processed very finely, making them easier to digest and allows the body to get all the 'energy' out of the bar. Unprocessed museli bars still have whole grains in them meaning that it is hard for your body to digest it, with much of the whole grains not being digested at all - it comes out whole at the other end. (No I haven't checked). This means that although museli bars have the same nutritional levels, you likely won't be getting alot of it.
If you are only doing 50's I wouldn't bother too much with bars. You can do it easily on gels. Whole foods also have the added problem in that your body will need to send blood to your stomach to digest the food - taking it away from your muscles when they need it most. I also avoid whole foods is that I find breathing and eating at the same time near impossible!
For me it is a complete liquid diet with an 'up and go' when I get out of bed. A good quality sports drink (not the supermarket variety) in the car on the way and then a gel just before the start. Then Gels every 25 mins or so until the end.
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Permalink Reply by Steve K on
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Noodle good point, and in a similar vein white bread is quite good as a race food apparently (for longer races where real food's required :) ) due to it being preprocessed and easy to digest, and wholegrain not ideal witht the hard-to-digest grains.
I think it's funny how the guidelines for what to eat during a race is in many ways OPPOSITE to what we're told is good for us the rest of the time :))
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Permalink Reply by blondie on
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...and its all sooo personal! I can't drink coke but Sean can easily have one mid way and I can't take Endura of any sort as it affects my tummy big time - we have all spent so long on training rides of 70ks or so working out what suits each of us.
With the supermarket drinks Noodle, for me they work, I have tried other ones (when the boys get all enthusiastic) and I did think Shotz were going to work but I cramped and was knackered on a 60k road ride on that stuff, however I do like it for shorter fun rides...
I am pleased you clarified the muesli bar thing though as sometime I eat those at home i was wondering about that since I dont usually sit at my desk and down a Gu... and I LOVE the 'up and go' before a ride anytime, they are gold!
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Permalink Reply by Nigel Jefferys on
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Interesting point noodle.....maybe if i blend up the muesli bar I'll get more out of it ;-) It certainly is food for thought....but as blondie pointed out its all in the preparation, I too have been on many rides where I've set up a mini transition area and done the 100Km's with all sorts of food/drink/gels/bars to see what clicks with me.....luckily I've never experienced the Gu-Belly! Lucky me!
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