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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??

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Permalink Reply by Noodle on October 7, 2011 at 9:18

True, I suppose it is all in what your tummy can handle. I think the Gels are pretty hard on you especially if you don't drink enough water to dilute it. I have a lead stomach so not much bothers me... although blondie, my other half has had problems with endura also - but more from the other end... I think it is the magnesium that causes the sensativities.... which they don't add to staminade or gatorade.

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Permalink Reply by Milto on October 7, 2011 at 9:30

I certainly believe that there is alot of marketing in the sports nutrition market. I am also a big believer in variety. I think only eating one source of energy is not always the best way to go.

I am a big believer in low GI foods pre event. I like oats but pasta is great. Also some fruit and sandwiches.

I can only stomach 2 gels for a 100km event but I am always amazed by people who down them like crazy or have them as the only energy source. I also like to try and get a banana or two down but you need a bit of fire trail for that. I also like the powerbar chews that look like strawberry and creams, very easy to get to and good to have a pack over half an hour with a handful every 5 minutes.

I also am a big fan of the carmans bars with the dark chocolate on the bottom. But not in the jersey pocket where they melt.

Drinks really depend on the sodium content. I have some gatorade endurance powder that I have used that has almost double the sodium of the supermarket variety. I have gone back to the supermarket concentration and usually have 2 bottles of slightly weakened drinks and water on my back.

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Permalink Reply by Christopher Giuliano on October 7, 2011 at 10:41

My biggest problem is trying to eat and breathe hard at the same time. I would prefer not to have to use gels, but even the softer, finer-grained chocolate coated bars feel like I'm eating dry Weet-Bix. Gus go down easily.

Staminade is my drink of choice as it has magnesium.

Yeah Milto, the pre-mixed Gatorade is weaker because it is SUPPOSED to be consumed by people exerting themselves physically, but instead most of the consumption is by people who don't really need it, or didn't exert themselves enough. So the salt levels are reduced.