Bars, juice, gu, powder

[BAD_S197]

Whats best?

Buddy at work told me to get some gu and a few bars for my ride and maybe a powder to mix with my water bottles.

This begs the real questions..

- which one is best?
- how much time in between consumeing each one to the next?
- can you eat "too much"
- do any of them taste good?

Educate me please..

The manufacturer websites give info but obviously they are biased toward their product..

or should I just get a couple different kinds and see which one I like or works best? Or is there some to avoid?

Sorry, but give me the option of a snickers or a health bar and it's snickers everytime... until the idea of the ride saturday got into me.. now its "hand me the energy bar"

[allison]

You've definitely gotta find out for yourself what works. Where are you located, again?

If you can hit up something like Performance and then The Path you'd have a pretty good stash of stuff to try.

I'm partial to Hammer Gel in a flask (I like Tropical, with caffeine), and Go Grape Cytomax in bottles. Though, The taste is really starting to taste like nothing to me lately, so I'm thinking I need to try another flavor.

To save $$ we've been buying the boxes of multi-flavor Clif Bars from Costco, and also a box of Fruit Leathers.

Additionally, I love the Margarita flavored Clif Bloks.

You can get Hammer Gel, marg Bloks, and a few trial sizes of different mixes (like HEED) at the Path. Performance will have Clif Shots, Clif Bloks (not marg.), Powerbars, Clif Bars, and Gu. I also really like the Tri-Berry Gu. Personally, while I don't mind the flavor of Clif Shots, my mouth *always* gets torn up from the wrapper on each side.

Also, REI will have a selection of trial flavors, larger containers, etc. of powders, as well as specialty Clif Bar flavors, Bloks, and different gels.

And never underestimate the power of PB&J. I like to add raisins to mine. Another good concoction is my personal made trail mix. At the grocery store I buy dry unsalted peanuts, yogurt covered raisins, sunflower seeds (without the shell), and dried cranberries as well as the cherries and goldens/grapes. I mix up about half a cup of peanuts, little less of the sunflower seeds (they all fall to the bottom of the ziploc bag anyway and aren't eaten until the last handful), and then just the pre-packaged baggie of the other ingredients. Leave air in the ziploc, mix, then dump some in a smaller bag. Keep it close to your bladder so it stays a bit colder

[J_Sims]

Well what you are going to get here wil typically be bias as well... Only each of us will tell you our experiences and I know that most have differant experiences and taste.

Personally I typically carry Clif Cranberry, apple cherry bars and banana Gu. If it is a long day with a camelback full of water I may add a bottle of Cytomax to the mix.... I have tied many bars and these are the ones that best appeal to my tastes. I typically will eat one on the way to a ride and when ever I am hungry during. Gu for me is instant energy and not to be abused. They pickyou up but can drop you off kind of hard sometimes...

Bottom line... if you are out for a long ride suppliment your supplments with real food... your body will love you for it

[Jordansrealm]

Honestly, I have found that this is a "to each his/her own" kinda thing. What tastes good to you may not to me. What works for you may not for me. There is no best product and no worst. I will tell you what I like and so will the rest but reality is you are going to have to try them out for yourself and see what you think is best. Whatever you do, dont replace a good solid diet and proper hydrating for energy supplements.

For energy on average rides I enjoy Clif Blocks. They taste better than any type of gu to me actually kinda like gummy bears and they come in good flavors.

For snack bars I prefer Clif Bars the Peanut Butter Crunch one is da bomb.

For longer rides I have used Cytomax in a water bottle diluted and it seems to work well but I still prefer water most of the time.

I recently added Whey Protein Shakes to my diet because I have cranked up other cross training exercises that I do and needed more protein.

I do like the Clif Bar Builders Protein Bars for after my ride to put some protein back into my body.

It also really depends on what your goals are with your fitness. For me I was trying to dump 50lbs and then start gaining muscle. Depending on what your goals are you may need to completely adjust your food intake.

Good luck and remember nothing replaces a good diet. (and an occasional beer)

Jordan

[Evil Chocula]

I eat Clif Bars for energy, and I carry these "Stage 2" Powerbar gel packs to keep from cramping/dehydrating/dying in this heat. I buy them at Ralphs, in the health food section, highly recommended.

[jeffj]

Everybodies gut is different.

I have been liking the Clif-Blocks lately. Just remember to take a few healthy pulls from the Camelbak after eating them.

GU reminds me of that paste they use in elementary schools. Tastes about the same too IMHO, but that's just me.

[allison]

Originally Posted by Evil Chocula

I eat Clif Bars for energy, and I carry these "Stage 2" Powerbar gel packs to keep from cramping/dehydrating/dying in this heat. I buy them at Ralphs, in the health food section, highly recommended.

Just don't get your stuff at the grocery store unless you're wealthy or it's on sale

[xhuskr]

like everyone else says...it's a personal thing......for me;
*Gatorade in the Camelback (I use the powder and combing Orange and Lemon-Lime with enough water to take the sweetness factor out). I usually fill it way too much just in case it's hotter or I'm out longer than planned.
*Often a bottle on the bike of Accelerade
*Cliff Bars (Banana Nut bread for am and Peanut Butter Crunch for afternoon as well as one in the Cambelback)
*Gu packets for a little pick me up
*Trail mix for longer rides
*A sandwich for long rides with lots of people

For most rides, its just the liquid and Gu packs...but having some extra food in the pack is worth it. I'm trying the Shot Bloks, but have not really noticed much from them......yet.....same for the Jelly Belly energy beans.

As Allison said....DO NOT buy at grocery store unless on sale. TJ's has Clif Bars for .99 all the time. Enjoy

[Evil Chocula]

Originally Posted by allison

Just don't get your stuff at the grocery store unless you're wealthy or it's on sale

Cliff Bars- $.99 everyday at Trader Joes!

I should buy those gel packs somewhere else though...

[Letyrides]

Originally Posted by allison

And never underestimate the power of PB&J. I like to add raisins to mine. Another good concoction is my personal made trail mix. At the grocery store I buy dry unsalted peanuts, yogurt covered raisins, sunflower seeds (without the shell), and dried cranberries as well as the cherries and goldens/grapes. I mix up about half a cup of peanuts, little less of the sunflower seeds (they all fall to the bottom of the ziploc bag anyway and aren't eaten until the last handful), and then just the pre-packaged baggie of the other ingredients. Leave air in the ziploc, mix, then dump some in a smaller bag. Keep it close to your bladder so it stays a bit colder

Sounds yummy. I don't know why I never thought of that. It's so simple. Make your own with the stuff you like! Sometimes I wonder about myself. I wish Henry's would just let me mix it all in one bag.

[sdyeti]

Liquids: Camelbak is making these new tabs to put in your water called "Elixir". Not sweet (I don't like the sweet drinks) but a little bubbly. And, though they work great, they are kind of expensive. I could drink it while out on a long run and it didn't screw up my stomach, so I think it'd be fine for a ride.

Other than that, I prefer to eat my calories instead of drink them. I have heard too many bad things about recovery drinks (just like that whole "coffee good/coffee bad" debate that we all know and love).


Solids: Now this is where you need to experiment. I know you don't have a lot of time before your ride, but maybe even this week, go on a couple rides and take a variety of things with you. You really won't know until you try.

My faves: Cran-Razz Clif Bloks, Honey Stingers (they just taste good), Hammergel (GU makes me hurt in the tummy), Cherry Almond Clif bars, PB & J...

[Wrecker]

Before buying a case or so of something, try it out. I know so many people that love Cliff bars, but when I ride, they tend to sit in my stomach like a rock.

For real food, I LOVE PB&J, Odwalla, dried fruit, or even Snickers marathon bars.

Hammer has a bunch of great products that I would swear by. Their gel is great, no flying high and no slamming crash. My faves are apple (tastes like apple pie filling), and rasberry (tastes like the filling of a rasberry donut). Great stuff to add to the water bottle, too.

After rides, it's important to get nutrition too--replenish the glycogen stores, muscle breakdown, blah blah blah. Basic chocolate milk is good for that. However, riding on the trails, you don't always get good milk left in the car. There are plenty of things you can purchase as recovery drinks.

It is very much a "to each his own" kind of thing. Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet.

[BAD_S197]

I'm going to hit TJ's tonight as well as Performance (they are both very close) and Performance is open still when I get home.

I'll pick up a couple diff ones and see whats good.

I didn't want to get something that tasted like crap or gave me a tummy ache.

As far as what would... I'm not sure.. as I've been known to walk in to work and have a thing of powdered donuts and a couple cokes for breakfast or icecream for breakfast.

The bag of nuts is also a good idea.. and pbj as well.

[ericfoltz]

I'm a Gu and Gatorade person. Gu every 45 min. Gatorade in the Camelback. On longer rides (4+ hours) I may Gu every 30-40 min.

I usually have powerbars or clif bars with me on long rides, but I almost never eat them. I have them more for emergencies.

[DeeZee]

[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]I have tried a lot of different things. [/FONT][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][/SIZE]
[SIZE=3][FONT=Times New Roman]Here is what I have learned.[/FONT][/SIZE]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]H20 and food go hand in hand. Food gives you energy but also you need to hydrate. I have seen so many times that riders will be dehydrated and start sucking down energy gels like they are going out of style.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Most energy drinks and gels contain simple sugars and not complex carbs. Your body will burn through a Gu in about 15 min (average). Also simple sugars can irritate your stomach.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]No need for special bars. As posted a pbj, turkey sand, Fig or other flavor Newton’s, Nutigrain bars, pretzels etc… all do the same thing. I really like the packaged peanut butter crackers that are super cheap. However if you like the bars get them. I do from time to time.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Do most of your eating before the ride. The day before and the day of your ride. For example depending on how long I ride tonight I may not eat anything at all and just drink water. For longer rides over three hours I try to also eat some protein.[/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT]
[FONT=Times New Roman][SIZE=3]Hope this helps![/SIZE][/FONT]

[BrewMaster]

Originally Posted by Wrecker

For real food, I LOVE PB&J, Odwalla, dried fruit, or even Snickers marathon bars.

PB&J is like rocket fuel. I love it.

I also eat Nature Valley trail mix bars. A big box at Costco is cheap. They keep me going; plenty of carbs and protein.

I like Cytomax. If you find a flavor you like, Amazon.com has the 4.5 lb can of powder the cheapest I have seen ($28, free shipping). I liked Tropical and am now really diggin' Cool Citrus. I put about 3 scoops in my 70 oz Camelbak, which is less than the recommended amount on the box, but it works for me.

As others have said, just find out what works for you and go with it.

Originally Posted by BAD_S197

As far as what would... I'm not sure.. as I've been known to walk in to work and have a thing of powdered donuts and a couple cokes for breakfast or icecream for breakfast.

Not quite the breakfast of champions I seem to remember from the Wheaties commercials.

[OMR]

I was surprised at the amount of food consummed prior to racing:

This is what chef Gisbert Kunz typically feeds Tour de France riders. The 65-year-old Kunz prepares all the meals for the Switzerland-based Phonak cycling team:

Breakfast
8.8 ounces (dry measure) rice or pasta
4 ounces muesli
4.4 ounce carton of yogurt or fromage blanc
1 to 2 slices whole grain bread
Homemade marmalade
Omelet made with 3 egg whites and one yolk (optional)
1 to 2 slices ham and/or cheese
Freshly squeezed orange juice
Coffee

Feed bags:
4 cakes or bars (including rice cakes, almond cookies, and dried fruit bars)
Cut-up fruit: three chunks of pineapple, banana cut in three pieces, quartered apple
2 or 3 finger sandwiches filled with ham and cheese or preserves or chicken salad
3 or 4 protein bars

One .15 liter mini-can of Coke
Snack ( in hotel )
Small bowl rice pudding, served tepid
Sliced fruit

Dinner
1 to 2 slices prosciutto or other cured ham
8.8 ounces (dry measure) pasta with fresh tomato sauce
8.8 ounces beef tenderloin
Ratatouille (eggplant, zucchini, tomato stew)
Yogurt
Fresh fruit
Slice of cake (optional)
Water
Glass of beer, sometimes mixed with lemon soda or lemonade (optional)
Glass of wine (rarely)

Even with all this food, you don't see many overweight riders in the tour... where they burn up to 10,000 calories on a demanding day. You know, sorta like Dean does on his rides.... (he's gone right now and will never see this) he he he

OMR

[J_Sims]

Originally Posted by mtber3737

I was surprised at the amount of food consummed prior to racing:

This is what chef Gisbert Kunz typically feeds Tour de France riders. The 65-year-old Kunz prepares all the meals for the Switzerland-based Phonak cycling team:



8.8 ounces beef tenderloin

Glass of beer,


OMR

[Wrecker]

How long do I have to ride to eat nothing but cake and ice cream? okay, okay, maybe some protein--gouda or brie (heeheeh)