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Nutrition

Kevin G.
Kevin G. Sendmail

Claims made by supplement companies: science or propaganda?

posted about 2 years ago | Report

I think the gels are all basically the same. I like the Cliff shots because they have a piece of plastic that attaches the part you rip off the top to the rest of the package, so you don’t have to choose between trying to pick it out of your mouth, then trying to get the stupid little thing back into your pocket, or spitting it out and littering the forest. Nothing slows me down like trying to keep track of a tiny .3 X .5 piece of plastic while rolling down the shoulder of a road at 26 miles per hour with cars and other racers, while trying to hold my line ad stay on the wheel of the bike in front of me. It is no easier to do it while rolling through the forest and dodging rocks, trees and furry creatures while spinning out in the sand and gravel.

Last year on my 100-mile MTB race I tried to use Perpetuem for fuel. It tasted like an orange Julius, which I like, but didn’t have many electrolytes, so I had electrolyte supplements that I was taking. Also, if you mix the Perpetuem thick to supply energy for a longer ride, it isn’t much good for hydration, so I also had a camelback full of water. One also needs to bear in mind that it becomes rancid and nasty after a few hours on a hot day… what a pain that was… I think the Hammer people are just trying to force us to buy every product they make.

I’ve been using Accelorade for my longer road rides this year, and although it tastes much like tang, it does everything; Carbs for energy, electrolytes for cramp prevention, and protein for recovery as you go. Then again, I’ve also read research showing that the protein, complex carbs and all the other stuff we pay extra for in expensive endurance drinks is completely useless for anything but placebo effect, and you can get the same benefit from a $3 container of Gatorade. I like to mix some raw cane sugar, sea salt and a few lemons (for taste and potassium) into a pitcher that I keep in the fridge and fill my bottle from it for shorter rides (cheap, and all-natural).

I can’t recall ever doing a serious ride longer than about 3-hours without having at least some kind of “scientifically formulate” sports drink and some gels and bars with me. I’m thinking about trying to use my homebrew rather than expensive sports drinks, and replacing the gels and bars with bananas and a chicken sandwich cut into thirds and individually wrapped so I can easily put them in and take them out of my jersey pockets (they will get smashed, that is OK). I think I’ll try it out on a long ride this weekend to see if I even notice a difference. Actually, it is a hilly 80-mile club ride, and I’d rather not embarrass myself by bonking out halfway through, but I know who I usually can or cannot keep up with, and so that will be a good gauge of how my nutrition plan is working out.

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  • Morey B.
    Morey B. Sendmail

    There has been some good research on some of this stuff, and other parts that just make sense. Replacing lost electrolytes- well, that's probably a good thing, and having something very easy to digest also make sense. The gels (I personally prefer cliff blocks rather than gels - less gooey and easier to deal with the packaging) offer much needed, easy to digest calories for long rides or runs.

    right after your ride, within 20min ideally, eat a combination of ~70%carb/30% protein to help recovery. Most protein sources (meat, eggs) are difficult to digest, so there is something to be said for these recovery drinks that get the optimal balance into your system quickly.

    I like your natural mix- but lemon season is coming to an end here in AZ.

    posted about 2 years ago

  • Travis P.PRO
    Travis P. Sendmail

    well keep in mind that the majority of name brand supplements are all just a gimmick and highly overpriced! most designer brands say they have like 75+ amazing ingredients in them.....well they do, BUT in such small doses it does nothing for you at all. there really is no "perfect" supplement that does everything you need. if there was it would taste horrible and no one would buy it. your best bet for long mtb rides (im a mtb guy) is a protien shake before with oatmeal and bananna blended in. that will give you the vitamins, protien, complex carbs and calories you need. then also having a drink like gatorade G2 for electrolytes. regular gatorade is kinda high in sugar. and your idea about having chicken sandwiches is a good idea, most supplements are made with synthetic nutrients, which isnt nearly as good as real food. basically im trying to say that stick to simple real foods, not the designer crap that is over priced. example i buy protien powder, but i buy the non designer stuff. if im gonna go for a long ride, i like to mix 2/3 whey and 1/3 cassein protein, whey is fast absorbing and cassein is slow. i also mix oatmeal and wheat germ. then depending on the flavor of the shake, i will mix whatever fruit goes with it. then i will bring 2 pouches of tuna ( i dont mind the taste) a pack of instant oatmeal(i just eat it out of the pouch and wash it down with water LOL) and then a few gel shots for the electrolytes.

    posted about 2 years ago

  • Heather G.
    Heather G. Sendmail

    You know, I spent all of last year experimenting with various gels, chews, drinks, etc. Every single one of them gave me GI issues. Last fall, I was on a relay team for the beach 2 battleship 140.6 triathlon. I had the marathon leg. Of course, as usual, I had crazy GI issues and so I stopped taking in nutrition, and subsequently bonked. Around mile 17, out of desperation, I ate animal crackers. They had a whole spread of food at every rest stop (the perks of 140.6 vs a normal 26.2 marathon). And wouldn't you know, they were the best fuel I've ever had during a marathon? I felt great!

    moral of my long rambling story, I think race nutrition is a finicky thing that varies tremendously from person to person. If something other than the special gus/chews/etc marketed for athletes work for you, go with it . I think for most, it's a matter of convenience. They don't have to think twice about it, when that little packet gives them carbs and electrolytes in one swoop.

    posted about 2 years ago

  • Morey B.
    Morey B. Sendmail

    Animal crackers, I'd guess, are made from highly refined white flour and high fructose corn syrup, with probably minimal fat. Sounds very easy to digest and oddly, probably a pretty good marathon food.

    Which gives me a business idea. How about a box of animal crackers in the shape of only fast animals? Gazelles, pronghorn antelopes, cheetas (good for sprints, not long distances), etc. The box would exclude circus elephants. :)

    posted about 2 years ago

  • Heather G.
    Heather G. Sendmail
    in reply to what Morey B. said:Animal crackers, I'd guess, are made from highly refined white flour and high fructose corn syrup, with probably minimal fat. Sounds very easy to digest and oddly, probably a pretty good marathon food. Which gives me a business idea. How abou... read more

    Make it the right size to fit in my spi-belt and I'll buy it!! ;)

    posted about 2 years ago

  • NicolePRO
    Nicole Sendmail
    in reply to what Morey B. said:Animal crackers, I'd guess, are made from highly refined white flour and high fructose corn syrup, with probably minimal fat. Sounds very easy to digest and oddly, probably a pretty good marathon food. Which gives me a business idea. How abou... read more

    LOL fast animals or little runner people and market as runner people :) It could come in a jazzed up box with runners and get the shoe people to advertise. I see dollars

    posted about 2 years ago

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