GUs, Gels or beans - any suggestions?

[hungrygreenhippo]

I figured I'd revive this old thread since there's a lot of good info.

I remembered reading that gels should be taken with water...

You need to always take a gel (regardless of brand) with water (NOT a sports drink), so that the electrolytes are carried to your small intestine which is where they are absorbed...otherwise they will sit in your stomach until you "purge" them.

At a high level, the gels are hypertonic (more concentrated than your body fluids) which slows absorbtion. If you take it with water, the concentration gets closer to your body fluid composition, which speeds absorption. Drinking an electrolyte replacement drink with your gel (instead of water) will not properly dilute the gel, which slows the absorption rate. This can also lead to stomach irritation and a dehydrating effect as your cellular fluids are drawn upon to dilute the gel.

But what about energy chews? Specifically I'm wondering about the new GU Chomps, because the packaging reads "hydrate along the way" which is a little vague. On the other hand Clif Shot Bloks state "always follow consumption with water" which is a much clearer instruction.

I know every person is different so I'm going to test out the GU Chomps without water sometime this weekend. But I was just wondering if anyone out there has any information to share. Also please let me know if there are other brands of energy chews (preferably with caffeine) that can be taken without water. I searched through the offerings at REI this morning and the GU Chomps looked the most promising but I'm open to other suggestions. Luckily I haven't had any problems with any of the gels or chews I've tried so far. GU mint chocolate is my favorite.

 

[laughinplace199]

What a great thread! I use vanilla Gu on long runs and can tolerate it well enough, but I was just recently thinking of trying something else. Now I have lots of things to look into. It would be great to find something a little more appealing than Gu. Those Sharkies sound like fun.

 

[Steffwalks]

My son-in-law uses honey packets. You know just like the ones you pick up at KFC to use on your biscuits. He says they are great and learned to use them during his military career.

I have discovered "enlyten". They are electrolyte strips that dissolve. They don't have much sugar, but I have found that carrying Jolly Ranchers works great! It works way better for me in hot humid conditions than the big spike of sugar does.

I also use "Crank" efuel gels. I really like those too. I can't use a whole pack of gel at once (of any kind ) So I have a gel flask so that I can get just a bit at each fuel station and wash it down with water.

 

[hungrygreenhippo]

I remembered reading that gels should be taken with water... But what about energy chews? Specifically I'm wondering about the new GU Chomps, because the packaging reads "hydrate along the way" which is a little vague. On the other hand Clif Shot Bloks state "always follow consumption with water" which is a much clearer instruction.

I answered my own question. I tried the strawberry Chomps over the weekend and didn't have any problem tolerating them without water. I also noticed a marked difference in my performance. So for GU Chomps.

 

[laxdef69]

I answered my own question. I tried the strawberry Chomps over the weekend and didn't have any problem tolerating them without water. I also noticed a marked difference in my performance. So for GU Chomps.

Link below from GU for using the chomps:

http://www.guenergy.com/products/gu-chomps/how-to-gu-chomps

Basically, you should take in 20-30 Oz of water every hour. Without the water to carry the "stuff" through your intestinal wall...you aren't getting any benefit, unless you just like the taste! In fact, I normally START with 24-30 OZ of water in my system to help carry the first supplement through...that way I already have the first hours requirement in me...which is probably the best place to carry water anyway!

On a side note, Connie NAILED it with Crank Sports E-Fuel gels and drinks...by far my favorite, I've never bonked using them, but have bonked on every other supplement that I've tried, including GU, Powerbar, Hammer, etc.

SO, I guess I'm going to find enlyten strips now, too...thanks Connie!

 

[JimB.]

I use chocolate Accel Gels. They are about 80% carbs & 20% protein (which theoretically aids in more rapid carb uptake). They also have some caffeine in them which OCCASIONALLY I feel a wee bit of a buzz on. They taste like Tootsie Rolls in a pouch. It's the only flavor I have found that I can tolerate.

I DO need water with them. Heck, I'm sure I DO need water WITHOUT them, so no big deal there..............

I have not had any difficulty with the HFCS. I actually read an article not too long ago that basically stated there was no structural/chemical difference between that and "regular" sugar. The difficulty, if any, is with the manner in which it is produced (some different chemicals used than in refining sugar). But it does not seem to bother me, & I DO have a bit of a "glass stomach" when it come s to food.

I have tried a lot of different supplements (but not all.........). Heck, once I even tried a Hershey's chocolate bar. That was a messy mistake.



I almost forgot - -- When I do not want an entire gel, I DO use Cherry SportBeans. I just tuck a couple in my cheek and suck on them. Taste pretty good & easy to use.

 

[lourodrigis]

I love Powerbar Gels the best. The consistency is more liquidy so they are easier to swallow in warm or cold temps. The packages are also easier to open, even when wet.

I have used Clif Shots but their consistency is very thick, almost chewy (Chocolate) and are tough to swallow. In the winter they are extremely tough to swallow. The packages are also difficult to open. If your hands get wet from sweat they become almost impossible to open.

I have used Shot Bloks and Sport Beans for training runs but have a hard time using them for races because they are too chewy and make it hard to breath.

 

[smileyk8]

I used clif shot bloks for the half and full marathon this year. Found them fine, if cut in half, but then they were a bit sticky. However... i discovered a much better alternative at the boston expo- powerbar ride shots. The cola flavour in particular is really nice and they have a much less chewy texture. I haven't tested them out on really long runs, but they haven't hurt my stomach as sports beans did so for them!

 

[laughinplace199]

I used clif shot bloks for the half and full marathon this year. Found them fine, if cut in half, but then they were a bit sticky. However... i discovered a much better alternative at the boston expo- powerbar ride shots. The cola flavour in particular is really nice and they have a much less chewy texture. I haven't tested them out on really long runs, but they haven't hurt my stomach as sports beans did so for them!

This sounds great. I'm going to have to look for it. I love anything cola flavored and I'm really getting sick of vanilla Gu.

 

[timmac]

So what does everyone suggest as far as Gu, Gel, beans etc? Now that I am starting to do long runs 10 miles and over I think I need to start using something besides a cup of coffee before the run and half gatorade/half water on the run.

I'm going to offer a suggestion that seems contrary to what just about everyone else has suggested, but here goes anyway...

For one or two of your run, try taking some Gu/etc once or twice. Try to use exactly the same thing that is going to be offered at the race you're training for. This will get you used to it, and determine ahead of time if it's going to be a problem for you (upset stomach, etc)

Other than that, don't use anything on your training runs, besides water and gatorade (more of the former, less of the latter). The theory here is that you want to train your body to become more efficient at burning fat reserves rather than depending solely on glycogen stores and blood sugar. This will help you push past the "wall" on race day, when you do have the Gu, etc, at your disposal.

Though I talk as though I know what I'm saying, I'm really only regurgitating things I've heard, and that have worked okay for me, your mileage may vary. (pardon the pun)

 

[syko]

My friend trains with only one bottle of plain water......for 26 miles, for excatly the same reasons you said Timmic.
He was surprised at how much I drunk during training, and I thought he was nuts for having so little!!!!

I actually train at race day speed, but I do take a lot less shots on a traing day as to a race, but as i'm in 100 heat (heat index included) I need to have my eleco drink. I also use fizzy water rathen than still.....my DH can't understand it but I find I nedd to drink less to stop being thirsty.

 

[timmac]

I bought the gel, but never tried it as it seems so unappealing

Wait until you're a few miles from the end of a really long race. The taste of the gel will be the least of your concerns, and possibly even a welcome (if temporary) diversion from the discomfort in your legs

I have a QUESTION for all...I have been using beans/shots without caffeine. But it looks like some have shots of caffeine. Any opinion on whether to get caffeine or caffeine free?

Strictly opinion here, but I'd say it depends also on your caffeine intake normally. If you're normally a several-cup-a-day coffee drinker, I'd say get the caffeine. If you usually don't drink much caffeine, I'd say avoid them.

Personally, I drink very little caffeine. I'll never buy caffeinated gels/shots/beans, but if they're offered on the race course, I'll usually take them.

 

[MichelleB]

From a newbie....our first 13k is in October....is the water/etc. that they have at the stops sufficient? I hate the idea of carrying stuff with me.

 

[timmac]

From a newbie....our first 13k is in October....is the water/etc. that they have at the stops sufficient? I hate the idea of carrying stuff with me.

Different people do different things, of course, but just in my own opinion, you'll be fine.

-Tim