Wanted: Non-sweet energy gels
August 1, 2011 6:15 AM Subscribe
Wanted: Non-sweet energy gels
It’s hot. I sweat. I use electrolyte supplements. For my long runs and bike trips I use energy gels. At the beginning of a run/ride, the sweet taste of Hammer gels or the frosting consistency of Gu is fine. By the end of a run/ride I can barely stomach the slightly less sweet taste of the Mountain Berry Clif Shot Bloks.
Does anyone have a suggestion of a non-sweet energy gel?
It’s hot. I sweat. I use electrolyte supplements. For my long runs and bike trips I use energy gels. At the beginning of a run/ride, the sweet taste of Hammer gels or the frosting consistency of Gu is fine. By the end of a run/ride I can barely stomach the slightly less sweet taste of the Mountain Berry Clif Shot Bloks.
Does anyone have a suggestion of a non-sweet energy gel?
Have you considered something not in a gel form? Energy gels are pretty much concentrated simple-carbs (sugars), so I'm having a hard time imagining how you could have a gel consisting of mostly sugars that's not sweet.
There are a couple varieties of gel out there that are unflavored (Gu and Hammer come to mind), but it's still pretty sweet. Just a bland sweet, and not fruity or chocolatey or whatever.
I was in my local bike shop recently and noticed that Hammer nutrition has chewable tablets of their perpetuem product out now, they come in a little tube that would be just as easy to carry as gels. Those might be worth a try, especially since you're talking about longer runs, as perpetuem is geared more towards longer, endurance type workouts than shorter ones. I've used the perpetuem drink mix for endurance mountain bike events, and it's not really that sweet. That's not to say I don't have other issues with its taste...
posted by zen_spider at 6:35 AM on August 1, 2011
There are a couple varieties of gel out there that are unflavored (Gu and Hammer come to mind), but it's still pretty sweet. Just a bland sweet, and not fruity or chocolatey or whatever.
I was in my local bike shop recently and noticed that Hammer nutrition has chewable tablets of their perpetuem product out now, they come in a little tube that would be just as easy to carry as gels. Those might be worth a try, especially since you're talking about longer runs, as perpetuem is geared more towards longer, endurance type workouts than shorter ones. I've used the perpetuem drink mix for endurance mountain bike events, and it's not really that sweet. That's not to say I don't have other issues with its taste...
posted by zen_spider at 6:35 AM on August 1, 2011
Yeah, GU has a plan gel, and also a vanilla one.
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:38 AM on August 1, 2011
posted by roomthreeseventeen at 6:38 AM on August 1, 2011
Nthing the just plain Gu. My boyfriend swears by it.
posted by sciencegeek at 9:12 AM on August 1, 2011
posted by sciencegeek at 9:12 AM on August 1, 2011
I've started using a mix of mashed potatoes and gravy carried in one of those refillable squeeze tubes used for camping.
The problem is that it's the sugars in the gels that give you that quick energy, the complex carbs take longer to process so you'll have to adjust your eating schedule.
posted by dolface at 11:55 AM on August 1, 2011
The problem is that it's the sugars in the gels that give you that quick energy, the complex carbs take longer to process so you'll have to adjust your eating schedule.
posted by dolface at 11:55 AM on August 1, 2011
The Clif Shot Blox also come in Margarita flavor, which is salty-sweet.
posted by LobsterMitten at 1:08 PM on August 1, 2011
posted by LobsterMitten at 1:08 PM on August 1, 2011
I like Hammer gels, which are fruity but more tangy, and PowerBar which come in an an orange flavour (again not too sweet). PowerBar also have some cola chews which are tasty. I find GU and Cliff way too sugary. Buy a few from your local sports store and try 'em out. Hammer Perpeteum is my drink of choice, because it tastes of virtually nothing, so as zen_spider suggests, you could give the solid tabs a whirl. FWIW I have a sensitive stomach and PowerBar and Hammer treat me fine over multi-hour events.
posted by poissonrouge at 6:54 PM on August 1, 2011
posted by poissonrouge at 6:54 PM on August 1, 2011
Do you want the electrolytes or the carbs?
If you're just after electrolytes, then there are tablets that'll work. Also Nuun and Ultima are both sugar-free drinks and not sweet.
In terms of gels some of the coffee flavors are less sweet than the others.
posted by 26.2 at 10:30 PM on August 1, 2011
If you're just after electrolytes, then there are tablets that'll work. Also Nuun and Ultima are both sugar-free drinks and not sweet.
In terms of gels some of the coffee flavors are less sweet than the others.
posted by 26.2 at 10:30 PM on August 1, 2011
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posted by chinston at 6:27 AM on August 1, 2011