Your Favorite Source of Energy

[CoachLevi]

Do you prefer bars, gels, or sports drinks?

I always use a combination of the three. (Except during mountain bike races, it's a bit hard to eat an energy bar!)

[naidu]

I don't really prefer eating bars because I have braces. If at all I'm hungery I eat energy bars before race but in between I prefer drinking sports drinks.

[Peace_Hope]

I prefer Sports drinks, but I am very specific about my drinks, I do not like the ones with tons of sugar and all that other crap. It needs to be healthy... So there are not that many actual sports drinks that I will just drink.

In fact yesterday I ran at my schools Conference Prelims meet and had one of those Sobe Adrenalin Drinks, but all I did was take a sip, swallow it, then just cool my mouth down with the rest then spit it out, in order to get it in my throat and get my energy levels up, but not injest all that crap.

Let me know what the best sports drinks are for you (ie low in sugar)... I have found one product that I now sell, it is called LiftOff. You can find out more here: https://www.liftoff.com/

[RunningJim]

I have never had the energy gels, I wonder how those work.

[moor2k6]

Energy Gels by themselves are extremely hypertonic (more concentrated than your body fluids), which means they are very slowly absorbed by your body. With all energy gels (e-Gel, GU, PowerGel, Clif Shot, etc.) it is important that you consume adequate amounts of water. Water dilutes the gel and lowers the osmolality of the combined solution, thus increasing the absorption rate. If you consume just the right amount of water, the combined solution will become isotonic (the same concentration as your body fluids) which allows for rapid absorption, hydration and maximum energy delivery

[CoachLevi]

Energy Gels by themselves are extremely hypertonic (more concentrated than your body fluids), which means they are very slowly absorbed by your body. With all energy gels (e-Gel, GU, PowerGel, Clif Shot, etc.) it is important that you consume adequate amounts of water. Water dilutes the gel and lowers the osmolality of the combined solution, thus increasing the absorption rate. If you consume just the right amount of water, the combined solution will become isotonic (the same concentration as your body fluids) which allows for rapid absorption, hydration and maximum energy delivery

Drinking lots of water is even more important if you're eating a Powerbar or something like that.

[CoachLevi]

I have never had the energy gels, I wonder how those work.

They give you 100 simple calories for a quick energy boost. They're also easy to ingest.

[CoachLevi]

Let me know what the best sports drinks are for you (ie low in sugar).

Gatorade is my top choice for most stuff. Also look at Endurox R4 and anything from Hammer Nutrition.

I also like Emer-gen-C but I dont' use that as a sports drink during races.

[Rudy]

When I'm doing long distance, I like to use a combination of GU energy gel and water. As has been mentioned above, it's really important to drink water with it - if you don't, it will be too much of a carbohydrate boost, and you can easily cramp up.

[anuban1976]

voted for sports drinks

[ehankin]

I am a big fan of the Clif Shot Bloks. I had a hard time with the consistency of the gels and these blocks are a gummy-candy-like consistency with the same ingredients as the gels. They are really tasty too. There is one with extra salt and some other specialized types too. I like the Strawberry ones myself. :p

[TenBalance]

The key to optimal body energy is to create the ideal balance of alkaline and acid forming foods. Since our body's pH level is slightly alkaline, our diet and nutrition should also reflect this. In this regard we should never consume more than 20-25% of neutral and acidifying foods, and at least 75% of alkalizing and alkaline foods, such as green vegetables, salads and avocados.

Fresh vegetables, greens and grasses are an excellent anti-yeast and anti-fungal. Green grasses or related green powder products such as barley or wheat grass are some of the lowest-calorie, lowest-sugar and most nutrient-rich foods on earth, and contain high amounts of fiber.

Since our body continually struggles to maintain its ideal pH, our cell system is over-burdened. This is why we have to support these efforts by achieving pH balance. When we achieve pH balance, our body naturally drops to its healthy weight, our food cravings will diminish and our energy levels will increase immensely.

Regards, Ten