(Part 2) Best sports endurance & energy gels according to redditors
We found 98 Reddit comments discussing the best sports endurance & energy gels. We ranked the 45 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the products ranked 21-40. You can also go back to the previous section.
I have a specific playlist of songs. I always start with 1 specific song, and then turn on shuffle. I cannot skip songs once this playlist starts. If I do, I will have a bad game.
Pre-game meal options are as follows and cannot deviate:
Once I have eaten one of these meals, I do not eat again until the game starts. I also drink a Monster Rehab (tea + lemonade) on the drive to the game. Every game.
If I'm playing back to back games, I have to bring my other jersey onto the bench, but I do not put it on there. I always carry it back to the locker room. I also eat a energy goo between games (usually one of these specifically).
I have multiple sets of compression clothing. Each set is designated for specific league skill levels. Clothing is allowed to play down a division, but never up.
Hydration belt with pouch. Bottles for carrying water during long runs, and the pouch is big enough to fit 4 of those giant-but-easy-to-swallow SiS gels for marathon race day.
Speaking of gels, the SiS variety 6- pack. If you hate the thicker, more colloidal gels, these are a huge step up. And of course it's important to experiment with different types regardless because different things work better for different people.
These sunglasses which are affordable, light, and will last years unless you step on them.
Balega socks. Quality running socks are one of life's everyday luxuries. Especially nice to have the mental boost for long runs and tough workouts.
>NOT these Soffe shorts. Basically see-through, which means you have to wear underwear, which is an extra layer to get sweaty, which defeats the purpose of the (semi-useless) built-in liner. ;-)
192 packets of GU (enough for an entire maxi-marathon) for only $220!
Oh no I forgot to take the spoke reflectors off. And they aren't uniform. Noooooo
Anyway I'm pretty slow but I've seen some improvement. Todays stats: 2h 43m. 40.3 miles. Avg Speed 14.8 mph. I live in a very hilly city I might add but I still feel like 14.8 is slow.
I would love some input on my diet before/during todays ride.
Breakfast was a packet of instant oatmeal. Lunch was a caesar salad with 4-5ish ounces of cubed ham. Then probably 300 calories of just random snacks.
During the ride:
1/5 starsbut it was unseasonably hot and I let this one warm up too much.)After I got home I still had legs enough to chase my little ones around for a good 15 minutes but that's pretty much just a cool down. I never felt hungry but I have been made very afraid of the bonk just from trying to learn. Is this too much? Too little? Is this a good pace of calories to get to 100 miles? I don't really have a goal time.... so I'll just throw out 7 hours.
Also does anyone have any good recipies for food to eat during the ride? I hate cooking so it has to be dead simple for me to cook, but I would appreciate reading fancy recipes if someone would like to share.
Thanks!
Edit: Also congrats to Greg LeMond.
I would absolutely not recommend this! Preworkout formulas tend to skirt the line of FDA regulations and have a tendency to get banned, reformulated, sold, banned, rinse, repeat. I wouldn't consider them healthy in general, but they are NOT meant for cardiovascular activity. Don't get me wrong. Creatine, great. BCAAs, great. Caffeine, great. Preworkout, too risky to be worthwhile; and definitely not for use in a race environment. If you're worried about your heart not being able to power you through a race, don't take stimulants. Run more.
I've had good luck with stuff like this: https://www.amazon.com/GU-Energy-Labs-Assorted-Double-Serving/dp/B06XCLGB9G
Take a caffeine pill or two before a race, and keep yourself going with these. In a beast I tend to eat one of those every 15-20 minutes.
look out for the Vanilla and the Chocolate. that's what we use and they're both caffeine free - got a box recently on amazon
I found this on Amazon, not sure how long it would keep in a first aid kit, though.
Transcend 15g Orange Glucose Gels in 3-Packs (1) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06WLNZJS5/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_F6RLDb9KED8K8
My wife likes the caramel GU: https://smile.amazon.com/GU-Original-Nutrition-Energy-Caramel/dp/B00DP6ZWWC
I prefer Honey stinger: https://smile.amazon.com/Honey-Stinger-Organic-Waffle-Packaging/dp/B004F1LNDI
Transcend 15g Glucose Gel - Orange & Strawberry Assortment (12) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W2M85SP/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_c_api_TtZSAb1GCG7TM
I like the Shot Bloks which are easily digestible and more palatable than the gels (they're like a gummi candy). They are said to be soy-free.
Easy to carry, no mess, precisely measured, no added liquids required.
I’ve started to do this also. Experimenting with this brand. So far I’m loving it.
ORB Smooth Energy Complex –... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYEBZUP?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I find that I can survive on gels for up to 50K although I still try to consume a bit of fats and protein such as peanut butter or something like Bounce energy ball. For 50+ mile distances I added more other food but I still had upset stomach and some nausea at the end. My stomach is picky and I've just recently found out I have gluten sensitivity. Gels that I tolerate the best in ultras are Huma gels. I also recommend Clif Energy Food - this stuff is fairly heavy to carry around but works well in drop bags.
Good luck with your 100K!
You make some really good points. I have heard from a few people that they were so "out of it" during labor it was like they were intoxicated. I'm totally okay with them treating me like a passive object if I am actually fading in and out of consciousness!
With the food thing, I think I will bring a combination of "real" food and things like running gels and gatorade. I won't try to force myself to eat any granola bars if I don't feel like it, but I can probably stomach something like this even if I can barely breathe.
I’m in the same boat, T1D and Celiac and noticed the same slow recovery from lows. As mentioned, glucose tabs work well. I use glucose gels more than tabs because it’s even easier to get down. This brand is pretty good: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019R42GWY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_HpyFDb6REKPPJ
I'm not super experienced (1 halfsy done, 1 in 3 weeks) but in my experience I really like the Clif energy shots (variety pack: https://www.amazon.com/Clif-Shot-Energy-Variety-Sampler/dp/B017A92YTS/) and the Honey Stinger Gold (https://www.amazon.com/Honey-Stinger-Classic-Energy-Nutrition/dp/B0010TGK18/). I've done the gummies before but they take forever to chew and they seem to get stuck in my teeth, which makes it harder to breathe.
Maybe you're a lot faster than me (shooting for 2:20:00) but I use one gel around 5 miles, 8 miles, and 11 miles. That's about one every 30 minutes starting almost an hour in. I would say to start using them on training runs ASAP to see how your body reacts to them. I've also heard that they work better if you don't have an empty stomach before taking the first one, so maybe eat something light a little bit before you start out so you're not running on an empty stomach.
As mentioned elsewhere, nutrition is very personal. What fuels one athlete may cause another some serious digestive issues. That said, Ive had some luck with these carb chews on my long rides/runs. I plan on taping a few to my top tube on my HIM. The packaging is perforated so you give a good pull to the top and you're good to go.
Try this and a cup of water
CLIF SHOT - Energy Gel -... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007HB9F74?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
I cannot imagine running with a bagel and cream cheese in my stomach :)
I pop a tums and then do my morning runs (5.1 miles) fasted. I then do a shot of apple cider vinegar and eat my breakfast shake. I think the ACV is good for replacing the stomach acid I just eliminated via the tums so that I can still properly digest my breakfast and get as much nutrition out of it as possible.
On my long runs (so far up to 10-14 miles) I started experimenting with these gels around half way. They did give me a little heartburn, but I also carry my trusty pocket-tums for that. I'm going to keep trying other gels to try and find one that doesn't induce heartburn.
Also, I used to take Prilosec before all the studies showing the myriad of detrimental health effects of PPIs (proton pump inhibitors). Now, I can manage my heartburn with just one tums before any physical activity... if I watch what I eat. For the days I know I'll be bad, I take a Ranitidine on an empty stomach. It's a H2 blocker, so it might not be as bad as a PPI since it blocks only ~60% of stomach acid, rather than the 90% of Prilosec (i.e less effective but maybe less harmful due to the lowered effectiveness is my hypothesis).
I've been liking these lately. They taste great and don't coat the inside of your mouth with slime. Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews, Pink Lemonade, 1.8 Ounce (Pack of 12) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054RMBT2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_sCaWzbBVM5NXV