Dark Chocolate VRS A Banana for Pre-work out?

Pocket__Cthulhu

Hey guys

I was in the doctor's office the other day skimming through a shape magazine, and there was a little blurb about athletes who ate a bar of dark (70% cocoa or higher IIRC) chocolate and how they performed better during their runs. Now, I'd love an excuse to eat chocolate, but I'm skeptical. Does anyone do this? Has it helped, or is it not any different than eating a banana with your coffee before hitting the gym?

StealthHealth

"Dark chocolate" covers a wide range of chocolates - probably anything from about 30% cocoa solids to 90+% and each of them will have different fat and carb contents.

I mention this because the biggest impact on performance (discounting any placebo or psychological effects) is likely to be from the carbs. With an amount that gives a similar carb load, I wouldn't expect a banana and coffee, to be any different than chocolate.

My own experience with pre-exercise fuel is that it makes little to no difference in performance (although there are many that sensitive to pre-work out fueling) except in very long runs (which I don't do any of these days).

Account for the cals and give it a go.

joburnolt

Eating a bar of chocolate is just a different way to replenish your energy stores. When you run you use carbs for fuel, so really anything with carbs that doesn't have a lot of bad fats can be an option.

joburnolt

I'd like to add to that actually. There is a difference between simple and complex carbohydrates. Simple carbs are broken down much more quickly, so they are more available to be used for energy right off the bat. Whereas complex carbs such as oatmeal, takes longer for your digestive system to process and aren't as immediately available.

Dano74

Pocket__Cthulhu wrote: »

Hey guys

I was in the doctor's office the other day skimming through a shape magazine, and there was a little blurb about athletes who ate a bar of dark (70% cocoa or higher IIRC) chocolate and how they performed better during their runs. Now, I'd love an excuse to eat chocolate, but I'm skeptical. Does anyone do this? Has it helped, or is it not any different than eating a banana with your coffee before hitting the gym?

Keep in mind these magazines are very sensational. IE- "Eat all the chocolate and send your workout into overdrive for destination Sexyville!"

Also, did the blurb define HOW MUCH better the chocolate eating athletes workouts were? Often in these studies we're talking small, small, small percentages.

If you want chocolate... simply fit chocolate into your calories and eat chocolate. Makes life simple and a "diet" sustainable.

Happy chocolateering.

psuLemon

Unless you are running for hours, it's won't really matter. Pending you are very low carb, then you should have adequate glycogen stores to get you through your runs. But if want something, look for something with dextrose and/or maltodextrin. They are the fastest acting carbs and will replenish glycogen the quickest.. think gummy bears/pixie sticks.

Pocket__Cthulhu

I had a feeling that it might just be secretly sponsored by mars chocolate, and that it might not make a difference. Hey, never hurts to ask because I never would have thought of pixie sticks.

Although, I'm not low carb at all, so I think I'll stick to my bananas. Thank you all.

Sweet_Heresy

Women's health magazines are the devil, lol. Take any information they provide with a grain of salt, imo