Energy Gels and Alternatives

schmttyschmttybngbng
schmttyschmttybngbng Posts: 2 Member
edited December 15 in Food and Nutrition
Hi all,
I’m gearing up to run my third marathon and I’m looking for some advice or suggestions on how to take in calories mid race. I’ve previously used Gu gels with mixed results. I definitely love a little caffeine hit and a sugar high but struggle with feeling like my stomach is digesting nothing. On shorter runs I’ve taken pouches of puréed apple but find the packaging bulky and difficult to carry. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Replies

  • Runaroundafieldx2
    Runaroundafieldx2 Posts: 233 Member
    Dried fruit, I use mango quite often.

    I take an iso-energy drink which gives me the caffeine and electrolytes
  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    When you say your stomach feels like it is digesting nothing, does that mean you're feeling gastic distress? Like they're sitting in your stomach?

    If you do well with fruit, you might want to try something like dates or dried apricots (but be careful because some people find the fiber in dried fruit is too much during a run). You'd get the sugar from the fruit without the packaging worries of the pureed apple.
  • schmttyschmttybngbng
    schmttyschmttybngbng Posts: 2 Member

    janejellyroll wrote: »
    When you say your stomach feels like it is digesting nothing, does that mean you're feeling gastic distress? Like they're sitting in your stomach?

    It’s more like an uncomfortable hollowness if that makes any sense?

    I’m a little cautious of dried fruit but maybe if I alternated between a gel and some dried mango or something... 🤷🏻‍♀️

  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    you can do a sports drink with caffiene. gu makes one. i'm sure other brands do as well.
    some people do maple syrup
    gummy bears
    chomps-like gummy bear gu's
    jelly beans and sports beans
    peanut butter
    espresso beans
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    I think you're just going to have to try some different things and see what you do and don't like.

    Try different brands.
    Try different textures/consistencies (gels vs blocks vs beans vs waffles vs...).
    Try regular candy/snacks (rice crispy treats, gummy bears, etc).

    Apple sauce might be an option, too.
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    schmttyschmttybngbng wrote: »
    Hi all,
    I’m gearing up to run my third marathon and I’m looking for some advice or suggestions on how to take in calories mid race. I’ve previously used Gu gels with mixed results. I definitely love a little caffeine hit and a sugar high but struggle with feeling like my stomach is digesting nothing. On shorter runs I’ve taken pouches of puréed apple but find the packaging bulky and difficult to carry. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

    Have you tried chew-type ones instead of liquid/gel?
    My go to is fruit snacks (FYI- Betty Crocker's handles sitting in extreme temperatures better than Kellog's) with separate electrolyte & caffeine tablets (I hate paying $2+ per serving because the company pre-added salts and caffeine). (If I were willing to pay more $$$ - which I would probably be willing to do for hot weather marathon training which required more electrolyte consumption): I do like the Clif Shot Bloks & jelly belly beans (they make a version with electrolytes and caffeine).
  • ritzvin
    ritzvin Posts: 2,860 Member
    If possible, I would personally avoid fruit for a marathon due to the fiber (inevitable bathroom breaks w/in 26 miles) and stick to the gelatinized starch/sugar syrup type food products (sports gel/chew/chomp/etc, fruit snacks, gummy bears, ...)
  • FL_Hiker
    FL_Hiker Posts: 919 Member
    Have you tried eating breakfast a few hours beforehand ?
  • debrakgoogins
    debrakgoogins Posts: 2,033 Member
    You might try Honey Stingers Organic Energy Chews. They are easier on the stomach but still give the energy you're looking for. Try them on practice runs.
  • aokoye
    aokoye Posts: 3,495 Member
    I agree with the idea of trying different types and brands of gels. There are some brands of sports nutrition that I can't tolerate (I'm looking at you Nuun) and others that work well for me. Even within brands, there are some types and flavors of energy/electrolyte products that I like and others that I don't. I don't like Clif gels but I love the ginger ale flavor of their chews.

    Trial different brands/types (gel vs chew vs other things) now so you're not in for a nasty surprise marathon day.
  • jjpptt2
    jjpptt2 Posts: 5,650 Member
    edited December 2018
    On a side note... a benefit to trying a lot of different things is that you end up with a good feel for what you can and can't tolerate (or how sensitive you are in general). That way, if you ever end up in a bind and need to take advantage of aid stations, you have an idea of what to expect from whatever nutrition they have available.
  • MaryContrary1972
    MaryContrary1972 Posts: 58 Member
    I like Snickers but everyone has a different digestion!
  • dewd2
    dewd2 Posts: 2,445 Member
    edited December 2018
    I recently started experimenting with Maurten gels (and powders). So far I like them but I've only done 2 runs with them (one with the drink and one with the gel).

    The gels are more like jello then the syrup like consistency of GU and Honeystinger. I suggest trying them (BEFORE your race - nothing new on race day).

    Good luck.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    Try different stuff. I can’t tolerate gels, but do well with chews (specifically honey stinger). But I also get tired of chewing after 15 miles or so and supplement with Tailwind. The chews and tailwind flavors I use are caffeinated. I also like RunGum for a caffeine dose without a bunch of sugar.

    I tried nontraditional fuels (applesauce pouches and things) and found carrying them was too cumbersome - particularly by the time I had as much as I needed for a longer run.

    Good luck.
  • apullum
    apullum Posts: 4,838 Member
    I ran my first half marathon on raisins. Other than having to learn how to not choke on them, and nearly crying at mile 10 when I dropped one of my precious raisins, they were nice.

    I’ve also enjoyed both Clif and Pro Bar chews. I prefer the Pro Bar ones.

    I currently prefer Clif Shot chocolate gels, because a chocolate gel that’s been warming up in my Flipbelt for an hour or two is like hot fudge. It doesn’t feel like I’m eating a gel.
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